Book lovers, get ready for a literary treat! The Henley Literary Festival is gearing up for another exciting year of author talks, panel discussions, and literary events. This popular festival takes place each autumn in the charming town of Henley-on-Thames.
The 2024 Henley Literary Festival will run from 28 September to 6 October, featuring both in-person and online events to reach book enthusiasts near and far. Venues like the Henley Town Hall and Phyllis Court will host a diverse lineup of authors, poets, and speakers. With over 100 events planned, there’s sure to be something for every reader’s taste.
This year’s festival promises an impressive roster of talent. Attendees can look forward to seeing beloved figures like Michael Palin, Pam Ayres, and Trevor McDonald share their stories and insights. Whether you’re into fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or children’s literature, the Henley Literary Festival offers a brilliant chance to connect with your favourite authors and discover new voices in the literary world.
What to Expect at the Festival
The Henley Literary Festival offers a rich tapestry of literary experiences. Attendees can look forward to engaging talks, lively performances, and encounters with beloved authors across various venues.
Diverse Events and Performances
The festival boasts a wide array of events to suit all tastes. Conversations and talks form the backbone of the programme, featuring both fiction and non-fiction authors.
Comedy shows add a dash of laughter to the mix. Families won’t want to miss the children’s events, with past appearances by Julia Donaldson, creator of the Gruffalo, and Jacqueline Wilson.
Performances might include poetry readings, dramatic interpretations of literary works, or even musical acts inspired by books. These diverse offerings ensure there’s something for everyone, from bookworms to casual readers.
Special Guests and Speakers
The festival attracts an impressive lineup of bestselling authors and beloved entertainers. Past events have featured literary giants like David Nicholls and Elif Shafak.
Attendees can expect to see:
- Renowned novelists
- Popular non-fiction writers
- Celebrities with newly published memoirs
- Up-and-coming authors making their festival debuts
Q&A sessions often follow talks, giving fans the chance to interact with their favourite writers. It’s not uncommon to spot authors mingling with festival-goers between events, creating a friendly and accessible atmosphere.
Venues and Atmosphere
The Henley Literary Festival unfolds across various charming locations in the town. Phyllis Court Club serves as a key venue, offering a picturesque setting by the Thames.
Other venues include:
- Henley Town Hall
- The Baillie Gifford Marquee
- Pop-up event spaces throughout the town
Each location adds its own character to the proceedings. The atmosphere is typically buzzing yet relaxed, with book lovers of all ages mingling between events.
Cafes and bookshops in town often get into the festival spirit, hosting book signings or smaller talks. This creates a town-wide celebration of literature that’s hard to miss.
Festival Programmes for Different Age Groups
The Henley Literary Festival offers events for all ages. Adults can enjoy talks from famous authors, while kids have fun with beloved children’s book characters.
Adult Oriented Content
Book lovers will find plenty to enjoy at the festival. Bestselling authors like Robert Harris and Paula Hawkins often appear. They chat about their latest works and writing process.
Fans of edgy fiction might catch Irvine Welsh discussing his gritty novels. For laughs, Gyles Brandreth entertains crowds with his wit.
Gardening enthusiasts can learn tips from Sarah Raven. Her talks cover creating beautiful outdoor spaces.
The festival isn’t just about fiction. It features non-fiction writers too. They speak on history, politics, and more.
Children’s Activities and Books
Kids have loads of fun at the festival. Beloved children’s authors like Julia Donaldson often visit. She might read from her popular rhyming stories.
Jacqueline Wilson fans can meet the creator of Tracy Beaker. She shares tales of her feisty characters.
Little ones love seeing Supertato come to life. The veggie superhero’s creator Paul Linnet puts on a great show.
Budding artists enjoy sessions with Rob Biddulph. He teaches kids how to draw fun characters.
The festival has interactive events too. Children can join in storytelling, crafts, and more.
Planning Your Visit
Getting ready for the Henley Literary Festival is easy and fun. Here’s what you need to know about tickets and where to stay.
Getting Tickets
Tickets for the Henley Literary Festival are in high demand. The best way to snag yours is to become a Friend of the Festival. These loyal supporters get priority booking.
Friends can book tickets before they go on sale to the public. It’s a great perk for book lovers who don’t want to miss out on popular events.
Harriet Reed-Ryan, the festival organiser, recommends booking early. Some talks sell out fast, especially for big-name authors.
You can buy tickets online or at the Henley Town Hall box office. The staff there are happy to help you choose events.
Accommodation and Local Amenities
Henley-on-Thames is a charming town with lots of places to stay. You’ll find cosy B&Bs, fancy hotels, and everything in between.
Phyllis Court is a popular spot for festival-goers. It’s right on the river and hosts some events too.
The town has plenty of cafes and restaurants for between-event snacks. Many are within walking distance of the festival venues.
Don’t forget to explore the local bookshops. They often have signed copies of books by festival authors.
If you’re staying for a few days, take a stroll along the Thames Path. It’s a lovely way to unwind after a day of literary chats.
Behind the Scenes
The Henley Literary Festival comes to life through tireless work and generous support. Dedicated organisers and loyal sponsors make the magic happen each year.
Meet the Organisers
The festival’s success rests on the shoulders of a passionate team. Harriet Reed-Ryan, a key organiser, works year-round to bring top authors to Henley. She coordinates with publishers and handles logistics.
Volunteers play a huge role too. Many are ‘friends of the festival’, giving their time to help things run smoothly. They sell tickets, usher guests, and even drive authors to venues.
The iconic Henley Town Hall serves as festival HQ. It’s a hive of activity in the weeks leading up to the event. Staff and volunteers buzz about, finalising schedules and solving last-minute hiccups.
Sponsorship and Support
Big names back the festival financially. Baillie Gifford, an investment firm, is a major sponsor. Their support allows for bigger venues and more famous authors.
Local businesses chip in too. They offer goods, services, and cash to keep the festival running. In return, they get exposure to thousands of book lovers.
Sponsors often get perks like priority booking for hot events. It’s a win-win that keeps the festival growing each year.
Celebrity chefs like Rick Stein sometimes sponsor food-related talks. It adds flavour to the literary mix and draws in foodie crowds.
Notable Highlights from Previous Years
The Henley Literary Festival has hosted many big names over the years. In past events, fans got to see some real stars of the book world up close.
One standout was when Rupert Everett joined the festival. The actor and writer charmed crowds with tales from his colourful life and career.
Crime writing legend Lynda La Plante also made a splash at a previous festival. She kept audiences on the edge of their seats talking about her gripping novels.
Sports fans weren’t left out either. Olympic medallist Iwan Thomas shared inspiring stories from his athletics career.
Local talents got their time to shine too. Anthony Wootton and Jim Donaghue, both Henley authors, gave talks that proved popular with festival-goers.
The festival has also highlighted important causes. Toni Ilsley, a campaigner for childhood cancer awareness, spoke movingly about her experiences.
These past events show how the festival brings together a mix of famous faces, local voices, and important topics. It’s this variety that keeps people coming back year after year.
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