Comedy nights, chart‑topping podcasts, national treasures and cultural icons headline this year’s Henley Literary Festival, as the 20th anniversary programme is unveiled.

Eric Idle, Baroness Theresa May, Sebastian Faulks, Sarah Wynn‑Williams and Joe Wicks join a line‑up that already includes Matt Haig, Meera Syal, Michael Morpurgo, Nigella Lawson and Tony Adams. The Festival runs 2nd–11th October with 140 in‑person and online events, with tickets on sale to Friends from 7th July and general release on 13th July.

Fane Group returns as headline sponsor, with the Phyllis Court Marquee hosting Lucy Worsley, Jon Ronson, Caitlin Moran, Sathnam Sanghera, Prue Leith and international bestsellers including Elif Shafak, Jeffrey Archer, Maggie O’Farrell and Robert Harris. Charity events supporting The Ovarian Cancer Fund and Bookmark Reading Charity feature Dawn O’Porter, Bryony Gordon and a Honk! comedy night with Helen Lederer.

Baroness May appears with Cleo Watson and Helen MacNamara for the first live edition of their Independent podcast In The Room, while a pre‑Festival pop‑up on 15 September welcomes Eric Idle and Joe Wicks.

Children’s highlights include Julia Donaldson with Gruffalo Granny, Dr Ranj Singh, Katie Kirby, Rob Biddulph and Liz Pichon. The Saga Stage at The Relais Henley features Meg Mason, Margaret Drabble, Mike Gayle, Joanne Harris, Nikita Gill, Lucian Msamati, Zahra Joya, Su Pollard and local favourites Tom Fort and Debbie McGee.

At Henley Town Hall, the Gower Cottage Brownies Stage hosts Meta whistle‑blower Sarah Wynn‑Williams and Dr Kaitlyn Regehr, plus Sir Ben Okri, Gary Kemp, Dame Maggie Aderin‑Pocock, Sophie Raworth and Lorraine Kelly. Events at both venues will be streamed live.

Festival director Harriet Reed said the 20th edition “truly has an event for everyone”, spanning art, comedy, fiction, film, food, health, history, music, politics, science, social media, sport and theatre.

Tickets will go on sale to Gold and Platinum Friends on 3rd July, Friends on 7th July and general sale on 13th July. You can find out more about becoming a Friend at henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk/memberships/ or call 01491 575 948.