News

Several of our most popular speakers will return this October, alongside some exciting first timers. Historian Lucy Worsley has sold out each of her talks since first coming to the Festival in 2012; in Queens and Kings she reflects on her two decades as royal palaces chief curator. Award-winning novelist Elif Shafak set the record for longest adults book signing queue …

Festival favourites return and exciting debuts for our 20th Edition Read More »

A 105-year-old World War Two veteran, an Oscar-nominated novelist and England’s Euro 96 captain will all feature at this year’s Henley Literary Festival. Hamnet author Maggie O’Farrell, recently nominated for an Oscar for adapting her international bestseller, will appear with her highly anticipated next novel Land, published next month.  Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell, one of the last surviving Mosquito pilots, …

Bestsellers, England captain and oldest-ever speaker join Henley Literary Festival line-up Read More »

A pair of the country’s best-loved – and internationally bestselling – writers are the first names announced for this autumn’s Henley Literary Festival. Supported for the second year running by Fane Group, we celebrate our landmark 20th edition from October 2-11 at venues across Henley-on-Thames. We are thrilled to announce Great British Bake Off judge Nigella Lawson will make her …

Nigella Lawson and Julia Donaldson announced for our 20th edition Read More »

This year’s Festival will be the biggest yet as it stretches to 10 days for the first time in our 19-year history, with a starry double bill on night one followed by exciting names from fiction, food, football and more. Dame Joanna Lumley will open proceedings on Friday October 3 sharing some of her favourite …

More names for 2025 line-up Read More »

Supported by Fane Group for the first time this year, we are excited to announce the first few speakers of the 120+ events for adults and children that will take place from October 4-12 at venues across Henley-on-Thames. Jung Chang, with estimated global sales of 20 million in more than 40 languages, comes to the …

First names for 2025 line-up Read More »

We’re delighted to share the full programme for the 2024 Henley Literary Festival.