Henley Literary Festival returns this year in person and online and will run from Saturday October 2nd to Sunday October 10th.

Harriet Reed Ryan, Festival Events and Programme Director said, “We are all very excited about the festival coming back. We have been very fortunate that our headline sponsors Baillie Gifford have stayed with us. They have supported the Festival since 2011 and their loyalty has been invaluable, and we simply couldn’t do it without them – especially over the past 12 months.”

In 2020 it was the most far-reaching literary festival yet with nearly 50 events online including John Grisham, Nadiya Hussain, Graham Norton, Clare Balding and Tim Peake.

“It was a real test, but we received tremendous support from audiences and authors and interviewers”, said Harriet.

Michelle McLeod, Sponsorship Manager at Baillie Gifford said: “Last year was challenging, but the festival team embraced the digital environment and are using the experience to enhance this year’s programme. Our new venue will bring a different aspect to the festival and provide flexibility, with many events being filmed and live streamed. This is fantastic for both in-person and online audiences who will have the opportunity to hear from the brilliant and varied line-up that Henley Literary Festival always delivers.”    

This year’s event which takes place over 9 days, will see the return to Christ Church and Henley Town Hall as major venues.  But new in 2021 is the Baillie Gifford Marquee, which will be erected in the grounds of Phyllis Court Club and will have a capacity of 500 – making it the Festival’s biggest venue to date. Should social distancing be necessary it will still be able to accommodate 350.

“We have been thinking about a marquee for a few years as we so frequently sell out, and with the need to consider social distancing this seemed like the perfect time. And what a beautiful setting – it is completely in keeping with the other iconic Henley venues we’re using. We are so lucky that Phyllis Court, the Town Council and the team at Christ Church have been so supportive during such tough times for us all,” said Harriet. Other venues will also be announced nearer the time of the programme being released.

Commenting on the exciting partnership, Chris Hogan, CEO and Club Secretary at Phyllis Court said: “We’re looking forward to hosting one of the UK’s leading literary festivals at the Club in October. It is a highlight of the social calendar which we are proud to be a part of, especially as the festival embarks on its new venture in 2021.”

“The live festival returns with a full range of events for all ages and interests. After the success of the online festival, we are delighted to have a streaming element from at least one of our venues making this the biggest festival we’ve ever had.”

The team have been working on the programme since January and will announce the full line-up in the coming months.

For more information or to sign up as a Friend of the Festival visit Henley Literary Festival