2026 FULL PROGRAMME ANNOUNCEMENT
Alexei Sayle | Andrew Child | Andrew Davies | Anneka Rice | AP McCoy | Ashley James | Blake Morrison | Boyd Hilton | Caitlin Moran | Cariad Lloyd | Celia Imrie | Charlie Higson | Craig Revel Horwood | Dave Rowntree | David Kynaston | David Larbi | David Olusoga | David Szalay | Deepika Chopra | Elif Shafak | Fearne Cotton | Frank Cottrell-Boyce | Frank Gardner | Giles Yeo | Greg James | Greg Wise | Gyles Brandreth | Helen Fielding | Helen Garner | Hugo Rifkind | Ian Botham | Ian Hislop | Ian Rankin | Jack Edwards | Jeffrey Archer | Jill Dawson | Joe Marler | John Kampfner | John Robins | Julian Lloyd Webber | Juliet Stevenson | Justin Webb | Katherine Parkinson | Katherine Ryan | Kathy Lette | Lee Child | Leigh Lawson | Liz Earle | Lucy Caldwell | Lucy Porter | Lucy Worsley | Maggie Aderin | Maggie O’Farrell | Margaret Hodge | Marina Hyde | Mary Beard | Mary Berry | Mat Osman | Matt Haig | Meera Syal | Mel Giedroyc | Michael Morpurgo | Michael Whitehall | Nadia Murad | Naomi Ishiguro | Nigel Planer | Philippa Perry | Poorna Bell | Prue Leith | Rachel Parris | Rachael Stirling | Reece Shearsmith | Richard Coles | Richard Osman | Robert Harris | Robert Peston | Russell T Davies | Sajid Javid | Samira Ahmed | Sandi Toksvig | Sarah Churchwell | Sara Pascoe | Sathnam Sanghera | Sebastian Faulks | Simon Armitage | Susie Dent | Tracy Borman | Will Gompertz | Yann Martel | William Hague
GUEST CURATORS:
Candice Carty-Williams | Matt Arlidge
FAMILY AND YOUNG ADULT PROGRAMME:
Andy Day | Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé | | Harriet Muncaster | Jodie Ounsley | Katie Kirby | Liz Pichon | Maggie Aderin | Michael Morpurgo | Michael Rosen | MC Grammar | Nadia Shireen | Rob Biddulph | Russell Kane
In the National Year of Reading — the UK’s biggest reading campaign in a generation — The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival returns 9-18 October with an unmissable programme of more than 500 events, bringing to life the stories that matter.
The world's longest-running literature festival continues to lead the way in celebrating the written and spoken word. Across 10 packed days, this year’s programme brings together the most exciting new voices in fiction alongside literary greats, stars of stage and screen, incisive political thinkers and cultural commentators, as well as a vibrant family and schools programme, performances and literary happenings scattered across the town.
World-famous names will appear alongside brand-new voices, reflecting the Festival’s commitment to celebrating today's leading names while championing the writers, thinkers and storytellers of the future. Bringing together international participants from across the globe, both in person and online, the Festival encourages attendees to Read the World together and reinforces its role as a platform for understanding the world around us and exploring the major issues shaping our lives today.
Through conversations, debates and storytelling, the programme will inspire people of all ages to rediscover the joy of reading as part of our everyday lives, while also tackling the most pressing cultural, political and social questions of our time, offering audiences fresh perspectives, informed discussion and unforgettable encounters with some of the world's most influential voices.
Collage of festival attendees at Cheltenham Literature Festival, credit Cheltenham Festivals and Still Moving Media.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
At a time when reading for pleasure among children and adults is at its lowest, Cheltenham Literature Festival will celebrate and challenge what it means to be a 'reader'. Whether Festival-goers enjoy delving into the world-building of gaming, interrogating the latest breaking news story or listening to the latest audiobook topping the charts, the Festival programme will reflect the many ways people connect with stories, ideas and knowledge, championing the belief that there is no single way to be a reader.
VOICEBOX, which launched its first podcast series earlier this year, returns with a dedicated space and a vibrant free programme aimed at 18–30s that amplifies bold voices, sparks big conversations and inspires change. Featuring established names including actor and poet Lucas Jones, Leave a Message podcast hosts Ally & G and Heartstopper actor and activist Bradley Riches alongside emerging artists, the programme spans everything from new writing and pop culture to wellbeing and society. Continuing its commitment to talent development, VOICEBOX sees the return of The Bookseller's New Adult Book Prize event and, new for 2026, a spotlight on authors from the Women's Prize Discoveries writer development programme, together with a range of activities created in collaboration with local creatives. The full line-up will be announced on 4 September in the VOICEBOX zine and online.
On the Rise Collective, Cheltenham Festivals’ community of emerging creatives aged 18–30, continue to add their voice and creativity to the charity’s Festivals and programmes. At this year’s Literature Festival, audiences can enjoy an evening of storytelling, myth and fairytales followed by a hands-on creative workshop, curated by the group.
Families from Gloucestershire and beyond can enjoy a fantastic day out at the Festival. Alongside exciting interactive book shows such as The Magic Faraway Tree and Who’s the Football GOAT?, there is plenty to enjoy for free. Step into the Story Shack for cosy storytelling sessions, get creative in The Den, and put your curiosity to the test with the Little People, BIG DREAMS® Trail around the Festival site. Leave with a head full of stories, ideas and inspiration, and perhaps a few new favourite books to take home too.
Alongside ticketed events across the Festival’s many stages, including The Times and Sunday Times Forum, The Cunard Stage and the Garden Theatre, Festival-goers can enjoy a day out to explore everything the Festival Village has to offer, with 30% of the overall programme free of charge. This includes drop-in family events, The Snug, The Huddle and VOICEBOX events on site, and around town activities ahead of the Festival taking place across Cheltenham town. Times Radio will broadcast live interviews from Times Square, so passing visitors can enjoy hearing further conversation from their favourite speakers. The Literature for Schools programme features more than 50 author talks and careers events for pupils from reception through to sixth form, designed to inspire a lifelong love of reading, writing and creativity. Meanwhile, the Family Programme offers more than 70 book shows and workshops, covering everything from animation and engineering to Aardman model making, inspiring life stories, football and fantasy.
These offerings are a core part of the Festival's commitment to widening access to the arts. Each year, Cheltenham Festivals inspires more than 12,000 school children through its Literature for Schools programme as part of its year-round mission to bring joy, spark curiosity, connect communities and inspire change. For aspiring writers, there are workshops offering practical advice and inspiration, from writing historical fiction and crafting a pitch to self-editing and developing creative confidence.
Collage of festival attendees at Cheltenham Literature Festival, credit Cheltenham Festivals and Still Moving Media.
CHAMPIONING THE FUTURE OF READING
Now in its second year since relaunching, The Big Read forms part of the Festival's wider mission to bring communities together through stories and conversation, while offering a taste of what audiences can expect from this year's Festival programme. Women's Prize for Fiction winner Virginia Evans' The Correspondent is this year's Big Read title. A witty, moving and deeply human novel about loneliness, connection and the power of reaching out, which invites readers into a world of letters, secrets and unexpected friendships, making it the perfect shared read for this year's Big Read campaign.
Cheltenham Writes Back is an around town project delivered in association with Cheltenham BID, and inspired by The Big Read. More details will be announced in September as part of the Festival’s Free Programme. This year the charity will also partner with Gloucestershire’s Year of Reading (GYOR), a shared initiative to celebrate the joy of reading and build on Gloucestershire’s strong reading culture. Alongside The Big Read, the Festival continues to invest in the next generation of writers, poets and readers, including initiatives such as The Scribbled Self and Words That Burn.
This year will also see the launch of the Festival's new Reading for Families Project, kindly supported by The Rausing Trust, designed to encourage a lifelong love of reading. Building on the success of Reading Teachers = Reading Pupils (RTRP), Cheltenham Festivals' flagship outreach programme, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the project extends the charity’s commitment to inspiring a love of reading beyond the classroom and into family life, helping to create communities of readers across Gloucestershire. The Scribbled Self celebrates the power of writing to support wellbeing, showcasing creative work from secondary school students across Gloucestershire. Through poetry, stories and personal reflections, the project encourages young people to explore self-expression and highlights the positive role that writing can play in supporting mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Write Now is a powerful exploration of the realities of school exclusion and its wider impact on young people's lives. Through poetry, it creates a platform for voices that are too often unheard, sharing lived experiences and encouraging conversation around exclusion, inequality and opportunity. Booking for the Festival opens to Cheltenham Festivals Members on Thursday 27 August and public booking opens on Thursday 3 September.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
Collage (left) Elif Shafak, (top right) Victoria Hislop, (bottom right) Sebastian Faulks
FICTION
This year’s fiction programme is packed with literary stars, global voices and some of the most exciting new names in contemporary writing. From internationally acclaimed novelists to bestselling storytellers, audiences can hear from some of the most influential voices in fiction. Elif Shafak returns with her ambitious new novel In One Brief Moment All Eternity, while Victoria Hislop discusses her captivating new book, The Wine-Dark Sea. Maggie O’Farrell introduces her latest novel, Land, inspired by her own family’s history. Sebastian Faulks discusses Farewell to Eden, his moving portrait of post-war Britain, and Life of Pi author Yann Martel explores his new novel, Son of Nobody. Bestselling storyteller Jeffrey Archer joins Times Radio broadcaster and Labour peer Ayesha Hazarika to discuss Adam and Eve, his ambitious final novel.
Elsewhere, Matt Haig returns with his latest life-affirming novel, while 2025 Booker Prize winner David Szalay explores masculinity, power and fate with his novel, Fate. Audiences can celebrate this year's Booker Prize Shortlist, with shortlisted authors joining in person and virtually. Guest Curator Candice Carty-Williams revisits the beloved character of Queenie, while Lionel Shriver introduces her new novel, A Better Life. Double Women’s Prize winner Barbara Kingsolver receives this year’s Sunday Times Award for Literary Excellence and discusses her landmark new novel Partita. Acclaimed novelists Kate Atkinson and Mick Herron come together to discuss Atkinson’s latest novel, Our Nobel Selves, while Louise Kennedy and Donal Ryan examine themes of coming-of-age, family and belonging through their powerful new works.
The Festival continues its commitment to international fiction and emerging voices. Literary Explorer in Residence Ann Morgan talks to one of China’s most distinctive contemporary novelists, Ning Ken, in a rare UK appearance, while Nao-cola Yamazaki discusses her modern classic Don’t Laugh at Other People’s Sex Lives. Spanish novelist Sara Mesa examines family, control and morality and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Hernan Diaz presents his new novel Ply. Cécile Pin returns with the sweeping Celestial Lights, while bestselling sci-fi phenomenon Pierce Brown makes his Cheltenham debut to discuss his critically acclaimed Red Rising saga.
Madeline Cash and Stacey Yu discuss their wildly original debuts, while audiences can get an exclusive preview of some of next year's most anticipated first novels from writers including Abigail Avis, Niamh Connolly, Idrissa Simmonds-Nastili, Frankie Zwick, Marianne Levy, Bethia Hale, Jo Beaden, Renny Gong, Rosa Friend, Keith Jarrett, Georgia Pactat and Lauren Mwale. Imani Thompson and Leodora Darlington talk about their first novels, and the annual New Voices Spotlight also returns, celebrating some of 2026’s hottest emerging literary talents, including Eden McKenzie-Goddard, Divya Maniar, Rebecca Perry and Monika Radojevic.
Short fiction is celebrated with International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq and BBC National Short Story Award winner Lucy Caldwell, while Dean Atta and Kiran Millwood Hargrave explore love, identity and the lives we might have lived. Stephanie Sy-Quia discusses her acclaimed debut A Private Man, and novelist and musician Willy Vlautin joins Rónán Hession for a conversation about his moving new novel The Left and the Lucky, followed by a special live musical performance.
Collage (top left) Ian Hislop, (bottom left) Penny Mordaunt, (right) William Hague
CURRENT AFFAIRS AND POLITICS
The Festival explores many of the major issues facing society today, championing dynamic and nuanced discussion. In 2026 Ian Hislop marks an extraordinary 40 years as editor of Private Eye. In this exclusive conversation with Times Radio's Ayesha Hazarika, he looks back on four decades of fearless journalism, landmark investigations and political scoops and the constant challenge of keeping satire sharp.
The Times Debate: Brexit: Triumph or Tragedy? panel will discuss if the Brexit campaign delivered on its promises to the British people or permanently damaged our prospects. The Times columnist Fraser Nelson, former Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt, economist Vicky Pryce and Anand Menon of UK in a Changing Europe join Times Radio’s John Pienaar to consider the real impacts of Brexit on Britain. In the Who Runs Britain? panel event the FT’s Whitehall Editor Lucy Fisher, campaigning MP Jess Phillips, the author and historian Anthony Seldon and the Institute for Government’s Hannah White reflect on a decade of unprecedented political upheaval in a thought-provoking discussion.
In this special Cheltenham conversation, Chancellor of Oxford University, former Foreign Secretary and The Times columnist William Hague shares the books he would most like to be cast away with and reflects on the writing that has shaped his imagination, judgement and public life. Former Conservative Cabinet minister Sajid Javid talks to former Labour Cabinet minister Alan Johnson about growing up in 1970s Britain and his extraordinary journey from adversity to the heart of British public life. Margaret Hodge, the former Labour MP and now life peer, reflects on over five decades in public life; the victories and mistakes that shaped her career and shares her enduring belief that politics can be a force for justice, change and a better world.
Ahead of the pivotal US elections on 3 November, The Sunday Times Debate: Trump and the Midterms panel event with The Sunday Times Editor Ben Taylor, Republicans Overseas spokesperson Sarah Elliott, Washington Editor Katy Balls and writer and columnist Mark Urban take stock of the halfway point of Donald Trump’s second presidency. Two and a half centuries after the Declaration of Independence, America at 250 examines the past, present and future of the United States. Journalist Stephanie Baker, historian Sarah Churchwell and former British ambassador to the United States Kim Darroch join broadcaster and former BBC North America Editor Justin Webb to reflect on the challenges and opportunities that will shape its next chapter.
In global politics, former Director of Chatham House Robin Niblett leads a conversation with Director of the NATO Defence College Research Division Florence Gaub, foreign affairs correspondent Gideon Rachman and former British ambassador to the United States Kim Darroch that examines whether the international community is headed towards the next world war. Elsewhere, national security expert Elisabeth Braw and award-winning investigative journalist Bojan Pancevski ask whether the deep sea is becoming the next geopolitical frontline, examining the high-stakes fragility of the undersea cables and pipelines that sustain our world.
Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter whose arrest in Russia became an international cause célèbre, recounts his detention by the FSB on false espionage charges, his time in Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo prison and the geopolitical forces that led to his eventual release in his memoir This Cursed Beautiful Land. Working in conflict zones demands exceptional courage, resilience and trust. In this unique conversation, The Times Special Correspondent Anthony Loyd and photographer Jack Hill join Alice Thomson to discuss reporting from some of the world’s most dangerous places. Drawing on assignments they have undertaken together in Ukraine, they reflect on the brutality of war, the humanity that endures within it, and the responsibility of bearing witness. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nadia Murad, whose world was shattered when Islamic State fighters attacked her village, shares her extraordinary story of strength, perseverance and survival with The Sunday Times Chief Foreign Correspondent Christina Lamb.
Collage (left) Simon Armitage, (top right) Rachel Joyce, (bottom right) Paul de Zulueta
CLASSIC LITERATURE
Literary heritage and timeless storytelling are celebrated across the programme, from Elif Shafak and Simon Armitage's exploration of The Epic of Gilgamesh - one of humanity's oldest surviving stories - to events marking major literary anniversaries including 300 years of Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels and 250 years of Jane Austen's enduring influence on culture and popular imagination. Audiences can enjoy the comedy sensation Austentatious and discover how Austen's works continue to inspire new adaptations with Rachel Joyce, Tracey Neale and Juliet Stevenson. Acclaimed translator Daniel Hahn shares fascinating insight into how Shakespeare's language is reimagined for readers around the world and Daphne du Maurier’s grandson, Paul de Zulueta offers a rare and intimate portrait of one of Britain’s most celebrated writers. In a light-hearted debate, we ask Who Would Win the Literary Traitors?
FOOD AND DRINK
At Cheltenham’s rooftop restaurant, The Nook on Five, Festival-goers can enjoy a special series of events. Sunday Times wine columnist Will Lyons hosts an evening of fine wine and conversation with bestselling crime writer Ian Rankin. Enjoy a delicious three-course dinner in their company, with Will's selection of perfectly matched wines. Wine expert Olly Smith uncorks his debut crime novel – a deliciously twisty whodunnit set among the vineyards of Sussex with a specially selected wine tasting.
Alongside her extraordinary career in food, Mary Berry reveals her second great love: gardening. In conversation with comedian and former Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc, she will share seasonal wisdom, personal anecdotes and beautiful photographs from her own garden and introduces her forthcoming cookbook full of recipes designed for ease, reliability and flavour.
Discover the magic of fermentation with award-winning chef Rachel de Thample. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience exploring food, sustainability and seasonal cooking, Rachel reveals how simple techniques can transform everyday ingredients, reduce waste and unlock incredible new flavours. Philosopher Julian Baggini and a coffee expert come together to explore the history and deeper meaning behind coffee.
ART AND DESIGN
In the year of David Hockney’s passing, Will Gompertz is joined by art critic and author James Cahill and writer and Hockney's long-time collaborator Martin Gayford to celebrate his extraordinary life, work and legacy. Frida Kahlo is one of the most influential cultural figures of all time. From her formative years in Mexico City to the accident that transformed her life and art, Kahlo’s paintings offer an unflinching vision of pain, identity, politics and selfhood. Art critic and writer Hettie Judah, artist Luisa-Maria MacCormack and author and curator Chloe Sayer explore the life, work and enduring legacy of this inimitable artist with curator Jo Baring.
Marking 250 years since John Constable’s birth, art historian Susan Owens follows Constable through the seasons, tracing the rhythms of the artist’s year to offer an unconventional perspective on this beloved figure. Curators Teresa Krasny and Karen Serres offer an unmatched glimpse into Impressionist artist Claude Monet’s life through his own words and letters. The Nazi exhibition of ‘Degenerate Art’ in 1937 was meant to show all that had gone wrong with Germany, though it is now regarded as one of the most fascinating exhibitions in art history. Art historian John-Paul Stonard leads a tour through the crowded vaults of the Hofgarten arcade.
Prize-winning philosopher Daisy Dixon explores the provocative history of artworks that have shocked, outraged and divided audiences, from ancient artefacts and Renaissance masterpieces to contemporary music and film. Curator and Director of V&A East Gus Casely-Hayford and journalist Charlotte Higgins explore how objects, art and culture become powerful witnesses to who we are. From treasured everyday possessions to great works of art, they consider how material culture carries memory, meaning and identity across generations. From poetry to pop concerts and galleries to graffiti, scientist Daisy Fancourt and Art Fund Director Jenny Waldman explore the remarkable links between creativity, culture and wellbeing.
Collage (top left) Katherine Parkinson, (bottom left) Russell T Davies - credit Fabio De Paola, (right) Katherine Ryan.
ENTERTAINMENT
Numerous stars of stage and screen gather for the Festival this year. Celebrating Jilly Cooper, hosted by Caitlin Moran toasts the life, work and enduring appeal of one of Britain’s most beloved authors. With a special focus on the hit screen adaptation of Rivals, the panel features actor Katherine Parkinson, Rivals executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins, novelist and Bridget Jones creator Helen Fielding, Jilly’s agent, Felicity Blunt and Jilly’s daughter, Emily Tarrant to explore Cooper’s extraordinary legacy, and the lasting appeal of the Rutshire novels.
Russell T Davies and long-time collaborator Boyd Hilton discuss Russell’s new memoir, The Queerest of Folk. Distilling Davies’ career in television, taking us from his early days working on children’s shows and soaps through to the giddy heights of relaunching Doctor Who and bringing queer relationships onto the mainstream screen with recent state of the nation drama Tip Toe. Andrew Davies, the undisputed maestro of literary adaptation, from Pride and Prejudice to House of Cards, Bleak House to Bridget Jones, finally turns his razor-sharp pen on the most challenging subject of all: himself in his new memoir, An Unsuitable Boy.
Actor, writer and comedy legend Nigel Planer discusses Young Once, his funny, moving and gloriously unconventional memoir. Best known to many as Neil from The Young Ones, Planer reflects on an extraordinary life and reminisces about encounters with Alexei Sayle, Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson and a cast of unforgettable characters. Reece Shearsmith reflects on his life, creativity, and the inspirations behind his work, from The League of Gentlemen to Inside No. 9 in his deeply personal new book Things I Took from the Dark.
Following the success of her bestselling memoir, The Audacity, comedian, writer and broadcaster Katherine Ryan turns her sharp eye to the pressures, expectations and realities of being a woman, wife and daughter in her new book, First Born Daughter. Comedian, broadcaster, and campaigner Sandi Toksvig celebrates her love and passion for writers and books with her latest book Friends of Dorothy. TV legend Anneka Rice joins Jane Garvey and Fi Glover for a live broadcast of their Times Radio show. Best known for racing against the clock in Challenge Anneka, Anneka will be revealing how experiences forged the resilience, optimism and determination that defined her.
For two decades, Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has delighted audiences in pantomime. In The Book of Panto, he explores the rich, surprising history of Britain’s favourite festive tradition, tracing its journey from ancient roots to modern-day phenomenon, revealing why pantomime remains one of the nation’s most enduring and beloved forms of entertainment. Julian Lloyd Webber reflects with Gavin Plumley, on an extraordinary life in music, drawing on his revelatory memoir Bows and Arrows and his tireless commitment to ensuring every child can experience the transformative power of music.
Through the lens of George Michael's life, Sathnam Sanghera talks to novelist Emma Forrest about his new book, Tonight The Music Seems So Loud; a kaleidoscopic story of immigration; homophobia; fame; creative and musical genius; the tabloids; addiction; obsessive fans and why the love for George Michael has only grown in the years since his tragic death.
The Festival programme also features two of the major defining bands of 1990s Britpop. Blur’s Dave Rowntree shares the tales behind the band’s formative years through unheard stories alongside candid photos from his new bestselling book No One You Know. Neil Codling, keyboardist, rhythm guitarist, co-songwriter, and bassist Mat Osman discuss their life and times in Suede during the remarkable second act of their 35-year career, with award-winning writer Rodge Glass on writing the band’s intimate biography.
Punk at 50 event hosted by John Robb (Punk Rock Ruined My Life) throws you headfirst into the glorious chaos of punk, chairing this event with three brilliant guides: Kevin Dettmar, author of Punk in 50 Pieces; Matthew Worley, whose No Future digs into punk's politics and rebellion; and Penny Kiley, author of Atypical Girl, on growing up punk in Liverpool.
HISTORY
History is having a major moment. From chart-topping podcasts to bestselling books and binge-worthy TV, the past is back in vogue. Join TikTok historian and host of The History Diaries Katie Kennedy alongside historian and archaeologist Jess Venner as these rising stars discuss why history captivates us and how they’re telling it anew. Amy Jeffs and her band invite you to experience King Arthur's story as medieval listeners might once have known it: strange, thrilling and alive with magic. Queen of classics, Mary Beard, will explore the surprising connections between antiquity and the present, while acclaimed fiction writer Robert Harris will discuss his return to ancient Rome in his latest novel. One of Britain’s most influential and engaging historians, broadcasters and authors, Celebrity Traitors star David Olusoga explores his remarkable career and how he has transformed the way we understand Britain’s past by bringing overlooked histories to wider audiences.
Bestselling historian James Holland tells the story of the statesmen who rebuilt the world after the devastation of WWII and helped create an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity. Bestselling storyteller and historian Sinclair McKay and actor Jeffrey Holland tell the story of the real Home Guard, immortalised in our cultural memory by the beloved fictional platoon in Dad’s Army, created by Jimmy Perry and David Croft. Historian David Kynaston and broadcaster Samira Ahmed take us back to the heart of the Sixties in Britain and a time of extraordinary cultural confidence and transformation.
To celebrate the landmark exhibition at the British Museum, curator Lloyd de Beer joins cultural historian and artist Amy Jeffs to unravel the fascinating story of one of our greatest artistic and historical treasures, The Bayeux Tapestry. Historians Peter Jones and Katherine Harvey join Amy Jeffs for a fascinating exploration of the unexpected wisdom of the medieval world.
For twenty years Lucy Worsley had what she calls “the best job in the world”: chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces, including Hampton Court, the Tower of London and Kensington Palace. Now she takes us behind those palace walls into a thousand years of history, sharing how she became familiar with the princesses and princes, courtiers and servants who'd walked those corridors and cloisters before her. Step inside the world of the Boleyns with one of Britain's foremost Tudor historians and current Chief Historian at Historic Royal Palaces Tracy Borman as she explores the inspiration behind her new novel. Set within the walls of Hever Castle, the Boleyn family's beloved home, it brings vividly to life the drama, ambition and intrigue that shaped one of England's most fascinating dynasties.
Collage (left) Lucy Foley, (top right) Abir Mukherjee, (bottom right) Philippa Perry.
CRIME
Fifty years after her death, Agatha Christie remains the undisputed queen of crime. King of the Icelandic thriller Ragnar Jónasson, bestselling author Lucy Foley, whose new Miss Marple mystery marks a landmark return to Christie’s world, and writer Cathy Rentzenbrink explore the enduring power of the Queen of Crime and why Christie’s stories continue to captivate readers across generations.
A panel of four master storytellers, featuring Festival Guest Curator MJ Arlidge, crime writers Mark Billingham, Abir Mukherjee and Fiona Cummins, present a live, interactive crime-writing event in which the audience takes charge of the investigation and reveal how suspense is created to keep readers guessing.
Guest Curator MJ Arlidge writes the bestselling DI Helen Grace series and ran his own TV production company for many years. Writer Ruth Ware recently saw her 2016 novel The Woman in Cabin 10 adapted by Netflix into a big budget thriller starring Keira Knightley. Together they explore the adaptation process and the enduring popularity of crime on the small screen.
Three acclaimed writers - Jane Harper’s haunting thrillers set in rural Australia to Abir Mukherjee’s historical detective stories in Raj-era India and Chris Whitaker’s sweeping tales of revenge and redemption against an American backdrop explore how landscape, culture, history and climate influence the crimes they imagine and the characters they create. Japan’s most exciting new crime writer Akane Araki discusses her prize-winning murder mystery Murder at The End of the World with Literary Explorer in Residence Ann Morgan.
Inspired by their professions, Philippa Perry and Richard Coles discuss their cosy crime capers: Perry’s Shrink Solves Murder where a psychotherapist investigates the apparent suicide of her patient and Coles’ next book in his bestselling Canon Clement series, A Carol and a Killing. One of Britain's most popular crime writers Richard Osman returns with We Chase Shadows, the eagerly awaited new novel in his We Solve Murders series. Interviewed by Andrew Hunter Murray, Osman discusses the latest twists, characters and mysteries at the heart of his thrilling new story.
One of the finest crime writers, Ian Rankin in conversation with Rebecca Jones introduces his first stand-alone novel for 20 years, The Heights, a gripping new thriller exploring wealth, power and justice.
LIFESTYLE
In Bimbo, broadcaster and campaigner Ashley James unpacks the labels that box women in and the systems that keep them there, exploring how misogynist language affects our daily lives and how we can break free from it. Through Cash Cow, investigative journalist Alev Scott lifts the lid on the morally complex fertility industry, examining how desire, desperation and commerce intersect. Together, they talk about reclaiming agency and imagining a fairer future for women. Helen Taylor and Poorna Bell explore what it means to choose a childfree life in a world that often defines women through motherhood. Poorna also joins Fearne Cotton to discuss the growing movement of women in midlife who are rethinking the expectations that have shaped their lives – from the pressure to please others to the narratives we’ve absorbed about careers, relationships, motherhood, ageing, beauty and success. In conversation with comedian Cariad Lloyd, they explore how to find the confidence to define your own success and create a life that reflects who you are.
As we live longer, the conversation around ageing is changing. It’s no longer just about adding years to our lives, but about protecting our strength, independence and wellbeing for the years ahead. Will Harlow, Elizabeth Davies and Liz Earle explore the science and reality of ageing well. From building muscle and protecting bone health to understanding hormones, sleep and the habits that support long-term vitality, they challenge outdated ideas about getting older and ask how we can stay stronger, healthier and more capable at every stage of life.
Collage (top left) Frank Cottrell Boyce, (bottom left) Hannah Richell, (right) Deepika Chopra.
PSYCHOLOGY
Psychotherapist Philippa Perry and screenwriter and author Frank Cottrell-Boyce explore what it’s like for young people growing up in Britain today. From the pressures and possibilities of education to the shifting realities of work, independence and identity, what does growing up feel like right now?
John Robins is a critically acclaimed stand-up comedian, Taskmaster champion and co-host of the Elis James and John Robins podcast. He is also an alcoholic in recovery and tells the story of his life through the lens of alcohol, from childhood curiosity and youthful excess to the moment he stopped in 2022 and began the long process of recovery.
Not getting enough sleep, doomscrolling on your phone and feeling anxious every time you watch the news? You’re not alone. Caitlin Moran decided to spend a year finding ways to make each day a little better: stepping away from social media and 24/7 news, reconnecting with people and generally falling in love with the world again. One of the UK’s leading mental health experts, Owen O’Kane, explains how we build our behaviours and thoughts around anxiety, creating a cycle that we get hooked on. Grief is something we'll all experience, yet it remains one of the hardest things to talk about. Actor, author and screenwriter Greg Wise joins novelist Hannah Richell for a thoughtful conversation about finding your way through the darkest of times. Psychologist Deepika Chopra and poet David Larbi explore the art of true optimism, inviting us to slow down and notice the joy around us.
SPORT
Rugby legend, podcast host and everyone’s favourite ‘hundy’ Joe Marler introduces you to life post-rugby. After capturing the nation’s hearts on Celebrity Traitors, he’ll take you on a riotous tour of the world - and the inside of his head - from deep space to the deep blue seas, charting his stories of high jinks and misadventures along the way.
It was the summer of Euro ‘96. While England celebrated a memorable run to the semi-finals, former England captain and Arsenal legend Tony Adams was battling a personal crisis marked by addiction, family breakdown and misery. He reflects on the 44-day drinking binge that followed England’s crushing exit, marking the turning point that led him to seek help and start a recovery journey that transformed his life.
He was the larger-than-life character on and off the pitch, fondly known as Beefy, and described by one of his first team captains as ‘a force of nature’. As he turns 70, Ian Botham, one of England’s greatest sporting icons reflects on family, career and the defining moments that have shaped his life and legacy.
Cricketing legend and Gloucestershire Head Coach Mark Alleyne shares his story alongside biographer Stephen Chalke in conversation with cricket writer Simon Lister about his formative years in Barbados and the groundbreaking Haringey Cricket College to becoming Gloucestershire’s youngest centurion. Legendary England all-rounder Chris Woakes is in conversation with Max Whittle as he goes behind the scenes of that dramatic week at Oval and on a journey through a 15-year England career, charting the ups and downs of his time as one of the most admired cricketers of his generation.
Celebrated jockey and three-time Champion Hurdle winner Anthony (AP) McCoy, nine-time winning trainer Nicky Henderson, three-time winning owner Rich Ricci and racing historian Chris Pitt join broadcaster Rishi Persad to celebrate the Champion Hurdle, National Hunt racing’s most prestigious hurdle race, in the year of its centenary.
Collage (left) Celia Imrie © Giles Keyte, (top right) Mollie Hughes © Rachel Keenan, (bottom right) Daze Aghaji.
TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE
Beloved actress and bestselling author Celia Imrie shares tales from a lifetime of extraordinary travel from her memoir, Elegant Hustler - from the Queen Mary 2 to America's plains on Amtrak, Arctic quests for the Northern Lights to India's legendary railways. Celia talks to longtime travel companion Fidelis Morgan.
Three brothers, Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean, made headlines last year when they arrived in Australia wild-haired and euphoric after breaking the world record for rowing non-stop and unsupported across the Pacific Ocean. It was a journey of 9,000 miles and almost 140 days at sea, during which they endured violent tropical storms, survived one brother being washed overboard and, in a slightly surreal turn of events, took a call from Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg. They talk to adventurer and stress resilience coach Vicki Anstey about grit, teamwork and what it takes to push to the limits of human endurance.
Mountaineer and polar explorer Mollie Hughes and adventurer Vicki Anstey know what it takes to perform under pressure. Drawing on experiences forged in the world’s most extreme environments, from summitting Everest to skiing solo to the South Pole, Mollie explores how we can manage fear and doubt to unlock our potential. Vicki reflects on how walking away from a life of quiet conformity led to remarkable feats of endurance and a redefinition of success on her own terms.
Travel writer Daniel Stables journeys into the heart of global festivity. From Shetland’s blazing Viking fire festival to sacrificial funeral rites in Indonesia, he uncovers the many ways that cultures tell stories and bring communities together. He talks to Ash Bhardwaj about discovering the world through its most vibrant gatherings and why these celebrations are not just a spectacle but a powerful expression of what it means to be human.
Geographer and broadcaster Nicholas Crane, travel writer Simon Parker and environmentalist Daze Aghaji celebrate the richness and variety of Britain's landscapes and the joy of exploring them off the beaten track. They explore the quirks, encounters and freedoms of slow travel and show you the best way to discover our nation.
MEMOIR
Actress, comedian and author Meera Syal talks to Kavita Puri about her deeply personal new memoir Vigilauntie. From family expectations and her grandfather’s attempts to arrange her marriage to the creation of groundbreaking comedy and a celebrated career in writing and acting, Meera explores motherhood, identity and the legacy of Partition, revealing the experiences that shaped her.
Comedian, writer and lifelong activist Alexei Sayle discusses his new memoir, How I’ve Tried to Change the World. Born into a Communist family in Liverpool, Sayle traces seven decades of political struggle through the marches, protests and movements that shaped his life and beliefs. From Vietnam and the miners’ strikes to Iraq and Gaza, he reflects on the enduring fight for a fairer society.
Rachael Stirling talks to her husband Guy Garvey about All About My Mother, her warm, funny and deeply moving portrait of her mother, the legendary Diana Rigg. Across a remarkable career spanning stage, film and television, Rigg became an icon to millions. Reflecting on family, grief, love and legacy, Stirling shares a candid and intimate account of memory, storytelling and an extraordinary life fully lived.
Speaking from Australia, Helen Garner reflects on her Baillie Gifford Prize-winning diaries and the instinct behind decades of observation and the challenge of capturing the “quietly remarkable texture of ordinary life” writing. Clare and Michael Morpurgo recall their years on the magical farm that inspired Michael’s most enduring stories including War Horse and Private Peaceful.
Blake Morrison is one of our most celebrated memoirists; his intimate portraits of his parents and family members explore how memory both reveals and distorts the past. In her first memoir, acclaimed novelist Louise Doughty explores one of life's great mysteries - the lives of our parents before we existed. They share their fascination with the pasts we inherit; the stories families tell and withhold.
Writer and broadcaster Matthew Sweet joins The Times Literary Editor Robbie Millen for a richly entertaining conversation about the queen of romantic fiction, Barbara Cartland. Behind the pink chiffon, pearls and prolific romantic fantasies, she lived a life as extravagant, contradictory and revealing as any of her heroines. The Great Dictator draws on her extraordinary archive behind one of the twentieth century’s most recognisable, and most parodied literary figures.
BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show host Greg James talks with Matthew Stadlen about his memoir All the Best for the Future – a warm-hearted celebration of the lost art of having fun.
NATURE
One of the UK's leading experts on energy policy and climate change, Dieter Helm, offers a compelling assessment of the climate challenge. In conversation with The Times’ science writer Tom Whipple, he sets out how we can avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and make better decisions for the future.
Caroline Sanderson talks to Natasha Carthew, Anjana Khatwa and Nicola Wilding, discussing class and identity across coastlines, crumbling rural economies and ancient geological histories, asking urgent questions about land and environment in an event programmed in collaboration with Carthew’s Common Ground Literary Festival. Acclaimed author of Islands of Abandonment, Cal Flyn, and historical archaeologist Eloise Kane challenge our deepest assumptions about nature and how our environments are shaped by human hands.
William Morris’ designs are woven into our national consciousness. Step into the gardens that fed his imagination with cultural botanist Gavin Francis Stoneystreet. Morris rooted his creative life in the natural world. Exploring Red House, Kelmscott Manor, Kelmscott House and the remarkable factory garden at Merton Abbey, Gavin reveals the central role these places played in Morris's life, his patterns and his work.
Collage (top left) Karen Solie, (bottom left) Leigh Lawson, (right) Maureen Onwunali.
POETRY AND OFF THE PAGE
The Festival will celebrate the powers of poetry to transform the world around us. T. S. Eliot Prize-winning poet Karen Solie, one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary poetry, shares her extraordinary new collection, Wellwater. Actor, director and writer Leigh Lawson reflects on more than six decades of life through a deeply personal collection of poetry and stories, while the UK’s beloved poet and Sunday Times bestselling author Donna Ashworth will share words from her brand-new collection The Art of Being Easily Pleased.
In an event exploring the fight to protect the languages at risk of vanishing, journalist Sophia Smith Galer uncovers the human stories behind a global crisis while Len Pennie’s poetry celebrates the power of language as a tool for identity, resistance and connection. For a night showcasing poetry at its most immediate, surprising and alive, the Milk Poetry Slam will feature legendary spoken word artist Luke Wright and acclaimed poet and performer Maureen Onwunali, alongside a host of rising voices.
SCIENCE
As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes how we work, think and connect, the question is no longer what AI can do, but what it is doing to us. Author and journalist Jamie Bartlett and AI ethicist Eleanor Drage explore how AI is transforming identity, privacy, power and relationships and ask what it means to be human in the age of AI.
Weight-loss medications have changed the conversation around food, appetite and health, but the biggest question may be what happens next. Doctors Paul Barrington Chell, Monique Hope-Ross and Federica Amati come together to explore the science behind weight loss, GLP-1 medications and the complex biology that shapes how we eat. From supplements and wearable technology to blood tests and personalised health plans, Dr Xand van Tulleken investigates the booming wellness industry and asks what really works. He gives an eye-opening look at the future of wellbeing, revealing what we should pay attention to, and what we might be better off ignoring.
FAMILY AND YOUNG ADULTS
From meeting favourite authors to getting creative, this year's Festival offers a fun and inspiring family day out for all ages, with events and activities designed to spark imaginations and bring stories to life. Get ready to rhyme, rap and ROAR with laughter as former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen joins forces with teacher and author MC Grammar for an action‑packed, high‑energy musical showdown. Debate Who’s the Football Goat with Matt Oldfield and Seth Burkett, Draw along with Rob Biddulph and celebrate 10 years of Isadora Moon with Harriet Muncaster.
The Sad Ghost Cafe creator Lize Meddings demonstrates how to make a minifold zine, the hottest new fantasy is showcased in the Dragons to Dystopia panel discussion and Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Sarah Crossan reveal how to write a killer thriller.
Get hands-on with clay in fun Aardman model-making workshops, led by one of the studio’s expert model makers. The fantastically funny, relatable Lottie Brooks diary series, by number one bestselling author and illustrator Katie Kirby, is filled with first experiences, friendship fails, embarrassing moments and plenty of laughs. Watch Tom Gates' brilliant world come to life with author-illustrator Liz Pichon. The series celebrates 15 Funny Years this year with a feel-good show packed with doodling, games, stories and a live draw‑along.
Take off on an epic journey through the solar system with presenter and space scientist Maggie Aderin who explores planets, moons, asteroids and satellites drawing on her expertise and live coverage of the Artemis 11 mission. Athlete, trailblazer and TV Gladiator, Fury, Jodie Ounsley shares inspiring stories and top tips to help you believe in yourself, overcome obstacles and smash through barriers.
Prepare for a raucous, high-energy time with comedian Russell Kane as he brings his love of pets – and his brand-new picture book – to life on stage. Packed with jokes, games, fun facts and outrageous stories of pet rivalry, this show promises laughter for all ages.
