Henley Literary Festival

Upcoming events at Henley Literary Festival

Henley Literary Festival is a gallery in Henley-on-Thames. Near Here currently lists at least 17 upcoming events, including Eric Idle, Joe Wicks and Nigella Lawson.

Community

Eric Idle

By 1971 Monty Python’s Flying Circus had made its troupe comedy superstars - and their lives a little complicated. In search of a simpler life Eric Idle bought a ramshackle property in the south of France; Idle in Provence:A Brief History of Thyme charts his 50-year quest of home-building, friend- making and bad-French-learning. Now splitting his time between LA and France he comes to Henley to discuss this hilarious, heartfelt memoir, Monty Python memories and more in a special pre-Festival event.

Tue 15 Sept19:00Henley Literary Festival

via Henley Literary Festival

Community

Joe Wicks

He’s helped millions of us get fitter and happier ; now Joe Wicks comes to Henley! Alongside his hit app, Guinness World Records and becoming our national PE teacher during lockdown,The Body Coach has several No. 1 bestsellers to his name. Healthy Start: Fresh and fuss-free meals for all the family contains 80 recipes full of unprocessed, whole foods: from Beetroot Falafel Burgers to Chipotle Chicken Rice Burritos. In this special pre-Festival event he discusses his new book and career to date.

Tue 15 Sept19:00Henley Literary Festival

via Henley Literary Festival

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Community

Eric Idle

By 1971 Monty Python’s Flying Circus had made its troupe comedy superstars - and their lives a little complicated. In search of a simpler life Eric Idle bought a ramshackle property in the south of France; Idle in Provence:A Brief History of Thyme charts his 50-year quest of home-building, friend- making and bad-French-learning. Now splitting his time between LA and France he comes to Henley to discuss this hilarious, heartfelt memoir, Monty Python memories and more in a special pre-Festival event.

Tue 15 Sept21:00Henley Literary Festival

via Henley Literary Festival

Community

Nigella Lawson

What a treat to start our 20th Festival!The multi-award-winning writer and broadcaster Nigella Lawson joins us for the first time. In this special conversation, she will reflect on a career that ranges from international bestsellers How to Eat, How to Be a Domestic Goddess and Feast to a string of hit TV series and, new for 2026,The Great British Bake Off. As Vogue put it “the Nigella Renaissance could not have come at a better time” - and Henley is here for it! This event is in partnership with Fane.

Fri 2 Oct19:00Henley Literary Festival

via Henley Literary Festival

Community

Around £17.50

Nigella Lawson Livestream

NIGELLA LAWSON 6pm • Marquee at Phyllis Court • £17.50 What a treat to start our 20th Festival!The multi-award-winning writer and broadcaster Nigella Lawson joins us for the first time. In this special conversation, she will reflect on a career that ranges from international bestsellers How to Eat, How to Be a Domestic Goddess and Feast to a string of hit TV series and, new for 2026,The Great British Bake Off. As Vogue put it “the Nigella Renaissance could not have come at a better time” - and Henley is here for it! This event is in partnership with Fane.

Fri 2 Oct19:00Henley Literary Festival

via Henley Literary Festival

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Sports & Fitness

Around £17.50

The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE RUGBY 8pm • Marquee at Phyllis Court £17.50 book & ticket Highs. Heartbreaks. Hangovers.The trio behind the world’s most popular rugby podcast give Henley a try with The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Reloaded. Mike Tindall is - at time of writing - the only member of the royal family to have won the World Cup. James Haskell started at Maidenhead before starring for Wasps and England. And Alex Payne has been one of the sport’s most respected broadcasters for two decades. From musings on life to the state of the game, this is not to be missed. Mike, James and Alex will be in conversation with Shiplake College Headmaster, Tyrone Howe.

Fri 2 Oct21:00Henley Literary Festival

via Henley Literary Festival

Sports & Fitness

The Good, The Bad & The Rugby Livestream

Highs. Heartbreaks. Hangovers.The trio behind the world’s most popular rugby podcast give Henley a try with The Good, The Bad & The Rugby: Reloaded. Mike Tindall is - at time of writing - the only member of the royal family to have won the World Cup. James Haskell started at Maidenhead before starring for Wasps and England. And Alex Payne has been one of the sport’s most respected broadcasters for two decades. From musings on life to the state of the game, this is not to be missed. Mike, James and Alex will be in conversation with Shiplake College Headmaster, Tyrone Howe.

Fri 2 Oct21:00Henley Literary Festival

via Henley Literary Festival

Community

Alexandra Shulman

Drawing on her record-breaking 25 years as editor-in-chief of British Vogue and her life as a daughter, mother, partner and lover of shopping, Alexandra Shulman returns to Henley with a collection of thought- provoking, memoir-based essays. Black Coffee and Red Lipstick: Notes on Living sees the Mail on Sunday columnist and bestselling author of Clothes and Other Things that Matter take on topics including baths and bookshelves, friendship and family, gardening and grey hair.

Sat 3 Oct11:00Henley Literary Festival

via Henley Literary Festival

Community

Alexandra Shulman Livestream

Drawing on her record-breaking 25 years as editor-in-chief of British Vogue and her life as a daughter, mother, partner and lover of shopping, Alexandra Shulman returns to Henley with a collection of thought- provoking, memoir-based essays. Black Coffee and Red Lipstick: Notes on Living sees the Mail on Sunday columnist and bestselling author of Clothes and Other Things that Matter take on topics including baths and bookshelves, friendship and family, gardening and grey hair.

Sat 3 Oct11:00Henley Literary Festival

via Henley Literary Festival

Community

Liz Pichon: Tom Gates (9+)

Days before Tom Gates Is Not Famous (Yet!) hits the shops in the rest of the country, Liz Pichon, the multi-award- winning creator of the bestselling series, comes to Henley! The much-loved author-illustrator will keep you busy - and laughing! - with storytellings, games and a live draw-along.Whether you’re a fan of the books (two million copies sold and counting!), love the TV series (or both!) or you’re new to Tom, his friends, foes and caramel wafers, this event will be pure fun!

Sat 3 Oct13:00Henley Literary Festival

via Henley Literary Festival

Food & Drink

Simon Jenkins: Tea Party to Trump

The United States of America this year marks its 250th anniversary, more pivotal and unpredictable than ever. Having taken on England and Europe in previous bestsellers, Sir Simon Jenkins comes to Henley with A Short History of America. From the founding fathers and civil war to the war on terror, ongoing racial divides and the current administration, the Guardian columnist, formerly National Trust chair and Times editor, takes us across this extraordinary collection of 50 distinct states.

Sat 3 Oct13:00Henley Literary Festival

via Henley Literary Festival

Food & Drink

Simon Jenkins: Tea Party to Trump Livestream

The United States of America this year marks its 250th anniversary, more pivotal and unpredictable than ever. Having taken on England and Europe in previous bestsellers, Sir Simon Jenkins comes to Henley with A Short History of America. From the founding fathers and civil war to the war on terror, ongoing racial divides and the current administration, the Guardian columnist, formerly National Trust chair and Times editor, takes us across this extraordinary collection of 50 distinct states.

Sat 3 Oct13:00Henley Literary Festival

via Henley Literary Festival

Community

Tony Parsons: Man & Dog

25 years after multi-million seller Man and Boy won British Book of the Year - and 50 years after he broke onto the scene with the NME - Tony Parsons returns to the Festival for our 20th edition with his first non-fiction in over a decade. His tribute to spaniel Stan on his passing was his most- read Sun column ever; Man & Dog takes us to Hampstead Heath and its starry dog- walkers in his poignant, funny and deeply human memoir about that special bond we have with our four-legged friends.

Sat 3 Oct13:00Henley Literary Festival

via Henley Literary Festival

Community

Lucian Msmati: Godot Diaries

From John Lahr to Keanu Reeves, a select group have taken on Waiting for Godot‘s Estragon.Voted the most significant English- language play of the 20th century, for the 2024 West End revival Conclave star Lucian Msamati was chosen for the role alongside Ben Whishaw as Vladimir. Now the National Theatre favourite, also the first Black actor to play Iago for the RSC, comes to Henley with his diaries from the production, offering a rare insight into bringing Beckett’s iconic play to life.

Sat 3 Oct15:00Henley Literary Festival

via Henley Literary Festival

Community

Around £22

Sebastian Faulks

Habitual Sunday Times No.1 and the Sunday Telegraph’s “most impressive novelist of his generation” Sebastian Faulks, returns to Henley just weeks after his highly anticipated 21st book is published. Farewell to Eden is a profound novel about faith in all its forms, following Philip Deval from the Normandy beaches to Palestine and post-war Britain. The Birdsong and Human Traces author joins us with a sweeping story that asks how, after great suffering, we can believe in the promise of a better life. Book and ticket price includes a copy of Farewell to Eden (RRP £22) which will be given to you at the event.

Sat 3 Oct15:00Henley Literary Festival

via Henley Literary Festival

Community

Sebastian Faulks Livestream

Habitual Sunday Times No.1 and the Sunday Telegraph’s “most impressive novelist of his generation” Sebastian Faulks, returns to Henley just weeks after his highly anticipated 21st book is published. Farewell to Eden is a profound novel about faith in all its forms, following Philip Deval from the Normandy beaches to Palestine and post-war Britain. The Birdsong and Human Traces author joins us with a sweeping story that asks how, after great suffering, we can believe in the promise of a better life.

Sat 3 Oct15:00Henley Literary Festival

via Henley Literary Festival

Community

Lucian Msamati: Godot Diaries

From John Lahr to Keanu Reeves, a select group have taken on Waiting for Godot‘s Estragon.Voted the most significant English- language play of the 20th century, for the 2024 West End revival Conclave star Lucian Msamati was chosen for the role alongside Ben Whishaw as Vladimir. Now the National Theatre favourite, also the first Black actor to play Iago for the RSC, comes to Henley with his diaries from the production, offering a rare insight into bringing Beckett’s iconic play to life.

Sat 3 Oct15:00Henley Literary Festival

via Henley Literary Festival

Event details on Near Here are aggregated from third-party sources and may change. Always verify times, location, availability, and any price directly with the organiser before travelling. See Terms.