The Henley Literary Festival returns for its 2025 edition from 4-12 October, marking a significant milestone as the longest programme in the festival’s 19-year history. This year’s festival expands to 10 days for the first time, featuring an impressive lineup that includes bestselling authors, television personalities, and cultural icons across fiction, non-fiction, and specialist topics.
Following the success of 2024’s record-breaking attendance of over 24,500 ticket sales, the 2025 festival promises an even more ambitious programme. The event will showcase notable figures including John Cleese discussing Fawlty Towers, Dame Joanna Lumley, and bestselling author Elizabeth Day, alongside poets, sports personalities, and crime writers.
The festival caters to diverse audiences through various programme formats, from intimate author talks to large-scale events, whilst maintaining its commitment to education through dedicated schools programming. With both in-person events across Henley-on-Thames venues and online access options, the festival continues to expand its reach to literary enthusiasts worldwide.
The 2025 Henley Literary Festival runs for 10 days from 4th-12th October, marking its biggest programme in 19 years. The festival takes place in Henley-on-Thames with Fane Group as the new headline sponsor and Phyllis Court serving as venue sponsor.
The 2025 Henley Literary Festival takes place from 4th-12th October 2025. This marks the first time the festival extends to 10 days in its 19-year history.
The festival occurs in the town of Henley-on-Thames. Events run both in-person and online, allowing global participation.
Phyllis Court serves as the proud venue sponsor for 2025. The venue hosts many of the festival’s talks and events throughout the programme.
The festival also features exciting pop-up events throughout the year. These additional events complement the main October programme.
Fane Group supports the Henley Literary Festival for the first time in 2025. This represents a significant new partnership for the festival’s biggest year yet.
Phyllis Court continues as the venue sponsor. The organisation has supported the festival for multiple years running.
The festival works with various partners to deliver over 120 events. These partnerships help bring together authors, sponsors, and literary enthusiasts.
The programme launch took place at The Relais courtyard. Specially invited guests included sponsors, partners, authors, and Platinum and Gold members.
The Henley Literary Festival celebrates its 19th year in 2025. The festival has grown significantly since its inception.
The 2024 festival reached record numbers with over 24,500 tickets sold to public events. Additionally, 2,344 school children attended in person.
Over 10,000 people watched online globally in 2024. This included viewers from schools and care homes around the world.
The 2025 programme features 120+ events for both adults and children. This represents the festival’s most ambitious schedule to date.
The festival attracts leading authors and speakers annually. The 2025 lineup includes the biggest-selling non-fiction author in the festival’s history alongside the Poet Laureate.
The 2025 festival brings together household names like Dame Mary Berry and Sir Michael Palin alongside acclaimed poets including Poet Laureate Simon Armitage. The lineup spans debut writers, television personalities, sporting legends, and internationally renowned historians.
The festival’s star attractions include Dame Mary Berry, the beloved baking icon who has become a national treasure. Comedy legend John Cleese joins fellow Monty Python member Sir Michael Palin, creating a powerful double bill of British entertainment royalty.
Graham Norton brings his distinctive wit to the literary stage. The lineup also features Joanna Lumley, whose career spans decades of acclaimed performances.
Television presenter Alexander Armstrong adds his familiar voice to the proceedings. Alan Davies represents the comedy circuit with his sharp observational humour.
These headline acts demonstrate the festival’s ability to attract Britain’s most recognisable faces. Their presence ensures strong attendance whilst maintaining the event’s literary credibility.
Simon Armitage leads the poetry contingent as the current Poet Laureate. His appearance represents the highest level of British poetic achievement.
Ben Okri, the Booker Prize winner, brings international literary prestige to the festival. His presence highlights the event’s commitment to serious literature alongside popular entertainment.
Hollie McNish and Salena Godden represent contemporary poetry voices. Both poets have built significant followings through performance and social media engagement.
Esther Freud and Emma Gannon offer different perspectives on modern writing. Their inclusion shows the festival’s support for emerging and established female voices.
Denise Lewis, the Olympic gold medallist, brings sporting excellence to the literary world. Her transition from athletics to writing demonstrates the festival’s broad appeal.
Raymond Blanc, the celebrated chef, represents the growing food writing genre. His culinary expertise translates into engaging literary content.
Jay Rayner combines food criticism with entertainment value. His restaurant reviews and broadcasting work make him a natural festival choice.
Kaleb Cooper has gained fame through his agricultural expertise and television appearances. His presence reflects the festival’s embrace of countryside perspectives.
Television personalities from beloved programmes add entertainment value whilst maintaining literary connections through their published works.
Mary Beard stands out as Britain’s most recognisable classical historian. Her television work and academic writing have made ancient history accessible to mainstream audiences.
Jung Chang, author of the bestselling memoir Wild Swans, offers crucial Chinese historical perspective. Her work provides insights into modern Chinese history through personal narrative.
The Archbishop of York represents religious and ethical viewpoints. His inclusion demonstrates the festival’s commitment to diverse philosophical perspectives.
These speakers bring global awareness to the Henley audience. Their expertise spans continents and centuries, enriching the festival’s intellectual offerings.
The festival offers over 120 events featuring celebrity speakers like John Cleese discussing Fawlty Towers and Dame Joanna Lumley. Events take place both online and in-person across various venues in Henley.
The 2025 programme features high-profile speakers from entertainment, literature, and television. John Cleese will present a special pop-up event about Fawlty Towers on 7 November. Sir Michael Palin joins the lineup with discussions about Venezuela.
Dame Joanna Lumley and bestselling author Elizabeth Day headline the fiction segment. Graham Norton and Oti Mabuse bring television personalities to the festival stage.
Notable speakers include:
The festival spans 10 days for the first time in its 19-year history. This makes it the longest programme yet offered.
The festival provides direct access to authors through signing sessions and interactive workshops. These intimate events allow readers to meet their favourite writers face-to-face.
Authors participate in book signings following their main events. This gives attendees chances to get personalised copies of their books.
Workshop sessions cover various writing topics and genres. Children’s authors offer special sessions for young readers during school programmes.
The festival attracts over 100 speakers across different categories. This includes fiction writers, food experts, and football personalities.
The 2025 festival offers both digital and physical attendance options. Over 10,000 people watched online events in 2024, including international audiences.
Schools can access special programmes remotely or in-person. Topics include dinosaurs, inventing, the British Empire, and rapping for different key stages.
Event formats include:
The digital option expanded the festival’s reach significantly. In 2024, over 2,344 school children attended in-person whilst thousands more joined online.
Venues across Henley host the physical events. The festival sold over 24,500 tickets to public events in 2024, reaching its biggest audience ever.
The 2025 Schools’ Programme runs from 6th-10th October and features topics including dinosaurs, inventing, the British Empire and rapping. Each student receives a book as part of their ticket, with options to attend in person or watch online for free.
Frank Cottrell Boyce returns as Children’s Laureate with his latest novel The Blockbusters! His sessions take year 6 pupils on a Hollywood adventure.
The programme covers Key Stages 1 and 2 with varied content. Authors present live sessions both in-person and through livestreaming.
Zanna Davidson presents “Izzy the Inventor and the Elf Inspectors” on Tuesday 7th October 2025. This livestream event focuses on invention and creativity themes.
The festival provides a platform to inspire reading among children. Director Harriet Reed emphasises how this year’s authors will spark children’s love of books.
Schools can choose from multiple events throughout the week. Each session connects directly to curriculum topics whilst maintaining entertainment value.
The festival creates programming suitable for families attending together. Events blend education with entertainment to engage different age groups.
Online viewing options make sessions accessible worldwide. In 2024, over 10,000 people watched globally, including schools and care homes.
Interactive elements encourage participation during author sessions. Children can engage directly with writers about their books and creative processes.
The programme includes hands-on activities related to featured books. These sessions help children connect more deeply with stories and characters.
Primary schools book sessions as educational trips. The programme specifically targets curriculum-relevant topics like history, science, and literacy.
Teachers receive supporting materials for classroom follow-up activities. This extends learning beyond the festival dates.
The 2024 festival reached 2,344 school children in person. Numbers show growing engagement with educational programming.
Schools can access events through livestreaming technology. This removes geographical barriers and reduces travel costs for participating institutions.
Partnership arrangements help schools integrate visits into their academic planning. The festival coordinates timing with school term schedules.
The 2025 Henley Literary Festival runs from 4th-12th October, with tickets available through primary agent Fane and the festival’s dedicated box office. The festival offers both in-person and online attendance options, with venues including Henley Town Hall and Phyllis Court Club.
Before the Festival:
During the Festival:
The festival expects high demand based on 2024’s record attendance of over 24,500 tickets sold. Students can attend either online or in-person, with each student receiving a book as part of their ticket. Online viewing is available free for some events.
The festival takes place across multiple venues in Henley-on-Thames. The main locations include Henley Town Hall and a large marquee at Phyllis Court Club situated by the Thames.
Venue Features:
The festival reached over 10,000 online viewers worldwide in 2024, including schools and care homes. This hybrid approach ensures accessibility for audiences who cannot attend in person.
Specific membership and supporter programme details for 2025 have not yet been announced. The festival typically offers various supporter tiers that provide benefits such as priority booking and exclusive events.
Interested supporters should contact the festival directly through their box office for information about membership options. The Henley Literary Office can provide details about supporting the festival throughout the year, including special pop-up events that occur between annual festivals.
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