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 Henley debut on the opening night of Friday October 2, while Julia Donaldson, the UK’s bestselling author of all time, returns for the first time since the inaugural 2007 Festival on the final day, Sunday October 11.
With some 140 conversations, performances, workshops and talks for adults and children over the 10 days, many more speakers will be announced in the coming months.
Nigella, the multi-award-winning author of 12 international bestsellers including How to Eat: The Pleasures and Principles of Good Food and Cook, Eat, Repeat: Ingredients, Recipes and Stories will reflect on her career to date at the Fane Marquee at Phyllis Court.
The Festival’s flagship venue will also host Stick Man and Room on the Broom creator Julia Donaldson with the long-awaited third Gruffalo book Granny Gruffalo.
We are delighted to also be returning to Henley Town Hall and luxury boutique hotel The Relais Henley, with Shiplake College returning as the children’s sponsor.
Tickets will go on sale to Gold and Platinum Friends on July 3, Friends on July 7 and general sale on July 13.