This autumn, Henley Literary Festival will welcome its biggest-selling non-fiction author in its 19-year history, alongside a Poet Laureate, an Olympic gold medallist, a Women’s Prize 2025 nominee, and a Gladiator.

Supported by Fane Group for the first time, the Festival has unveiled the first speakers of its 120+ events for adults and children, running from October 4th -12th across venues in Henley-on-Thames.

Jung Chang, whose books have sold an estimated 20 million copies in more than 40 languages, joins the Festival with Fly, Wild Swans, the highly anticipated follow-up to her 1991 memoir Wild Swans, Britain’s bestselling non-fiction book. Also appearing for the first time are world-renowned historian Dame Mary Beard, former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, athletics legend Dame Denise Lewis, Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, and leading food critic and broadcaster Jay Rayner.

Children’s events will feature How to Train Your Dragon creator Cressida Cowell and Jodie Ounsley, England’s first female deaf senior rugby international and current Gladiator star, Fury. These sit alongside a schools programme featuring Sathnam Sanghera, Dermot O’Leary, Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce, and more.

Peacebuilding practitioner and Iraq expert Nussaibah Younis, whose debut novel Fundamentally was recently shortlisted for the 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction, will join fellow novelists Esther Freud and Emma Gannon in conversation. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, currently acting head of the Church of England, returns with his book on the Lord’s Prayer.

Henley Literary Festival director Harriet Reed said: “After a record-breaking 2024 Festival we can’t wait for this October, particularly welcoming so many internationally renowned speakers for the first time, alongside some familiar favourites. And we have so many more to announce in the coming months!”

CEO of The Fane Group, Alex Fane said: “We had a fantastic time at Henley last year, and we’re absolutely delighted to return in 2025 as the headline sponsor. We’re especially excited about the incredible programme ahead particularly the line-up on the Fane stage in their flagship marquee at the stunning Phyllis Court.”

Tickets go on sale to Gold and Platinum Friends on July 4th, Friends on July 8th, and general sale on July 14th.

Experience Henley is proud to partner with, and support the Henley Literary Festival.

For more details on supporting the Festival by becoming a Friend, visit henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk/memberships or call 01491 575 948.