An outstanding final line-up has been announced for the 18th Henley Literary Festival with with best sellers, national treasures and local authors abound among over 120 events for adults and children at this years festival. Be prepared get booking your finger ready to snaffle up tickets for your favourite authors.

Trevor McDonald, Susie Dent, Rick Stein, Roddy Doyle and Fearne Cotton are the latest names to have joined the list of exceptional authors who will be appearing at Henley Town Hall and Phyllis Court Club from 28th September – 6th October. From fashion icons to comedians, historians to gardeners, entertainers, sport stars, broadcasters, chefs, scientists, actors, screen writers and not forgetting events for children of all ages.

Bestselling authors Paula Hawkins, David Nicholls, Elif Shafak, Bella Mackie, Roddy Doyle, Jodi Picoult, Robert Harris, Kate Mosse, Jacqueline Wilson, Irvine Welsh, Santa Montefiore, Nikki May and Lynda La Plante all appear, alongside entertainers and broadcasters Michael Palin, Trevor McDonald, Sara Cox, Rupert Everett, Zeinab Badawi, Gyles Brandreth, Susie Dent, Celia Imrie and Fearne Cotton.

Events for children of all ages include Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson, Paralympian Jonnie Peacock, Supertato creator Sue Hendra, Rob Biddulph and Katie Kirby.

Strictly judges Anton du Beke and Shirley Ballas will each hit the Henley stage, as will beloved poets Pam Ayres, Roger McGough and Donna Ashworth. From the world of sport Henry Blofeld, Iwan Thomas, Gabby Logan, F1 expert Will Buxton and Felix Francis all feature, as do comedians Julian Clary, Helen Lederer, Danny Wallace, Rosie Holt and Celebrity Juice star Leigh Francis.

Thousands of years of history will be covered by Max Hastings, William Dalrymple, Alison Weir, Jonathan Dimbleby, Richard Dannatt, Clare Mulley and Damien Lewis, while on current affairs there is Liam Fox, Will Hutton, Rachel Clarke, Tom Burgis, Iain Dale, Polly Toynbee and Nadim Zahawi.

Gardening experts Sarah Raven, Carol Klein and Rachel de Thame share their wisdom, Rick Stein, Tim Spector and Tom Parker-Bowles discuss food and Zandra Rhodes looks back on her life in fashion. Local authors speaking this year include Cesca Major, Anthony Wootton, Kirsty Dougal, Jim Donaghue and Toni Ilsley.

The Festival will be followed in November by a series of pop-up events including David and Yinka Olusoga, Wayne Sleep, the Reverend Richard Coles and Marcus Wareing.

Priority booking for Friends of the Festival opens on 9th July and tickets go on general sale on 15th July.

There is still time to become a Friend for priority booking – membership is available via henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk and on 01491 575948 (10am-2pm Monday -Thursday).

The 2024 Henley Literary Festival runs from 28^th September – 6^th October.

Photography credits:

• Trevor McDonald – Nick Cregan
• Rick Stein – James Murphy
• Fearne Cotton – Alexandra Cameron
• Michael Palin – Getty Images
• Susie Dent – Jamie Simonds
• Rupert Everett – Getty Images
• Will Buxton – James Moy
• Wayne Sleep – Steve Ullathorne
• Marcus Wareing – Matt Russell