Issuu

Front cover

Talks and Discussions • Creative Workshops • Free Activities • Book Signings

Includes

Family Programme

with plenty of activities for a great day out Produced by

Stories are for Everyone Read

Whether you’re rediscovering a childhood favourite through your children’s eyes, listening to the latest romantasy audiobook, reading Middlemarch for the third time, scrolling through BookTok for your next read or delving into new worlds with this year’s prize-winning novelists, there’s a story for everyone at The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival. From soul-shattering reads to tantalising twists, celebrate the power of stories with us.

Listen

Photo: Murdo Macleod

Looking for a Great Family Day Out? Check out our Family events and activities, p. 79

Create

Contents Plan Your Festival

Festival Programme

Young Adult Programme 76

Write

Family Programme

Day Planners

Our Partners

104

Our Patrons

106

Your Visit and Access

113

How to Book

111

Index

115

Festival Village Map

118

Make a day of it and explore the Festival Village, grab a drink and find a cosy corner to lose yourself in a book. There’s something for everyone to enjoy and discover. Food and Drink

The Snug

Grab a morning coffee and pastry in our Feast Cafe, choose from a selection of hot and cold treats from our street food vendors to refuel between events or unwind with a drink from the Festival bar to round off your day.

The perfect book lover’s retreat. Join a community group, swap recommendations, immerse yourself in crafts or join a lively post-event debate.

The Huddle Whether you’re after stimulating talks during the day or fancy great entertainment and music in the evening, visit The Huddle in our Feast Cafe for a host of free events celebrating writing from close to home and around the globe.

With thanks to our supporters

VOICEBOX From new writing and pop culture to wellbeing and society, expect free talks, debates, workshops, live music, comedy and more from big names and the next generation of creatives. Look out for the full lineup in September in our zine, online and on the Cheltenham Festivals app.

Benefact Group Lounge Stop by to nominate your favourite charity for a donation through Movement for Good. Plus, kids can win £1000 for their school. Keep your eyes peeled for Toffee the Bear too!

The Hush by The Methodist Church Discover a quiet space in a busy world to pause, wonder and dream through creativity, storytelling and stillness. Look out for live podcast recordings taking place in the venue.

Help us to provide at least 50% of our activities free There are so many ways to help us ensure everyone can explore and create culture, from purchasing food and drink on site to becoming a Member, Patron, Partner or Donor. Scan the QR code to find out more

Listening Lounge by BBC Audiobooks Get lost in unforgettable stories with BBC Audiobooks. Pop into the Listening Lounge and let the adventures, mysteries and laughs transport you somewhere new.

Free Activities There are so many free events and activities on site and ...around town. Keep an eye out for our Free Events and Activities Brochure, dropping in September.

The Year of Reading

There’s a story for everyone at Cheltenham Literature Festival.

his year marks The National Year of Reading, a UK-wide campaign to inspire people of all ages to rediscover the joy of reading. This coincides with the 10 Year Anniversary of Cheltenham Festivals' Reading Teachers = Reading Pupils, which has created communities of readers in schools across the UK. At a time where reading for pleasure among children and adults is at its lowest, we’re celebrating and challenging what it means to be a ‘reader’.

As a school leader the impact has been beyond my class. School Teacher

At Cheltenham Festivals, we believe everyone has a story that matters to them. Whether you enjoy delving into the world-building of gaming, read musical scores, seek escape in the latest fantasy novel, interrogate breaking news stories with your friends, or listen to the

latest audiobook topping the charts, these are the stories that matter to you. Whatever you’re into, there’s a story for everyone at Cheltenham Literature Festival. So explore something new and be part of the biggest reading campaign in a generation. Because stories don’t just connect us, they inspire the next generation of writers, poets, thinkers, change makers and creatives.

Gloucestershire's Year of Reading This year we’re proud to be part of Gloucestershire‘s Year of Reading, a shared initiative to celebrate the joy of reading and build on Gloucestershire’s strong reading culture. More than four Festivals, we work year-round to deliver 180 days of outreach with schools, communities and young people from Gloucestershire and beyond through our Learning and Participation programmes.

Whoever I am, a great deal of that is what I’ve read. Ben Elton Comedian and author

From getting books in the hands of children and schools to writing for wellbeing workshops and encouraging engagement with storytelling in all its forms, we believe access to the joy of reading, arts and culture is for everyone. Find out more about our yearround work by scanning the QR code.

With thanks to Benefact Group for supporting our National Year of Reading campaign.

Proud to support The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival. Situated at the heart of the Festival Village and with the very best selection of new books alongside classics and bestsellers, our Waterstones bookshops are curated especially for this year’s Festival and the visiting writers. Browse the bookshelves between Festival events, meet your favourite authors and celebrities and get your books signed. Don’t forget to stop by the Waterstones Children’s Bookshop where you can browse the latest releases and family favourites. If you’re not sure what to try next, ask the booksellers for their top recommendations. You can also find us in Cheltenham Town Hall’s Drawing Room where you can browse a selection of Festival titles and have your books signed after events.

A percentage of each book purchased at our Waterstones bookshops is donated to Cheltenham Festivals

FREE VOICEBOX amplifies bold voices, sparks big conversations and inspires change. From new writing and pop culture to wellbeing and society, VOICEBOX explores the ideas shaping our world. Expect talks, debates, workshops, live music, comedy and more from big names and the next generation of creatives.

Voicebox Join us in the VOICEBOX tent for free events throughout the Festival. Look out for the full line-up in September.

Pick up the VOICEBOX zine in print, online and on the Cheltenham Festivals app.

Can’t wait until the Festival? Listen to The VOICEBOX Podcast for fresh perspectives from creatives, writers and changemakers. Available wherever you get your podcasts.

@voicebox___

With thanks to our supporters

@cheltfestivals

Come and enjoy

the best of The Times Savour the best of The Sunday Times Wine Club. Times subscribers can join us for ‘Wine Hour’ at the Headline Bar. You can enjoy complimentary wine tastings featuring special guests from The Times and Sunday Times – on the first Festival weekend between 5–6pm.

Sit back, relax, read your complimentary newspaper or chat over a glass of wine, with Times Radio playing in the background. This year, look out for shows being broadcast live from Times Radio Speakers’ Corner.

Test yourself with world-famous puzzles from The Times and Sunday Times featuring crosswords, sudokus, word puzzles, quizzes and more, all compiled by our expert team.

Delve into literary history with an exclusive look at The Times Archive. Discover captivating portraits of renowned writers, from Thomas Hardy to Ian Fleming, displayed alongside historic book reviews and personal letters sent by the authors to The Times and The Sunday Times.

Look out for more details in our free programme mid-September. Make sure you grab a copy in print, online or via the Cheltenham Festivals app.

Guest Curators

Literary Explorer in Residence Ann Morgan, author and editor, returns as our Literary Explorer in Residence. Her curation focuses on international and translated voices.

Our Guest Curators are a unique and treasured part of the Festival team – bringing fascinating insights, new perspectives and inspiring energy to the programme.

Candice Carty-Williams British-Jamaican culture writer, screenwriter and bestselling author of Queenie, now adapted into an acclaimed television series. Candice’s curation explores race, politics and modern womanhood. Catch her in: Beyond the Political Frame Candice Carty-Williams

p. 63 p. 65

MJ Arlidge The bestselling crime novelist and screenwriter’s events explore the enduring appeal of crime fiction, the craft of storytelling and the journey from page to screen. They feature some of the biggest names writing crime today. @m_j_arlidge

Catch him in: Murder We Wrote Turning to Crime MJ Arlidge and Ruth Ware

p. 64 p. 65 p. 71

Workshop Guest Curator event New Voices collection featuring debut authors British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted events All events taking place on our Town Hall stages, The Hive, The Times and Sunday Times Forum, The Garden Theatre and Parabola Arts Centre will have live AI captioning.

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Look out for these icons throughout the brochure

FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER

Festival Programme

FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER

Friday 9 October

Gulliver’s Travels: 300 Years On Pillar Room, Town Hall £14

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Join David Womersley, editor of the new Cambridge Anniversary Edition, and Hester Grant whose The Twitnam Summer brilliantly evokes the Georgian England of 1726 when Jonathan Swift arrived in London from Dublin with a draft of Gulliver’s Travels in his bag. Together they celebrate Swift’s satirical wit and visionary creativity in conversation with Susie Goldsbrough, The Times Deputy Literary Editor. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

10.30–11.30am

LD15

Robert Harris The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £17, £14

12–1pm

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £18, £15

Totem: The Untold Story of Sculpture Pillar Room, Town Hall £14 Forty thousand years of human creativity, carved in stone, bone and bronze, shape the story of sculpture. Art historian and curator Jo Baring traces a line from the prehistoric Lion Man to the Italian Renaissance and artists including Alberto Giacometti, Barbara Hepworth and Yayoi Kusama to explore why we have been driven to create sculpture since the beginning of humanity. Chaired by Julia Wheeler. EVENT TIME

12.30–1.30pm

The author of The Cicero Trilogy returns to ancient Rome. Julius Caesar has been murdered, changing the lives of two teenage boys forever: Caesar’s heir Octavius and his closest friend, Agrippa. When it comes to power, does friendship exist at all? Chaired by The Sunday Times Chief Literary Critic Johanna Thomas-Corr. EVENT TIME

Agatha Christie: Queen of Crime

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LR62

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LA12

Fifty years after her death, Agatha Christie remains the undisputed queen of crime; her detectives, plots and ingenious twists still setting the standard for mystery writers everywhere. King of the Icelandic thriller Ragnar Jónasson, bestselling author Lucy Foley, whose new Miss Marple mystery marks a landmark return to Christie’s world, writer Cathy Rentzenbrink and Agatha Christie’s grandson James Prichard join Clare Clark to celebrate an extraordinary legacy and the mysteries that never go out of fashion. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

1–2pm

LD08

Bloody Dangerous Garden Theatre £14

Make a Day of It Enjoy all our free programme has to offer, announced mid-September. Don’t miss out: follow us @cheltfestivals on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook or head to our website to find out more.

Former RAF pilot Colin Bell talks to historian James Holland about his WWII experiences. A flight lieutenant in the elite Pathfinder 608 Squadron, Colin flew 50 perilous Mosquito raids over Germany. He recalls the camaraderie, courage and sacrifice of a generation whose voices are fading from living memory. EVENT TIME

2–3pm

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LH10

The Hive £14 The author of We Need to Talk About Kevin introduces A Better Life, a satirical examination of modern immigration. A governmentintroduced scheme incentivises a liberal New Yorker and her cynical Gen-Z son to take in a Honduran migrant with unforeseen consequences. Chaired by The Times Literary Editor Robbie Millen. EVENT CODE

2–3pm

LR57

Patrick Radden Keefe: The Sunday Times Must Reads The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £17, £14

2–3pm

Pillar Room, Town Hall £14 Acclaimed travel writer Sara Wheeler explores the remarkable life of Jan Morris. She was a pioneer: both in her groundbreaking approach to travel writing and in life – her gender transition in the 1970s placed her ahead of her time. We recall Jan’s visits to the Festival and mark her extraordinary legacy. Chaired by The Times Executive Editor, Jeremy Griffin. EVENT CODE

2.30–3.30pm

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LC10

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio Kindly supported by Waterstones With thanks to our event supporters

Jan Morris: Voice of a Restless Century

EVENT TIME

In 2019, teenager Zac Brettler mysteriously fell to his death from a luxury apartment building. His parents’ search for answers uncovered a shocking secret: Zac had been posing as the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch. In conversation with The Sunday Times Chief Literary Critic Johanna Thomas-Corr, acclaimed journalist Patrick Radden Keefe shares the stunning story of corruption and tragedy at the heart of the capital. EVENT TIME

coffee and refreshments.

LT05

Mary Beard The Times and Sunday Times Forum £18, £15 What’s exciting about a 4,000 year-old piece of bread? Queen of classics Mary Beard explores the surprising connections between antiquity and the present. Look differently at our world through its past. It really does affect us all. EVENT TIME

3.30–4.30pm

EVENT CODE

LB02

You have an idea for a novel, maybe you’ve had it for years. This is the workshop that finally gets you moving. In this two-hour session, award-winning author Clare Clark guides you through the essential building blocks of long-form fiction: structure, scenes that crackle, characters that breathe, dialogue that sings. Clare’s practical, handson approach sends you away with fresh tools and words on the page. No experience necessary, just bring a notebook, a pen and an idea. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

4–6pm

W04

James Holland: The Visionaries The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £17, £14 After the devastation of WWII, visionary leaders designed a world order that ushered in an era of peace and prosperity. With the institutions and alliances these statesmen built facing new pressures, historian James Holland joins Peter Frankopan for a timely conversation about how stability is created and why moral leadership matters. EVENT TIME

4.30–5.30pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

EVENT TIME

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £58 Ticket includes a tea or

FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER

How to Start a Novel

Lionel Shriver

EVENT CODE

LH12

FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER

Sir, The Year in Letters

Victoria Hislop Garden Theatre £14 Cheltenham favourite and bestselling author of The Island and The Figurine returns with her captivating new novel, The Wine-Dark Sea. This heartrending tale follows a mother and her children, separated and imprisoned during the Greek Civil War and the desperate search for reunion. Victoria Hislop speaks to Tim Hubbard. EVENT TIME

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

4.30–5.30pm

EVENT CODE

LR10

Frozen Frontiers The Hive £14 Historians Giles Milton and Ed Armston-Sheret revisit two extraordinary expeditions born of Britain’s imperial ambitions: Vilhjalmur Stefansson’s doomed attempt to establish a colony on Wrangel Island in the Arctic; and Britain’s first Antarctic expedition, during which Scott, Shackleton and their crew faced scurvy, starvation and extreme conditions. In conversation with Sara Wheeler, they consider the hubris and devastating human consequences of the so-called heroic age of polar exploration. EVENT TIME

4.30–5.30pm

EVENT CODE

LT07

Pillar Room, Town Hall £14 Join The Times Letters Editor Andrew Riley as he presents his favourite letters from 2026 in conversation with Julia Wheeler. Musing on the things that really matter, from bizarre uses for old school ties to the disappearance of the humble washing line, here is a treasure trove of wit and unexpected insight. EVENT TIME

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5–6pm

LC34

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio

Ian Hislop: 40 Years On

In 2026, Ian Hislop marks an extraordinary 40 years as editor of Private Eye, the UK’s most successful satirical publication. In conversation with Times Radio presenter Ayesha Hazarika, he reflects on their landmark investigations, the most bruising legal battles, his favourite covers and how the magazine remains funny, fearless and indispensable. 6–7pm

Garden Theatre £16 This event is being recorded. Jack Edwards, the internet’s resident librarian, talks to author of Sorrow and Bliss Meg Mason about her achingly tender new novel, Sophie, Standing There. A recent divorcee finds comfort in the pages of books. Stumbling across an author she’d long forgotten, her books and interviews become a near obsessive lifeline. EVENT TIME

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17

EVENT TIME

Meg Mason: Inklings Book Club

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LC30

Kindly supported by Hazlewoods

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16 Paul Johnson, former director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies and barrister and author Hashi Mohamed explore why inequality continues to affect us all, from housing and work to education and social mobility. They consider why the gap between generations and different communities has grown and what steps might help build a fairer society. 6.30–7.30pm

With thanks to our event supporters

LR28

Challenging Inequalities

EVENT TIME

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6.30–7.30pm

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LC03

Russell T Davies

The Hive £16

a signed copy of The Queerest of Folk, RRP £25.

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £45, £42 Ticket includes

EVENT CODE

6.30–7.30pm

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8.15–9.15pm

LE31

The Wittering Whitehalls

Pillar Room, Town Hall £16 When a language disappears, we lose more than words. We lose a culture, a history and an inheritance. By the end of this century half the world’s 7000 languages will be gone. Journalist Sophia Smith Galer uncovers the human stories behind a global crisis. Len Pennie’s poetry celebrates language as a source of identity, resistance and connection. Sharing conversation, poetry and storytelling with Ann Morgan, they explore how endangered languages can continue to thrive. 7–8pm

EVENT TIME

LL04

How to Save a Language

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Join Russell T Davies and long-time collaborator Boyd Hilton, discussing Russell’s memoir, The Queerest of Folk. From early children’s TV and soaps to relaunching Doctor Who and bringing queer relationships to mainstream screens, glimpse inside the imagination of one of Britain’s most celebrated writers, plus secrets, gossip and shows that never were.

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LP14

From chart-topping podcasts to bestselling books and binge worthy TV, the past is back in vogue. Join 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. Chaired by Coco Khan. EVENT CODE

8.30–9.30pm

Join Michael and Hilary Whitehall for a special live session of their hit podcast Wittering Whitehalls. Since launching in 2022, the show has become a podcast phenomenon with thousands of devoted listeners. Expect affectionate bickering, sharp observations, showbusiness stories and hard-won life advice. Bring your questions, dilemmas and sense of humour. 8.30–9.30pm

The Hive £16

EVENT TIME

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16

EVENT TIME

Old Stories, New Voices

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LE12

LB04

Memoirs of Becoming Garden Theatre £16 Skins and Game of Thrones actor Hannah Murray has written one of the year’s most talked-about memoirs, chronicling her psychological collapse after becoming entangled in a cult-like organisation. Lydia Pang has explored her own struggles with burnout, fertility and cultural identity. They reflect on writing memoirs early in life and finding meaning after periods of uncertainty. EVENT TIME

8.30–9.30pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

It’s 8.31am and you’ve already replied to your boss’s overnight emails, unblocked the shower drain with bare hands and sorted out your mum’s supermarket order crisis. Welcome to midlife: where women are unstoppable, indispensable and completely exhausted. Stand-up comic Lucy Porter joins Shirley Halse to celebrate the women holding everything together. EVENT TIME

FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER

Middle-Aged Women Get Sh*t Done

EVENT CODE

LM08

FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

FIVE STOREYS ABOVE THE STORY Cheltenham Literature Festival takes you everywhere this year, from the world's greatest storytellers to the freshest new voices on the page. Once the talk ends, come up to The Nook On Five, ﬁve storeys above Imperial Square and steps from the festival gardens. Our rooftop bar looks out over the Cotswolds, with a short cocktail list made for long conversations about what you just heard. Debate your new favourite author, or just watch the sun go down on another day of Read the World. No better seat in Cheltenham for it. The Nook On Five The Quadrangle, Imperial Square, Cheltenham thenookcheltenham.co.uk

Maggie Aderin: A Journey to the Beginning of Time The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16

Cheltenham Bookshop Crawl Off-Site Walk £22 Meet at Box Office,

Montpellier Gardens. Wear suitable clothing.

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

10am–1pm 2.30–5.30pm

Browse the Shelves Visit the on-site Waterstones Bookshop to buy books and meet your favourite authors. A percentage of every purchase made on site is donated to our charitable work.

With thanks to our event supporters

LK01 LK02

EVENT TIME

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10–11am

LX02

Garden Theatre £16 Historian David Kynaston and broadcaster Samira Ahmed take us back to the heart of the Swinging Sixties: a time of extraordinary cultural confidence and sweeping social reforms in a country grappling with rapid change. This is the story of the transformation of Britain as it arrived at the brink of a new world. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

12–1pm

LH18

The Year in Books The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16

Illustrating Harry Potter Illustrator Levi Pinfold brings to life Harry Potter’s sixth year at Hogwarts. Explore his creative process, from absorbing the story, through early sketches to richly detailed four‑colour artwork, created using traditional techniques. With breathtaking detail, atmospheric landscapes and striking depictions of beloved characters, discover how his childhood in the Forest of Dean continues to shape his art.

Not sure what to read next? Let our panel of professional bookworms help you out. Join The Times and The Sunday Times Literary Editors Robbie Millen, Laura Hackett and Susie Goldsbrough alongside Francesca Beauman of Persephone Books in Bath, specialists in bringing lost classics to a new readership. Together they discuss what makes a bestseller, pick their personal favourite reads of 2026 and preview the best books to look out for next year with Tim Hubbard.

EVENT TIME

Pillar Room, Town Hall £12

10.30–11.30am

EVENT CODE

LF43

12–1pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Our sell-out Bookshop Crawl returns. Join fellow book lovers on a guided tour of the town’s literary scene to discover unique finds, indie bookshops and second-hand gems. Peruse the shelves, grab recommendations and peek behind the scenes with Cheltenham’s booksellers. Led by Bookshop Crawl UK CIC.

Can the James Webb Space Telescope really see the past? Scientist Maggie Aderin explains the extraordinary images transforming our understanding of the universe. From the birth of stars and galaxies to the mysteries of dark matter and the search for other worlds, she reveals the telescope’s breathtaking discoveries.

Deep Into the Sixties

SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER

Saturday 10 October

EVENT CODE

LC43

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio

SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER

The Booker Prize Shortlist Image: Mark Ramsay

Evan Gershkovich The Times The Times and Sunday Debate: Brexit: Times Forum Triumph or £20, £17 Tragedy? Join Rebecca Jones in

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

conversation with Evan Gershkovich, the reporter whose arrest by the FSB for spying in Russia led to an international outcry. In This Cursed Beautiful Land he recalls his time in Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo prison and his eventual release. With his deep understanding of Russian history and culture, he offers a remarkable portrait of a misunderstood country. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

12–1pm

LC14

How to Read a Latin Poem Pillar Room, Town Hall £16 Back by popular demand, unpick the meaning behind a Latin poem with your favourite classicists Mary Beard, Llewelyn Morgan and Peter Stothard. Translations are provided and minimal knowledge of Latin is required. EVENT TIME

12.30–1.30pm

EVENT CODE

LB03

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17 This event is being broadcast. Arrive by 2.15pm to be seated.

As the government seeks to reset our relationship with the EU, 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 debate Brexit’s legacy. A decade after “take back control”, they ask whether Brexit has delivered on its promises or permanently damaged Britain’s prospects. Introduced by the Editor of The Times, Tony Gallagher. EVENT TIME

2.25–3.45pm

EVENT CODE

LC01

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio

If you think you’re not a reader, you just haven’t found the right book for you. Graeme Charczuk, Waterstones Bookseller National Year of Reading

With thanks to our event supporters

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16 The Booker Prize is the world’s most significant award for a single work of fiction. It has rewarded and celebrated talent for over 55 years, shaping the canon of 20th and 21st century literature. Join Gaby Wood, Chief Executive of the Booker Prize Foundation, for our annual introduction to the six shortlisted books and their authors. The 2026 shortlist will be announced at an event and thebookerprizes.com on 22 September. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

2.30–3.30pm

LR19

How to Write a Memoir Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £58 Ticket includes a tea or coffee and refreshments.

Award-winning writer Tiffany Murray runs a workshop exploring how to bring your stories to life on the page. Whether memoir, fiction from lived experience, writing for publication or simply for yourself, this supportive, fun session will unlock your creativity. Tiffany’s memoir, My Family and Other Rock Stars tells of growing up with Freddie Mercury and David Bowie in her mother’s kitchen. EVENT TIME

4–6pm

EVENT CODE

W02

Image: Murdo Macleod

Maggie O’Farrell The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

4.30–5.30pm

LQ05

The bestselling author discusses the latest in his perennially adored No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency and 44 Scotland Street series and a new standalone novel, The Isle of Good Karma. From Botswana to the Hebrides, this is storytelling as a balm for the soul. Chaired by Tim Hubbard.

Kindly supported by Peter Stormonth Darling Charitable Trust and Waterstones

EVENT CODE

LR11

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

5–6pm

LR61

Kindly supported by the Dutch Foundation for Literature, part of New Dutch Writing, and presented in collaboration with Modern Culture

What Makes Britain British? Garden Theatre £16

From poetry to pop concerts, galleries to graffiti, can art help us live longer? Scientist Daisy Fancourt and Art Fund Director Jenny Waldman explore the remarkable links between creativity, culture and wellbeing. Drawing on the latest research, they reveal how art can reduce stress, ease pain, build resilience, combat loneliness and help us build healthier, more connected lives. Chaired by Julia Wheeler. 5–6pm

With thanks to our event supporters

LR03

Parabola Arts Centre £16

Garden Theatre £16

4.30–5.30pm

EVENT CODE

4.45–5.45pm

The Art Cure

Alexander McCall Smith

EVENT TIME

The water is rising: how do we stay afloat? From Britain to the Netherlands, Amy Lilwall and Eva Meijer imagine a near-future with the countries on the brink of submersion as people are forced into impossible decisions. What do they save and what do they leave behind? These urgent tales explore loss, identity and displacement on vanishing shores. Chaired by Rosie Goldsmith.

EVENT CODE

LA02

Former Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt and historian Helene von Bismarck discuss what it means to be British and how Britain appears to outsiders, in a timely conversation with the broadcaster and author Hashi Mohamed. From pageantry to parliament, the monarchy, immigration and Brexit they ask: what holds the United Kingdom together and how is Britishness changing? EVENT TIME

6.30–7.30pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Conflict mediator and psychotherapist Gabrielle Rifkind offers practical tools and wisdom to navigate conflict and prevent it from escalating. From finances and family life to world issues and the workplace, join Gabrielle in conversation with Times Radio presenter Hugo Rifkind as they discuss how to get along with almost anyone.

The bestselling author of Hamnet introduces her latest novel of upheaval and loss. Inspired by her own family’s history, Land is a portrait of a 19th century Irish family pulled apart whilst mapping a country ravaged by the Great Hunger. Chaired by Rebecca Jones.

Pillar Room, Town Hall £16

SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER

How to Agree to Disagree

Rising Tides

EVENT CODE

LC31

Kindly supported by Oldham Foundation

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

AD Not all great stories begin on land Set sail on an iconic Transatlantic Crossing in partnership with The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival. Enjoy seven days of storytelling, ideas, and conversation with celebrated literary voices on board the world’s only ocean liner, Queen Mary 2. Why cruise when you can Cunard. Literature Festival at Sea sailing November 2026 and December 2027

cunard.com/LFAS

Pillar Room, Town Hall £16

Frida Kahlo The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16

EVENT TIME

6.30–7.30pm

EVENT CODE

LA14

Your Festival, Your Way Pick from our outstanding selection of ticketed events, then explore all the Festival Village has to offer, from food and drink to free activities and family fun.

EVENT TIME

LR45

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17 This event is being broadcast. Arrive by 6.50pm to be seated.

Bestselling storyteller Jeffrey Archer joins Times Radio broadcaster and labour peer Ayesha Hazarika to discuss Adam and Eve, his ambitious final novel. Spanning love, class and WWII, the book asks how one moment could have changed history forever. Together, they reflect on an extraordinary writing career and Jeffrey’s final book. EVENT TIME

Ultimate Autumn Style Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £30 Ticket includes a glass of

fizz or soft drink.

Jeffrey Archer

7–8pm

With thanks to our event supporters

EVENT CODE

7–8pm

Plan Your Visit Download the Festival App – your one stop shop for all things Cheltenham Literature Festival.

Keeping up with everchanging fashion trends can feel like a full-time job for both your budget and your wardrobe. Here to walk you through the latest catwalk styles and show you how to make this season’s trends work for you are The Times experts, Fashion Director Anna Murphy and Style Editor Prue White. EVENT TIME

7–8pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Artist. Activist. Feminist. Icon. 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, politics and selfhood. Art critic and writer Hettie Judah, artist Luisa-Maria MacCormack and author and curator Chloe Sayer explore her life, work and legacy. Chaired by Jo Baring.

Madeline Cash’s Lost Lambs is a portrait of a family in freefall. As chaos engulfs the Flynns, a threat from a nefarious billionaire might just bring them back together. Stacey Yu’s Kitten is a sharp dissection of arrested development, the desire to be looked after and the uncertainty of becoming yourself, told through a woman’s unhealthy attachment to her boyfriend’s cat. Together, they talk to Coco Khan about their debut novels.

SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER

Madeline Cash and Stacey Yu: New Voices

EVENT CODE

LL10

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio

EVENT CODE

LE57

SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER

Drowning Valleys, Haunted Hills Parabola Arts Centre £16

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Clare Clark and Liam Higginson discuss the terrifying lengths we go to protect what we know. In Adder Stone, a young boy becomes involved in the fight to protect land that is soon to be drowned. The Hill in the Dark Grove sees a couple, the last in a long line of sheep farmers, fighting for survival on a hillside farm in North Wales. Chaired by Literary Explorer in Residence, Ann Morgan. EVENT TIME

7.30–8.30pm

LR65

The Great Dictator Garden Theatre £16 Matthew Sweet, writer and broadcaster, joins The Times Literary Editor Robbie Millen for a richly entertaining conversation about Barbara Cartland, the queen of romantic fiction. Drawing on her archive, The Great Dictator uncovers the ambition and insecurity behind the pink chiffon and pearls and reveals a life of country-house dramas, séances, plagiarism rows and an unlikely campaign for Romany rights. EVENT TIME

8.30–9.30pm

EVENT CODE

LD12

An Audience with Sandi Toksvig George Michael Changed My Life The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16 Sathnam Sanghera talks to novelist Emma Forrest (Father Figure) about his new book, Tonight the Music Seems So Loud, exploring George Michael’s life – a kaleidoscopic story of immigration, homophobia, fame, creative genius, tabloids, addiction, obsessive fans and why love for George Michael has only grown since his tragic death, Christmas Day 2016. EVENT TIME

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £23, £20 Come and join the comedian, broadcaster, campaigner (and tiny Danish beacon of hope) for an evening celebrating her love and passion for writers and books. The show will be packed with silly stories, profound truths, fascinating facts, readings from her latest book Friends of Dorothy and a quick-fire Q&A. Life affirming, wise and funny. EVENT TIME

9–10pm

EVENT CODE

8.30–9.30pm

LE17

Donating £10 could help cover the cost of a pack filled with toys, tools and aids, enabling someone with sensory issues to experience the Festival comfortably

EVENT CODE

LE56

The Sunday Papers with Patrick Maguire Kate Atkinson

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

10–11am

LC04

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio

Dogs and Us The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17 They steal our socks, disrupt our routines and somehow become the most important part of the family. Tony Parsons, Sophia MoneyCoutts and Stephanie Howard-Smith celebrate the comedy and companionship of life with dogs. From beloved spaniels to mischievous terriers, they share funny and moving stories of love, loyalty and the extraordinary bonds we build with our four-legged companions. They speak about why dogs so often change our lives for the better. EVENT TIME

10–11am

EVENT CODE

LL15

Mark Alleyne and Stephen Chalke Pillar Room, Town Hall £16 Cricketing legend and Gloucestershire Head Coach Mark Alleyne reflects on an extraordinary career with biographer Stephen Chalke. From Barbados and Haringey Cricket College to becoming Gloucestershire’s youngest centurion, the experience of captaining England and the emotions of scoring a century in the first Cup triumph at Lord’s, in conversation with Simon Lister they explore how the game has changed in the 40 years since Mark’s county debut, the growing role of the coach and the impact of franchise cricket. EVENT TIME

10.30–11.30am

EVENT CODE

LU05

Mick Herron and Kate Atkinson come together to discuss her compelling new novel, Our Nobel Selves. Following an unlikely duo in post-war Britain, an outof-work reporter receives unexpected solutions to his mounting problems from a spirited 13 year old. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

12–1pm

LR16

Kindly supported by Tarren Production

The Times Live The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16 Go behind the scenes at The Times, joining senior journalists Patrick Maguire, Daniel Finkelstein, Jenny McCartney and Emma Duncan as they meet to discuss the leading articles for tomorrow’s edition with Executive Editor Jeremy Griffin. Get the inside line on the unfolding stories of the day and get a chance to vote on what you think should be included... EVENT TIME

12–1pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Start your Sunday the right way with your host, The Times Chief Political Commentator Patrick Maguire, joined by the FT’s Whitehall Editor Lucy Fisher, Cheltenham Literature Festival’s Nicola Tuxworth and The Times Literary Editor Robbie Millen as they run through the Sunday papers and pick out the stories that matter – and the ones that really don’t but make you smile anyway.

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17

SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER

Sunday 11 October

EVENT CODE

LC08

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio

With thanks to our event supporters

events made

One book. One community. One Big Read. The Big Read is back for 2026 and we couldn’t be more excited to continue bringing readers together through the power of one shared story. Hear from Big Read author Virginia Evans: The Big Read Book Club, Sunday 11 October, 2–3pm

p. 27

Virginia Evans: The Sunday Times Must Reads, Sunday 11 October, 6.30–7.30pm

p. 30

This year’s pick is The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, fresh from winning th e 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction. Find out what we’re doing to celebrate The Big Read this year at the Festival and …around town. Produced by

Pillar Room, Town Hall £16

Matthew Rice: How to Look, Draw and Paint Garden Theatre £16

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

12–1pm

A Great Family Day Out Turn to p.79 to find our ticketed family events and discover more about all the fun, FREE activities happening in our Festival Village.

With thanks to our event supporters

LA07

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

12.30–1.30pm

LT04

The Big Read Book Club Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £23 Ticket includes a glass of fizz

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17 This event is being broadcast. Arrive by 2.15pm to be seated.

Our expert panel takes stock at the halfway point of Donald Trump’s second presidency. The Sunday Times Editor Ben Taylor is joined by Republicans Overseas spokesperson Sarah Elliott, Washington Editor Katy Balls and columnist Mark Urban The pace and scale of change over the past two years has left allies wrongfooted and US voters deeply divided. With the midterms looming, what might the next two years bring?

or soft drink.

EVENT TIME

Fresh from winning the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction, join Virginia Evans to delve deeper into The Correspondent, a witty, moving and deeply human novel about loneliness, connection and the power of reaching out. Explore the world of letters, secrets and unexpected friendships in this perfect shared read. Chaired by The Times and Sunday Times Fashion Director, Anna Murphy.

2.25–3.45pm

EVENT TIME

2–3pm

EVENT CODE

LR27

EVENT CODE

LC09

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio

There is a place for you to be, it can be comics. It can be manga. Not every book is for everyone and that is absolutely fine.

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Artist Matthew Rice has documented a lifetime of memories and moments in pen and watercolour, from heritage apples to Venetian rooftops. Through conversation and live painting demonstrations, the designer of Emma Bridgewater pottery shares the artistic lessons he has learned, encouraging us to create art of our own. Chaired by Clare Clark.

How can we overcome fear and doubt to unlock our potential? Mountaineer and polar explorer Mollie Hughes and adventurer Vicki Anstey share life lessons forged in the world’s most hostile environments. They join Pip Stewart to discuss resilience, mindset and having the courage to write your own story.

The Sunday Times Debate: Trump and the Midterms

SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER

Lessons in Living Boldly

Charli Clement, Activist and author National Year of Reading

SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER

Rethinking the Tudor World The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Shakespeare called England “this little world” but was it ever? Nandini Das joins David Olusoga to challenge this national myth, revealing a Tudor and Stuart nation shaped by migration, trade and cultural exchange. Through the stories of merchants, travellers, sailors and spies, she shows us that England was culturally diverse and far less isolated than traditional histories suggest. EVENT TIME

LH11

Kindly supported by the British Academy

Secrets and Lies The Hive £12 A haunting thriller inspired by real events and a gripping murder shaped by ruthless ambition. Unpack questions of truth, pressure and power and discover how to craft a killer thriller with YA stars Faridah ÀbíkéÍyímídé and Sarah Crossan, in conversation with Sharna Jackson. EVENT TIME

4–5pm

EVENT CODE

2.30–3.30pm

With thanks to our event supporters

EVENT CODE

LF34

David Olusoga

Ian Rankin: The Heights

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £23, £20

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16 In conversation with Rebecca Jones, one of our finest crime writers talks about his first standalone thriller in two decades. The Heights is a billionaire’s playground for the global elite. But when a night concierge is found murdered in the lobby, Detective Gillian Gish must find a way past their power, wealth and influence. EVENT TIME

4.30–5.30pm

EVENT CODE

LR32

Join David Olusoga, one of Britain’s most acclaimed historians and broadcasters, as we explore his remarkable career, from bestselling books and landmark series like A House Through Time to captivating audiences on Celebrity Traitors. Through his writing and broadcasting, David has brought overlooked histories to wider audiences and become one of the country’s most influential and engaging historians. Chaired by author and broadcaster Kavita Puri. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

4.45–5.45pm

LE38

Donating £15 could help us reach our goal to make 50% of our activity free by 2030

SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER

Akane Araki: Picks From Japan: Pillar Room, Town Hall £16 Japan’s most exciting new crime writer Akane Araki discusses her prize-winning murder mystery with our Literary Explorer in Residence Ann Morgan. In Murder at the End of the World, a young woman and her driving instructor must work together to stop a serial killer before the apocalypse. 5–6pm

EVENT CODE

LR41

Presented in collaboration with the Japan Foundation. Kindly supported by The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation

Imani Thompson and Leodora Darlington: New Voices The Hive £16

EVENT TIME

6.30–7.30pm

With thanks to our event supporters

EVENT CODE

LR36

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £23, £20

Parabola Arts Centre £16 Women’s bodies are endlessly scrutinised, but who gets to decide their value? In Bimbo, Ashley James explores 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 and the commodification of the maternal body. They talk to Poorna Bell about imagining a fairer future for women, tackling autonomy, empowerment and who profits from women’s lives. EVENT TIME

Leodora Darlington’s The Exes asks what you do when there’s a killer in your house, and you think it might be you? In Imani Thompson’s Honey, the unintentional murder of a professor leads a student down the notalways-righteous path of taking justice into your own hands. Coco Khan talks to the authors of two of this year’s most anticipated reads.

Meera Syal

6.30–7.30pm

EVENT CODE

LC18

Keep looking until you find the story that means something to you because it’s definitely out there. Jeffrey Boakye, Author and Broadcaster National Year of Reading

Meera Syal talks to Kavita Puri about her deeply personal new memoir, Vigilauntie, structured around chance remarks that changed her life’s course. From family expectations and an arranged marriage attempt, to groundbreaking comedy and a celebrated career, Meera explores motherhood, identity, Partition’s legacy, family and finding your place. EVENT TIME

6.30–7.30pm

EVENT CODE

LE05

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

EVENT TIME

Bodies, Power and Choice

SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER

Things We Found William Hague: in the Ground My Desert Pillar Room, Town Hall Island Books £16

Virginia Evans: The Sunday Times Must Reads Garden Theatre £16

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Each morning, Sybil Van Antwerp writes letters to her friends, her family, her favourite authors and the one person to whom she never sends. The author of this year’s Big Read talks to The Times’ Deputy Literary Editor Laura Hackett about her Women’s Prize for Fiction winning novel, The Correspondent. EVENT TIME

6.30–7.30pm

EVENT CODE

LR12

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio

Pay it Forward With every Waterstones purchase, you can gift another book to a child in need in Gloucestershire. All books will be given to children in our community who might not otherwise have access to books.

With thanks to our event supporters

Every field has a story to tell. Beneath our feet lie thousands of years of forgotten lives, waiting to be uncovered – from lost coins and jewellery to the everyday objects that connect us with those who came before. Metal detectorist cousins Ellie Bruce and Lucie Gray are joined by archaeologist Mark Horton to celebrate the thrill of discovery. Chaired by Tiffany Murray. Fancy trying your hand at metal detecting? Join our dig on Monday! See p.32 for details. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

7–8pm

LH09

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

7–8pm

LD14

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio

Dunkertons £16

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £16

Join literary guides Rosie Goldsmith, Ann Morgan and Daniel Hahn for a relaxed evening celebrating international fiction. They’ll explore voices from around the world, recommend hidden literary gems and discover how stories cross borders and cultures. A unique salon for curious readers and global minds. 7–8pm

The Chancellor of Oxford University, former Foreign Secretary and The Times columnist William Hague joins the novelist Clare Clark to share the books he would most like to be cast away with, reflecting on the writing that has shaped his life. A wide-ranging conversation about reading, leadership, memory and the private library behind a remarkable public career.

The High/Low Pub Quiz

International Bookshelf

EVENT TIME

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17

EVENT CODE

LR67

Join quiz master Jonah Freud and put your wits and useless knowledge to the test with this dizzying blend of academia and pop culture. As fiendish as it is foolish, this is the lovechild of University Challenge and Heat magazine. Come along as a group or on your own, everyone is welcome. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

7.30–9pm

LDF12

The Nook on Five £100 Ticket includes a three-

course dinner with matched wines. Doors open 6.30pm.

Join Sunday Times wine columnist and host of the award-winning Wine Times podcast, Will Lyons, for an evening of fine wine and conversation with bestselling crime writer Ian Rankin. Ian’s iconic detective Rebus may favour ale or whisky, but his creator has an interest in wine, sparked by a stint working in a Bordeaux vineyard in the 1980s. Enjoy a delicious three-course dinner in their company, with Will’s selection of perfectly matched wines. EVENT TIME

7–10pm

EVENT CODE

LDF06

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio

Garden Theatre £16 Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan Maclean made headlines last year when they broke the world record for rowing unsupported across the Pacific Ocean. Across 9,000 miles they endured violent tropical storms, survived one brother being washed overboard and – in a surreal turn of events – took a call from Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg. Just a few years earlier, they were complete novices with no rowing experience. They share their story with Vicki Anstey. EVENT TIME

Plan Your Perfect Festival on the Cheltenham Festivals app Available on Android and iOS, it’s the easiest way to plan your Festival visit.

EVENT CODE

8.30–9.30pm

LT02

Elif Shafak The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16 Spanning decades and continents, from France to Istanbul, Egypt and Beirut, Elif Shafak’s astonishing new novel asks what literature can offer when the world feels broken. In One Brief Moment All Eternity, she paints a portrait of Gustave Flaubert told through the women who shaped him. Chaired by Rebecca Jones. EVENT TIME

8.30–9.30pm

EVENT CODE

LR38

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Dinner with The Sunday Times Wine Club

Three Brothers in a Boat

SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER

The Perfect Book Lover’s Retreat Head to The Snug located in the Feast Cafe to swap recommendations, join a community group or immerse yourself in crafts.

Scan the QR code to download it now

Developed with thanks to Birmingham City University

With thanks to our event supporters

MONDAY 12 OCTOBER

Monday 12 October

Breakfast with The Times: Behind the Headlines

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £17, £14

coffee and a pastry. Please wear suitable footwear.

The Nook on Five £35 Ticket includes a light

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Join us at The Nook on Five and make an informed start to your day with a light breakfast and some of the sharpest minds in journalism. The Sunday Times Editor Ben Taylor, writer and columnist Mark Urban and the FT’s Whitehall Editor Lucy Fisher guide you through the stories making today’s headlines. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

8.30–10am

LC05

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio and kindly supported by BPE solicitors LLP

Meet the Team Look out for the pink Cheltenham Festivals tent in the heart of the Festival village. Ask your questions, find out more about our work in the community and get to know the team behind the Festival.

With thanks to our event supporters

Exploring Wild Britain

Dunkertons Taproom £60 Ticket includes tea or

breakfast. Doors open 8am.

Try Metal Detecting: Guided Dig

Ever wondered what lies beneath your feet? Enjoy a morning of metal detecting with experts on hand to guide you. Whether you unearth a centuries-old coin, a forgotten artefact or simply a new passion, this is a unique opportunity to explore the past for yourself. All equipment is provided. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

10am–1.30pm

LDF07

Kindly supported by Minelab

Sarah Perry: Death of an Ordinary Man Sarah Perry’s father-in-law David died days after a cancer diagnosis. He was in some ways an ordinary man. Yet in his final days, it became clear how extraordinary he was. Sarah’s unforgettable book is a deeply moving account of life and death, love and care. 10.30–11.30am

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

12–1pm

LT03

A Fatal Love

Pillar Room, Town Hall £14

EVENT TIME

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. From the centuries of history beneath our feet to the quirks and encounters that come with slow travel, they show you the best way to discover our nation – through its wild places, one step at a time.

EVENT CODE

LR74

Pillar Room, Town Hall £14 Ruth Ellis became the last woman to be executed in the United Kingdom following the fatal shooting of her abusive lover. Her granddaughter Laura Enston spent years campaigning for justice, securing Ruth’s posthumous pardon in a landmark ruling this year. She is joined by Louisa Treger, the author of A Fatal Love, which compassionately explores Ruth’s story. Together, they reflect on her legacy and why her story still resonates today. EVENT TIME

12.30–1.30pm

EVENT CODE

LR73

The Undersea War

How to Paint a Masterpiece

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £18, £15

Garden Theatre £14

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £17, £14

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

1–2pm

LC21

A hidden network of undersea cables and pipelines sustains our world, but it is no longer safe. National security expert Elisabeth Braw and award-winning investigative journalist Bojan Pancevski explore the growing battle beneath the waves. From the Baltic to the Pacific, in conversation with Julia Wheeler they examine the high-stakes fragility of this infrastructure and ask whether control of the deep sea is becoming the next geopolitical frontline. EVENT TIME

Claudia MacGregor and T. A. Barron bring their love of the natural world by exploring the variety of language we use to describe it. In conversation with Daze Aghaji, they argue a decline in the use of naturerelated words across books, songs and on film is impeding our connection to nature and fight to rewild our language. 2–3pm

EVENT CODE

2–3pm

LA01

LC27

Kindly supported by CyNam and Origin8tive

The Hive £14

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

2–3pm

Rewild our Language

Masterpieces don’t emerge serenely from an artist’s studio. Artist and broadcaster Lachlan Goudie uncovers how the physical elements of painting have long shaped artistic expression. From the earliest cave pigments through to ink, fresco, oil and digital media, he brings to life artists from Giotto to Hockney to reveal how materials have transformed what painting can be.

EVENT CODE

LN07

Calling all teachers Book your tickets to the Reading Teachers = Reading Pupils launch event. Meet three of this year’s featured children’s authors and receive a set of five books for your key stage.

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

The FT’s Whitehall Editor Lucy Fisher joins MP Jess Phillips, author and historian Anthony Seldon and the Institute for Government’s Hannah White to reflect on a decade of unprecedented political upheaval. Our politicians come to power promising sweeping reform and change, but government seems to be getting harder and voters more frustrated. Who or what is to blame?

MONDAY 12 OCTOBER

Who Runs Britain?

Tuesday 13 October, 6–7.30pm Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £10 Ticket includes a drink on arrival Search LEY5 on our website for more information and to book.

With thanks to our event supporters

Our Future in Numbers

This year, we launched The Next Chapter. Our new five-year strategy. Together, we’ll create more opportunities for young people, bring our archive to life and use culture to spark curiosity, connect communities and inspire change.

450,000

50%

children and young people engaged in culture

of Festival activity FREE

Double

£37m

engagement with residents from the most economically deprived areas of Cheltenham

20% +

of talent on our stages represent the global majority

raised to invest back into the cultural economy

100%

of schools with high levels of disadvantage, SEND schools and alternative provision providers in Gloucestershire engaged with our projects

Learn more about our 2030 Strategy cheltenhamfestivals.org/2030-strategy

Dieter Helm: Climate Realism

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £36 Ticket includes a glass of fizz

or soft drink and a goody bag of limited edition proofs.

The Art of the Short Story Pillar Room, Town Hall £14

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

2.30–3.30pm

LR30

*Participant appearing digitally

Lucy Worsley: Queens and Kings The Times and Sunday Times Forum £18, £15 As former chief curator at Historic Royal Palaces – including Hampton Court, the Tower of London and Kensington Palace – Lucy Worsley takes us behind the scenes of what she calls “the best job in the world”, revealing the plots, passions and power struggles that shaped Britain’s royal past. EVENT TIME

3.30–4.30pm

EVENT CODE

LH01

EVENT TIME

What will it take to tackle the climate crisis? Energy policy expert Dieter Helm challenges conventional thinking on renewables, carbon offsets and economic growth, arguing for practical, evidence-based solutions. In conversation with The Times science writer Tom Whipple, Dieter explores how smarter policies can avoid past mistakes and deliver meaningful climate action. EVENT TIME

4.30–5.30pm

EVENT CODE

LC42

EVENT CODE

4–5pm

LR47

Simon Armitage & Elif Shafak: Gilgamesh The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £17, £14 What makes a story survive for thousands of years? Author Elif Shafak and Simon Armitage explore the enduring power of the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the world’s oldest surviving works of literature. From ancient Mesopotamia to the present day, its themes of friendship, grief, ambition and the search for meaning continue to resonate. Speaking with Daniel Hahn, they ask why, after four millennia, we still recognise ourselves in one of the oldest stories ever told. EVENT TIME

4.30–5.30pm

EVENT CODE

LD10

Fiesta: A Journey Through Festivity The Hive £14

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

There’s no room for wasted words in a well-crafted short story, where balancing dialogue, description and detail is vital. International Booker Prize-winner Banu Mushtaq* and BBC National Short Story Award winner Lucy Caldwell talk to our Literary Explorer in Residence Ann Morgan about their masterful short fiction collections, Heart Lamp and Devotions.

Hodder & Stoughton present two outstanding debuts: Abigail Avis’ Wet Ink sees a stifled housewife swap Tupperware parties for erotic fiction; Niamh Connolly’s We Go Way Back We Go Way Back is the story of a friendship forever on the brink of something more. Perfect for fans of Bonnie Garmus or David Nicholls.

Garden Theatre £14

MONDAY 12 OCTOBER

Hodder & Stoughton Proof Party

From Shetland’s blazing Viking fire festival to sacrificial funeral rites in Indonesia and the famously chaotic Cooper’s Hill cheese roll, Daniel Stables has experienced the world’s most eye-catching gatherings. He talks to Ash Bhardwaj about why ritual, spectacle and shared celebration are such powerful expressions of what it means to be human. EVENT TIME

4.30–5.30pm

EVENT CODE

LT06

MONDAY 12 OCTOBER Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Ning Ken: Read the World Pillar Room, Town Hall £14 Our Literary Explorer in Residence Ann Morgan talks to one of China’s most distinctive contemporary novelists. His acclaimed novel Tibetan Sky sees a chance encounter open questions of philosophy, love and spirituality. The era-defining novelist talks about his life, his work and how literature can challenge our assumptions about other cultures. EVENT TIME

5–6pm

EVENT CODE

LR53

I taught English and saw young people come alive through finding the right book. Ali Mawle, Cheltenham Festivals co-CEO National Year of Reading

Nigel Planer: Young Once

Childfree by Choice

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17

The Hive £16

Join actor, writer and comedy legend Nigel Planer as he discusses his funny, moving and gloriously unconventional memoir, Young Once, with Julia Wheeler. Best known as Neil from The Young Ones, Nigel reflects on an extraordinary life, from gravedigger to comedy icon, reminiscing about Adrian Edmondson, Rik Mayall and more in this conversation on fame, friendship and finding happiness in unlikely places. EVENT TIME

6–7pm

LE39

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £16 In an era defined by noise, disinformation and ideological echo chambers, what does truth look like and who decides it? The Baillie Gifford Prize celebrates the best non-fiction books of the year and shows why these stories shape our understanding of the world. Join Director Toby Mundy and 2026 judges Kirsty Lang and Ravi Mattu for a fascinating overview of this year’s shortlisted books. 6–7pm

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

6.30–7.30pm

LL06

EVENT CODE

The Baillie Gifford Prize: Why Non-Fiction Matters

EVENT TIME

Feminist academic Helen Taylor and journalist Poorna Bell explore what it means to choose a childfree life in a world that often defines women through motherhood. As more young people are weighing up this lifechanging decision, join them for a thoughtful conversation across generations as they challenge assumptions about family, womanhood and what makes a life meaningful.

EVENT CODE

LC37

On the Future of Species Garden Theatre £16 Could artificial intelligence’s next frontier be life itself? Adrian Woolfson argues that AI is helping scientists unlock the language of DNA, opening the door to new medicines, resilient crops and entirely novel organisms. Yet the power to design life raises profound questions about ethics, ecology and what it means to be human. In conversation with The Times correspondent Tom Whipple, Adrian explores one of the defining scientific revolutions of our time and asks how we can navigate it wisely. EVENT TIME

6.30–7.30pm

EVENT CODE

LC40

Milk Poetry Slam

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16

Story Shack £16

EVENT TIME

Every word counts in this high-energy night of spoken word. Expect big feelings, sharp wit and unforgettable performances as some of the most exciting poets take to the stage. Featuring legendary spoken word artist Luke Wright and acclaimed poet and performer Maureen Onwunali, alongside a host of rising talents. EVENT TIME

6.30–7.30pm

EVENT CODE

LDF15

From Burnout to Balance Pillar Room, Town Hall £16 One in three of us experience high levels of stress. So what can we do to balance our busy lives and prevent burnout? Neuroscientist Joseph Jebelli and mindset coach Lily Silverton share their advice on how to rest better and shift your mindset for a happier and healthier life. EVENT TIME

8–9pm

EVENT CODE

LQ02

EVENT CODE

6.30–7.30pm

LM07

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

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. Talking to broadcaster Max Whittle, he recalls the madnesses that drink – and his longing for it – have driven him to, offering a fascinating insight into the world of addiction and recovery.

MONDAY 12 OCTOBER

John Robins: Thirst

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday pp. 32, 46, 53 8.30–10am

Breakfast with The Times Sunday 11 October, 7–10pm

Dinner with The Sunday Times Wine Club p. 31 Tuesday 13 October, 5.30–7pm

Death by Noir

p. 42

Wednesday 14 October, 5.30–7pm

Secrets of a Beauty Editor

p. 49

Thursday 15 October, 5.30–7pm

Scotland’s Island Whiskies

p. 56

Sunday 18 October, 5.30–6.30pm

W&N Proof Party: Stories from WWII

p. 74

A special series of events hosted at Cheltenham’s spectacular rooftop restaurant.

MONDAY 12 OCTOBER

Membership starts from just £48 per year Join today!

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Becoming a member is a great way to support Cheltenham Festivals By being a Cheltenham Festivals member, you play an active role in our mission to create experiences that bring joy, spark curiosity, connect communities and inspire change. Your Membership supports our year-round work providing over 80,000 children and young people and 500 schools with access to culture each year. It also helps us keep at least 50% of our activity free to enjoy.

✓P riority booking for our Jazz, Science, Music and Literature Festivals

✓ S tay updated on Festival news

✓G et brochures sent to your home

Find out more and join today at cheltenhamfestivals. org/membership

Remaking Suede The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17 Neil Codling, keyboardist, rhythm guitarist, cosongwriter and Mat Osman, bassist, discuss their life and times in Suede, one of the UK’s biggest bands, during the remarkable second act of their 35-year career. Awardwinning writer Rodge Glass was granted unprecedented access to Suede at home, backstage, in rehearsal and in the studio, to write an intimate biography of the famously private, platinum selling, Mercury Prizewinning, band. EVENT TIME

8.15–9.15pm

EVENT CODE

LE25

Everybody Loves Our Dollars The Hive £16

8.30–9.30pm

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16 Actress Rachael Stirling talks to her husband Guy Garvey discussing All About My Mother, her warm, funny and deeply moving portrait of her mother, the legendary Diana Rigg. Beyond the icon of stage, film and television, this book reveals the woman behind the image, a conversation on family, grief, love and an extraordinary life fully lived. EVENT TIME

Step inside the shadowy world of money laundering with Orwell Prize-winning journalist Oliver Bullough. In conversation with Julia Wheeler, Oliver exposes the fraudsters, cartels and corrupt systems that fuel the dark side of the global economy, revealing why there has never been a better time to be a criminal and how they might be stopped. EVENT TIME

Rachael Stirling: All About My Mother, Diana Rigg

EVENT CODE

LC28

8.30–9.30pm

LE43

Donna Ashworth Garden Theatre £16 Beloved poet and Sunday Times bestselling author Donna Ashworth has become a voice of comfort, hope and connection. Sharing poems and prose from her new collection The Art of Being Easily Pleased, she explores the power of poetry to transform the way we see the world and reflects on finding beauty in the everyday with her most uplifting work yet. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

8.30–9.30pm

EVENT CODE

LP01

Hidden Lives: The Renoir Girls The Cunard Stage, Women Artists, Town Hall Love and Survival £17, £14

The News in Numbers The Times and Sunday Times Forum £14

EVENT TIME

10.30–11.30am

EVENT CODE

LC44

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio

Plan Your Visit Download the Festival App – your one stop shop for all things Cheltenham Literature Festival.

Rebecca Birrell and Victoria Redel discuss their historical novels that illuminate the lives of women artists shaped by love, ambition and history. Venus, Vanishing follows a young artist in 1920s Berlin as fascism closes in, while I Am You explores devotion, rivalry and identity in the Dutch Golden Age. They discuss art as survival, desire and obsession and the hidden stories of women too often written out of history. Chaired by Ann Morgan. EVENT TIME

In 1881, Renoir painted two sisters from the Cahen d’Anvers family, a Jewish banking dynasty. His portrait captured the glamour of Belle Époque Paris: sunlit châteaux and salons alive with art, music and conversation. Talking to The Times columnist Daniel Finkelstein, Catherine Ostler reveals how this world of privilege and culture was transformed by antisemitism, war and exile. EVENT TIME

12–1pm

LH17

EVENT CODE

10.30–11.30am

LR69

No Place Like Home Dunkertons Taproom £14 How do we create a home that is both beautiful and personal? Interior designer Jojo Barr, founder of House Nine, is known for her elegant, timeless interiors, including beautiful Cotswolds homes. In conversation with Nick Purchase, she explores how to create spaces that feel stylish, personal and liveable. EVENT TIME

11am–12pm

EVENT CODE

LDF09

Cecile Pin Pillar Room, Town Hall £14 Cecile Pin’s Celestial Lights is Homer’s Odyssey for the modern age. A renowned astronaut is given the opportunity to lead a decade-long mission which will catapult him into unchartered territory, but will his wife, child and the world he remembers still be waiting when he returns? Chaired by Daniel Hahn. EVENT TIME

12.30–1.30pm

With thanks to our event supporters

EVENT CODE

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Tom Calver is Data Editor at The Times and The Sunday Times, crunching the numbers behind some of the biggest stories of the day. How much does immigration really cost Britain? Can we afford to keep the pension triple lock? Which generation genuinely had it best? Join him for a fascinating look at the real numbers behind the headlines – and stay tuned for the surprising truths hidden within our favourite songs.

Pillar Room, Town Hall £14

TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER

Tuesday 13 October

EVENT CODE

LR22

TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER

Capital at risk

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

AD Ideas shape the way At TrinityBridge, we believe both matter. For more than 30 years, individuals, families we see the world. and business owners have trusted us to guide their financial decisions – with clarity, Care shapes the way care and a long-term perspective. proud to partner with the Cheltenham we move through it. We’re Literature Festival as the first-ever sponsor

of its Volunteer Programme – supporting the people whose time, warmth and dedication bring the Festival to life. Because whether in literature or in life, it’s often the conversations we nurture that make the greatest difference.

trinitybridge.com

Investment management | Financial planning

TrinityBridge is a trading name of TrinityBridge Limited (registered in England and Wales under company number 01644127) and TrinityBridge Fund Management Limited (registered in England and Wales under company number 02998803). Both companies are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: Wigmore Yard, 42 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 2RY.

Yann Martel

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £18, £15

Pillar Room, Town Hall £14

EVENT TIME

1–2pm

EVENT CODE

LH23

House of Boleyn The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £17, £14 Step inside the world of one of England’s most fascinating dynasties with historian and broadcaster Tracy Borman, as she introduces her new novel. Set in Hever Castle, the Boleyn family’s beloved home, it brings vividly to life the drama, ambition and intrigue that shaped their extraordinary rise and devastating fall. EVENT TIME

2–3pm

William Morris and His Gardens Garden Theatre £14 William Morris’s designs are woven into our national consciousness. Step into the gardens that fed his imagination with cultural botanist Gavin Francis Stoneystreet. Visiting Red House, Kelmscott Manor, Kelmscott House and the remarkable factory garden at Merton Abbey, Gavin talks to Daze Aghaji about the central role these places played in Morris’s life and work. EVENT TIME

2–3pm

EVENT CODE

LL08

EVENT CODE

LH05

The Art of Memoir The Hive £14 Blake Morrison is one of our most celebrated memoirists; his intimate portraits of his parents and family members explore how our understanding of those closest to us shifts over time. In her first memoir, acclaimed novelist Louise Doughty examines her parents’ love story. With Tiffany Murray, they discuss the craft of memoir, the stories families tell and withhold and the responsibility of bearing witness to the unknowable inner lives of others. EVENT TIME

2–3pm

The Life of Pi author introduces Son of Nobody. Leaving behind his daughter and a fracturing marriage, an academic travels to Oxford where a chance discovery reveals a lost account of the Trojan War. He finds himself profoundly connected to its timeless themes of homesickness, regret and grief. Chaired by Daniel Hahn. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

2.30–3.30pm

LR68

Declassified: The World of Secret Intelligence The Times and Sunday Times Forum £18, £15 For over 100 years, MI5’s story remained hidden behind locked doors. Now, with unprecedented access to thousands of declassified files, archivists Mark Dunton and Stephen Twigge reveal the spycraft that helped safeguard British democracy, from surveillance logs to interrogation transcripts and intercepted phone calls. Joined by former GCHQ Director David Omand, they discuss the history and evolution of intelligence work – and how secrets are managed, sometimes for decades – with spy novelist Ava Glass. EVENT TIME

3.30–4.30pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

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 of Dad’s Army. Sinclair reveals the courage, ingenuity and spirit of the wartime volunteers who stood ready to defend Britain, while Jeffrey shares insights from his long association with the TV series and its creators. With Tim Hubbard, they explore how their affectionate portrayal of the Home Guard has kept its history alive for generations.

TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER

Dad’s Army

EVENT CODE

LH24

EVENT CODE

LM04

TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER

Canongate Proof Party

Claude Monet: A Life in Letters

Anita Brookner: Art and Life

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £36 Ticket includes a glass of

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £17, £14

Pillar Room, Town Hall £14

fizz or soft drink and a goody bag of limited edition proofs.

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Canongate presents three blinding debuts: Renny Gong’s Ping Pong Kids, set at an elite Chinese table tennis academy; Rosa Friend’s Bite the Hand is an exploration of complicated relationships and isolation; Keith Jarrett’s We Were One of Many Voices, set between London and Jamaica, interrogates sexuality and the impact of the stories we inherit. Chaired by Literary Explorer in Residence Ann Morgan. EVENT TIME

4–5pm

EVENT CODE

LR49

Glorious Gloucestershire Garden Theatre £14 Mentions of Gloucestershire often inspire images of rolling hills, quaint villages and quirky traditions. Mark Cummings explores the lesser known parts of our county from literary locations and fascinating folklore to ancient rivalries and secret viewpoints. Chaired by Tim Hubbard. EVENT TIME

4.30–5.30pm

EVENT CODE

LK03

Curators Teresa Krasny and Karen Serres offer a rare glimpse into the father of Impressionism’s life and practice through his own words. From his formative years to fame at the end of his life, Claude Monet’s letters reveal his passions, anxieties and frank opinions. Accompanied by some of his best-known paintings and reproductions of the letters themselves, Teresa and Karen illuminate the artist’s world like never before. Chaired by Julia Wheeler. EVENT TIME

4.30–5.30pm

LA09

EVENT CODE

5–6pm

LM10

Death by Noir The Nook on Five £35 Ticket includes a cheese

plate and wine tasting. Doors open 5pm.

The Hive £14 In conversation with Caroline Sanderson, writers Natasha Carthew, Anjana Khatwa and Nicola Wilding ask what does it mean to belong to a landscape and who gets to speak for it? Together, they discuss class and identity across coastlines, crumbling rural economies and ancient geological histories, asking urgent questions about who is included in narratives of land and environment and who is left out. 4.30–5.30pm

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

Common Ground

EVENT TIME

Distinguished art historian and one of the 20th century’s most distinctive literary voices, Anita Brookner captivated readers with her elegant, uncompromising fiction. Biographer Hermione Lee reveals an idiosyncratic and deeply complex woman, revisiting the novels that earned Brookner a devoted readership and exploring their insightful treatment of solitude, longing, selfknowledge and desire.

EVENT CODE

LN05

Wine expert Olly Smith uncorks his debut crime novel, a twisty whodunnit set among the vineyards of Sussex. In conversation with his brother, Will Smith – the award-winning writer and producer behind The Thick of It and Slow Horses – Olly reveals how a lifetime in wine inspired his fiction, before leading a specially selected wine tasting. Raise a glass to an evening of murder, mystery and merriment. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

5.30–7pm

LDF02

Wine kindly provided by Corney & Barrow

on talent development

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

6–7pm

LC36

Rethinking Wilderness Garden Theatre £16 What do we really mean when we call a place wild? And has such a place ever truly existed? Cal Flyn, acclaimed author of Islands of Abandonment, and historical archaeologist Eloise Kane challenge our deepest assumptions about nature. From deserts and mountains to fields much closer to home they reveal how even our most cherished “natural” environments are shaped by human hands. Chaired by Julia Wheeler. EVENT TIME

6.30–7.30pm

Sebastian Faulks The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16

6.30–7.30pm

LN04

Translation Duel Pillar Room, Town Hall £16

The author of acclaimed books including Birdsong and Human Traces talks about Farewell to Eden, a spectacular portrait of post-war Britain. A soldier, haunted by his experiences, rebuilds his life as a teacher. A new connection offers hope, but the scars of war threaten to resurface. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

Award-winning translators Anam Zafar and Roland Glasser sharpen their swords for a duel of words. Moderated by Ros Schwartz, they compare their differing translations of a French text. No prior knowledge of French is required. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

7–8.30pm

LR31

Spotlight is our year-round talent development programme offering a wide range of opportunities for all ages to engage with literature, providing an invaluable platform for new talent and supporting writers and performers throughout their career.

New Voices Look out for our New Voices series highlighting the hottest emerging writers throughout the programme.

Proof Parties Introducing upcoming novelists before they’re even published, with Cheltenham audiences being among the first to take away their novels in proof form.

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

The former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt talks to financial reporter Joe Mayes and sets out an optimistic case for Britain’s economy. Despite stagnant living standards and divided politics, Britain still has a lot going for it and the solutions to our economic malaise are in plain sight if we are willing to learn from what works elsewhere.

TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER

Spotlight

Jeremy Hunt: Can We Be Rich Again?

Look out for the New Voices icon throughout the programme. Help us support emerging artists by buying a ticket, making purchases on site or becoming a member or a Patron.

LR64

TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER

War in Words and Pictures Image: Ray Burmiston

The Story of a Season The Hive £16

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

As the leaves turn and the air sharpens, reconnect with autumn’s unique celebrations, wildlife and folklore. Novelist and nature writer Kate Mosse joins Lia Leendertz, author of the yearly almanac and host of Ffern’s As The Season Turns podcast, as they explore nature’s enchanting rhythms and the quiet joys making this season so magical. Chaired by Daze Aghaji. EVENT TIME

6.30–7.30pm

EVENT CODE

LN02

STORYTELLING

Fairy Tale Ceilidh Story Shack £16 Bringing together her love of ceilidh calling with her love of stories, Hannah Moore interweaves the wild imagination of the Grimms’ fairy tales with magical ceilidh dances. Dance your way through the story, becoming the characters, happenings and magic of the tale, accompanied by the entrancing music of acclaimed folk musicians. EVENT TIME

6.30–7.45pm

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17

With thanks to our event supporters

EVENT CODE

LP16

Image: Anna Butcher

Knackered Mums’ Night Out Dunkertons Taproom £23 Ticket includes a drink. Parenthood: our biggest adventure, the steepest learning curve and occasionally the reason you hide in the cupboard for a moment’s peace. Join Rosie Kelly Smith, Lisa Owens and Lou Beckett, hosted by Shirley Halse, for a funny, frank and reassuring conversation about the chaos of family life. From advice you’re welcome to ignore and expectations you can ditch, they explore the highs, lows and laugh-out-loud moments of modern parenting. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

8–9.30pm

LDF13

Working in conflict zones demands exceptional resilience and trust. Foreign Correspondent of the Year Anthony Loyd and Photographer of the Year Jack Hill, both of The Times, join the columnist 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. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

8.15–9.15pm

LC23

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio

Donating £20 could help place authors in local schools to inspire children and improve literacy rates

Luke Wright Garden Theatre £16

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

8.30–9.30pm

LP02

Once Upon A Time The Hive £16 A lost slipper. A dark forest. A test of courage. For centuries, fairy tales have helped us make sense of the world, offering stories of resilience and hope in uncertain times. Sharon Blackie and Hannah Moore explore the enduring appeal of these ancient narratives across generations and cultures, from Cinderella and her many incarnations to the folklore and myths that continue to shape our imaginations. EVENT TIME

8.30–9.30pm

Our Partnership offerings are crafted to elevate your brand in ways that are completely tailored to meet your goals and ambitions. You will be aligning with our vision for a world where everyone can explore and create culture whilst getting to shape an unforgettable brand narrative and connect with a vibrant community.

Weight Loss Jabs: What’s Next? The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16

STORYTELLING

Unleash the Power of Corporate Partnership

Weight-loss medications have changed the conversation around food and health, but what happens next? Doctors Paul Barrington Chell, Monique Hope-Ross and Federica Amati explore the science behind weight loss and the complex biology shaping how we eat. From appetite and metabolism to life after medication, they separate fact from fiction and ask what long-term health really looks like. They explore practical, sustainable steps towards a healthier life. EVENT TIME

8.30–9.30pm

EVENT CODE

LX04

✓ Bespoke brand awareness ✓ E xclusive networking opportunities

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Poet and performer Luke Wright brings his trademark blend of wit, warmth and razor-sharp storytelling to a deeply personal exploration of family, identity and adoption. Through poetry, stand-up and unforgettable stories, he reflects on growing up adopted, searching for his birth mother and the questions that shape who we become.

Elevate Your Brand

TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER

Don’t miss out Get early access to your Festival favourites. Become a member and receive priority booking. See p. 38 for more details.

✓ VIP experiences ✓ Align with world-class authors and talent ✓ Achieve collective goals for diversity and inclusion, sustainability, and accessibility Email partnerships@ cheltenhamfestivals.org to speak to a member of the Development Team.

EVENT CODE

LD13

WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER

Wednesday 14 October

Breakfast with The Times: Behind the Headlines

Rereading Sylvia Plath: The Bell Jar Pillar Room, Town Hall £14

The Nook on Five £35 Ticket includes a light breakfast. Doors open 8am.

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Join us at The Nook on Five and make an informed start to your day with a light breakfast and some of the sharpest minds in journalism. The Times Chief Political Commentator Patrick Maguire, UK politics reporter at Bloomberg News Joe Mayes and The Times columnist Alice Thomson guide you through the stories making today’s headlines. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

8.30–10am

LC06

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio and kindly supported by BPE solicitors LLP

More than 60 years after its publication, why does The Bell Jar continue to speak to new generations of readers? Sylvia Plath’s only novel remains a defining work of modern literature: a portrait of ambition, identity and the pressures placed on women. Join author Helen Bain, and art historian and curator Rebecca Birrell as they explore its enduring influence, complex legacy and the questions it raises about freedom and finding your place in the world. EVENT TIME

LP10

Rachel de Thample: The Fermentation Year

Your Festival, Your Way Pick from our outstanding selection of ticketed events, then explore all the Festival village has to offer, from food and drink to free activities and family fun.

Discover the magic of fermentation with awardwinning chef Rachel de Thample. Drawing on over 20 years of experience in sustainability and seasonal cooking, Rachel reveals how simple techniques can transform everyday ingredients and unlock incredible new flavours. Discover the art of preserving, from krauts and pickles to simple seasonal ferments you can make at home. 11am–12pm

With thanks to our event supporters

Jeffrey Boakye Author and Broadcaster National Year of Reading

Image: Steve Ullathorne

PMQs Unpacked The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £17, £14 This event is being broadcast. Arrive by 11.45am to be seated.

Dunkertons Taproom £14

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

10.30–11.30am

It’s not about words on the page, it’s about stories, narratives, lives and experiences.

EVENT CODE

LDF10

It is one of the most distinctive features of our parliamentary process, but have you ever wondered what on earth is going on at Prime Minister’s Questions? This week’s session is the first as the House returns with a new prime minister in Andy Burnham. Join Times Radio presenter Hugo Rifkind and Westminster insiders Patrick Maguire and Ayesha Hazarika as they pause the action live from the House of Commons to explain it all. EVENT TIME

11.55am–1pm

EVENT CODE

LC22

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio

Pillar Room, Town Hall £14

The Hive £14

Siblings are everywhere in the stories we love, driving the drama in ways we often overlook. From rivalry and loyalty to resentment and intimacy, family relationships shape who gets seen and who gets pushed to the edge. From the tangled families of Shakespeare and Austen to the warm, messy domestic worlds of Ann Patchett and Elizabeth Strout. Presenter and producer Catherine Carr, and author Liv Little explore why sibling relationships make such powerful stories.

From show-stopping gowns to career-defining style moments, the red carpet is the ultimate stage for fashion, fame and self-expression. Join fashion writer and commentator Camilla Morton and designer Julien MacDonald as they explore the looks that stopped the world, the designers who created them and the stories behind the images we still talk about.

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

2–3pm

LL11

EVENT CODE

12.30–1.30pm

LD02

Bringing Up Britain

Raised in rural Suffolk, John Constable’s life and work were unusually shaped by the natural world. Two hundred and fifty years since his 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. 2–3pm

What does it mean to grow up in Britain today? Psychotherapist Philippa Perry, screenwriter and author Frank Cottrell-Boyce and clinical psychologist Martha Deiros Collado explore the realities of modern childhood and young adulthood. From education and mental health to work, identity and social media, what are the opportunities and pressures facing young people now and how different is it from the world their parents knew? Chaired by Julia Wheeler. 1-2pm

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £17, £14

EVENT TIME

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £18, £15

EVENT TIME

Constable’s Year

EVENT CODE

Pillar Room, Town Hall £14

Garden Theatre £14 Social historian Juliet Nicolson joins Poorna Bell to explore the secrets women keep: those they are forced into, carry through shame, or choose to share. Spanning decades from the ‘silent generation’ of the 1950s to today’s influencers, they consider what the things left unsaid reveal about our changing times. 2–3pm

LN06

Last Night I Dreamt

The Book of Revelations

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Red Carpet Legends

WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER

Who’s The Favourite?

What was Daphne du Maurier like not as a literary legend, but a grandmother? Her grandson Paul de Zulueta offers a rare portrait, drawing on family archives and his own personal memories. In conversation with du Maurier expert Laura Varnam, they explore her life, creativity and enduring legacy. EVENT TIME

2.30–3.30pm

EVENT CODE

LD05

EVENT CODE

LH22

LC29

WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER

Philippa Perry and Richard Coles Garden Theatre £14

Mary Berry The Times and Sunday Times Forum £18, £15

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Mary Berry reveals her second great love: gardening. She joins comedian and former Great British Bake Off host Mel Giedroyc for a warm conversation about her lifelong passion, sharing seasonal wisdom, practical guidance and beautiful photographs from her own plot alongside stories from a life spent between the kitchen and the garden. EVENT TIME

3.30–4.30pm

EVENT CODE

W&N Proof Party Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £36 Ticket includes a glass of fizz or soft drink and a goody bag of limited edition proofs.

EVENT TIME

4–5pm

EVENT TIME

4.30–5.30pm

EVENT CODE

LR42

LL01

Kindly supported by Rathbones

W&N introduces three sensational debuts: a pioneering anti-ageing drug reverses the biological clock in Marianne Levy’s The Fix; a fatal accident binds two people together in Bethia Hale’s Any Day Now; Jo Beaden’s A History of Human Sacrifice encapsulates the highs and lows of adolescence against a backdrop of the Vengaboys. Perfect for fans of Miranda July or Rachel Joyce. Chaired by Sarah Shaffi.

Inspired by their professions, Philippa Perry and Richard Coles discuss their cosy crime capers with Tim Hubbard. In Shrink Solves Murder a psychotherapist investigates the apparent suicide of her patient to discover a killer hiding in plain sight. A Carol and a Killing is the next book in his bestselling Canon Clement series. During a town’s festive preparations, a choir soloist falls to his death… or was he pushed?

EVENT CODE

LR50

The Medieval Art of Living Well The Hive £14 Historians Peter Jones and Katherine Harvey join Amy Jeffs to unpack the surprising wisdom of the medieval world. From the moral lessons of the seven deadly sins to holistic ideas about diet, exercise and emotional balance, they reveal a culture that understood wellbeing as a lifelong practice – and whose ideas continue to resonate in our search for healthier, more grounded lives. EVENT TIME

4.30–5.30pm

Browse the Shelves Visit the on-site Waterstones Bookshop to buy books and meet your favourite authors. A percentage of every purchase made on site is donated to our charitable work.

EVENT CODE

LH08

1937: Degenerate Art The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £17, £14 The Nazi exhibition of ‘Degenerate Art’ was meant to show all that had gone wrong with Germany. Instead, it unintentionally created one of Modern European art’s greatest retrospectives. Art historian John-Paul Stonard uncovers the story behind this extraordinary exhibition, exploring masterpieces of Dada, German Expressionism and Bauhaus and the artworks later lost, destroyed or scattered by war. EVENT TIME

4.30–5.30pm With thanks to our event supporters

EVENT CODE

LA06

Pillar Room, Town Hall £14

Garden Theatre £16

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. He discusses how to break habits in order to live a calmer and happier life.

Champagne socialist, national treasure, loony leftie, radical reformer, traitor, battleaxe; Margaret Hodge has been called many things over the course of a remarkable political career. In conversation with The Times Executive Editor Jeremy Griffin, she reflects on the victories and mistakes that shaped her and shares her enduring belief that politics can be a force for justice, change and a better world.

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

5–6pm

LQ09

Secrets of a Beauty Editor The Nook on Five £35 Ticket includes a wellness cocktail and canapes. Doors open 5pm.

Join Sunday Times Beauty Director-at-Large Sarah Jossel for an insider’s guide to the beauty secrets that really work. She’ll cut through the marketing fluff to share the products worth the hype, the mistakes to avoid and expert advice from years at the heart of the beauty industry. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

5.30–7pm

LDF01

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio

Joe Marler vs The World The Times and Sunday Times Forum £42, £39 Ticket includes a signed copy of Joe Marler vs The World, RRP £22.

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 misadventures along the way. Chaired by broadcaster Max Whittle. EVENT TIME

6–7pm

EVENT CODE

LU09

Kindly supported by FEWS Event Management

Make a Day of It Visit the on-site Feast Cafe for a selection of treats from our street vendors. Time it right and you could catch free talks, music or poetry at The Huddle stage.

EVENT TIME

LC12

Life On Your Own Terms The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16 Fearne Cotton and Poorna Bell join 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. Talking to comedian Cariad Lloyd, they explore how to find the confidence to define your own success and create a life that reflects who you are. EVENT TIME

6.30–7.30pm

With thanks to our event supporters

EVENT CODE

6.30–7.30pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Margaret Hodge: Battleaxe

WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER

Addicted to Anxiety

EVENT CODE

LL05

WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

READ. DISCOVER. CONNECT. As proud supporters of Cheltenham Literature Festival, Dunkertons welcomes curious minds for a week of conversation, creativity and connection. Enjoy inspiring speakers, workshops and events, alongside great food, awardwinning cider, artisan shopping and the relaxed atmosphere of Dunkertons Park. FIND OUR FULL SCHEDULE ON OUR WEBSITE: WWW.DUNKERTONSCIDER.CO.UK DUNKERTONS CIDER, DOWDESWELL PARK, LONDON ROAD, GL52 6UT 50

Modern Love

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £36 Ticket includes a glass of fizz or soft drink and a goody bag of limited edition proofs.

EVENT CODE

6.30–7.30pm

LR48

King Arthur: A Retelling The Hive £16 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. Weaving together music and storytelling, they evoke the emotional force of these tales of landscape, enchantment, love, ambition and betrayal. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

6.30–8pm

LH06

Pillar Room, Town Hall £16 Bobby Palmer and Annie Lord capture the mess, magic and misunderstandings of modern relationships in their brilliant novels, reminding us that the path to happiness is rarely straightforward. Clara and Seb’s love story is told by everyone but themselves in Main Characters. In The Project, a one-night stand inspires a dating makeover scheme, with unexpected consequences. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

7–8pm

LR72

Pick Your Bottles Dunkertons Taproom £35 Ticket includes a flight of wines.

If you’ve suspected there are extraordinary wines out there but can’t quite find them… you’re right. There are. Join Dan Keeling, co-founder of the cult-favourite magazine Noble Rot, as he explores the stories, people and places behind some of the most exciting bottles being made today. From his unexpected favourites to hidden gems; whether you’re a devoted wine lover or simply enjoy a great glass, this is an invitation to look beyond the familiar and discover a more adventurous world of wine. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

8–9.30pm

LDF11

Mel Giedroyc The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16 Spend an hour in the delightful company of broadcaster, actor and comedian Mel Giedroyc as she shares stories from her career, from unforgettable television moments to life behind the scenes, alongside her joyful new novel, The Comeback. Expect warmth, wit, infectious enthusiasm and plenty of laughs from one of Britain’s favourite entertainers, chaired by Hannah MacInnes. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

8.30–9.30pm

Find out what our friends at The Gardens Gallery have on during the Festival.

LE58

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Mantle introduces two exciting debuts: Idrissa Simmonds-Nastili’s Backstitch trails three generations of women across 1920s Haiti, 1930s Harlem, and 1990s Brooklyn; Frankie Zwick’s American epic, One Trick Pony, follows neighbouring Wyoming ranch families whose lives and rivalries, are shaped by the brutal land. These stories are perfect for fans of Min Jin Lee or Barbara Kingsolver. Chaired by Daniel Hahn. EVENT TIME

WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER

Mantle Proof Party

WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER

STORYTELLING

Horses and Apples: Tales from the Trojan War Story Shack £16

Austentatious The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

The award-winning West End smash-hit comedy Austentatious comes to you on a strictly limited tour. The all-star cast improvises a hilarious new Jane Austen novel from a title suggested by the audience. Performed in period costume with live music, it’s riotous and razorsharp. The revolving cast features acclaimed performers including Cariad Lloyd (QI, Inside No.9, Griefcast, The Witchfinder), Joseph Morpurgo (Radio 4, Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee), Rachel Parris (The Mash Report, Live at the Apollo), Graham Dickson (After Life, The Witchfinder) and more. EVENT TIME

8.30–9.30pm

EVENT CODE

LE24

Unstoppable Women in Sport Garden Theatre £16 Record-breaking ultrarunner Sophie Power went viral thanks to a photograph of her breastfeeding her then threemonth-old son during a 106mile race. Ellie Kildunne is the standout star of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup and lynchpin of the Red Roses. Whether overcoming injury or proving themselves in arenas not built for women, they reflect on what’s needed to succeed at the highest level in a powerful celebration of women in sport. Chaired by sports journalist and presenter Karthi Gnanasegaram. EVENT TIME

8.30–9.30pm

EVENT CODE

LU07

What if the greatest story ever told began with a single golden apple? Step into the world of Greek gods and goddesses, princes and queens as storyteller Hannah Moore brings the myths that set the Trojan War in motion to life, weaving together tales of love, power and revenge in an unforgettable live performance. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

8.30–9.30pm

LP17

The Big Book Quiz The Hive £16 Tables seat teams of up to four.

With questions on anything from Dan Brown to Graham Greene, Normal People to Animal Farm, Gangsta Granny to Uncle Vanya, come and pit your literary wits against each other in a fun night of bookish brainteasers, suitable for light and heavy readers alike. Hosted by James Walton of BBC Radio 4’s The Write Stuff, this is a quiz created exclusively for Cheltenham book-lovers. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

9–10.30pm

LP12

We can’t wait to welcome over 12,000 pupils to the Festival Village for inspirational explorations of the written and spoken word. This year’s writers, illustrators and industry professionals include Katherine Rundell, Michael Rosen, Dean Atta and Nick Sharratt.

For more information or to book for your school, visit: cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature-for-schools

Breakfast with The Times: Behind the Headlines The Nook on Five £35 Ticket includes a light breakfast. Doors open 8am.

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

8.30–10am

LC07

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio and kindly supported by BPE Solicitors LLP

Coffee and the Art of Living

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £17, £14

Dunkertons Taproom £20 Ticket includes a coffee and pastry.

British Museum curator Lloyd de Beer joins Amy Jeffs to unravel the fascinating story of one of our greatest artistic and historical treasures. Political intrigue and treachery, heroism and brutality, victory and defeat; all are woven into the Bayeux Tapestry. Almost 1,000 years after its creation, they explore the events surrounding the Norman Conquest, the deeds of kings and details of everyday life in medieval Europe as traced through this 70-metre masterpiece. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

10–11am

LA04

Helen Garner: Writing a Life Pillar Room, Town Hall £14

Your Festival, Your Way Pick from our outstanding selection of ticketed events, then explore all the Festival village has to offer, from food and drink to free activities and family fun.

For more than 50 years, Helen Garner* has shaped Australian literature with her fearless writing. Her Baillie Gifford Prize-winning diaries have been described as the greatest journals since Virginia Woolf’s. Speaking from Australia, she reflects on the discipline and instinct behind decades of observation and the challenge of capturing the “quietly remarkable texture of ordinary life”. A rare chance to hear one of our great writers, in conversation with Clare Clark. EVENT TIME

10.30–11.30am

EVENT CODE

LM05

More than just a morning ritual, coffee shapes the way we work, connect and experience the world around us. Philosopher Julian Baggini and senses scientist Barry Smith explore the deeper meaning behind one of the world’s most beloved drinks and ask whether it might offer us a different way of thinking about time, attention and the art of living well. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

11am–12pm

LDF08

Boomtime for Billionaires? The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £17, £14 In Billionaire Backlash, Pepper Culpepper and Taeku Lee argue that corporate scandals can do more than dominate the news, they create rare opportunities for political change. In It’s On You, Nick Chater challenges the “nudge” theory, that society can guide individuals towards better decisions, arguing that it has let corporations and governments shift blame onto individuals while avoiding proper reform. Where does power really lie? In conversation with Manveen Rana. EVENT TIME

12–1pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Join us at The Nook on Five and make an informed start to your day with a light breakfast and some of the sharpest minds in journalism. The Times Executive Editor Jeremy Griffin, columnist James Marriott and Times Radio presenter Manveen Rana guide you through the stories making today’s headlines.

The Bayeux Tapestry

THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER

Thursday 15 October

EVENT CODE

LC39

Participant appearing digitally

With thanks to our event supporters

THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER

AI and Us The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £17, £14

Storytelling in Medieval Art Pillar Room, Town Hall £14

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

A crack team of medievalists turn their attention to the Bayeux Tapestry. Anya Burgon, Emily Guerry and Amy Jeffs shed light on its imaginative context, exploring its connections to other monumental artworks. More than an historical document, the Tapestry is a remarkable work of art that reveals the subtlety and reach of the cultures that created it. EVENT TIME

12.30–1.30pm

EVENT CODE

LH07

Growing Old Disgracefully The Times and Sunday Times Forum £18, £15 Does the thought of growing old fill you with fear? Gyles Brandreth, whose new book is called The 7 Secrets of the 100 Year Life, leads the charge. Joined by Kathy Lette and Prue Leith, they are here to reassure you that everything will be okay. Join them in growing old disgracefully and discover the fun (and naughtiness) to be had along the way. Expect wit, wisdom and a healthy disregard for acting your age. Chaired by Tim Hubbard. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

1–2pm

Donating £15 could fund a Festival ticket for someone experiencing barriers to culture

LE50

As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes how we work, think and connect, the question is no longer about what AI can do, but what it is doing to us. Author and journalist Jamie Bartlett, AI ethicist Eleanor Drage and AI researcher Virginia Dignum explore the hopes, paradoxes and possibilities of living alongside intelligent machines. From creativity and connection to ethics and power, they ask what it means to be human in the age of AI. EVENT TIME

2–3pm

EVENT CODE

LC38

Unspoken Histories The Hive £14 Two extraordinary novels, two buried histories. In Laleh Khadivi’s Female Life on Planet Earth, a daughter discovers photographs of her mother’s hidden past in Iran. Moving from South Korea to London, Ela Lee follows three generations of women whose lives are shaped by dictatorship and secrecy in Minbak. In conversation with Sarah Shaffi, they discuss mothers and daughters, political upheaval and the cost of uncovering the truth. EVENT TIME

2–3pm

EVENT CODE

LR17

Garden Theatre £14

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

2–3pm

LX07

Katherine Rundell: Miraculous Creatures Pillar Room, Town Hall £14 The creatures that share our world are stranger, smarter and more miraculous than you might imagine. With curiosity and a sense of wonder, one of our most original literary voices, Katherine Rundell, presents spellbinding portraits of the animal kingdom’s greatest marvels – a follow-up to her bestselling The Golden Mole. Chaired by Daniel Hahn. EVENT TIME

2.30–3.30pm

With thanks to our event supporters

EVENT CODE

LN08

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £36 Ticket includes a glass of fizz or soft drink and a goody bag of limited edition proofs.

Jane Garvey and Fi Glover with Anneka Rice The Times and Sunday Times Forum £18, £15 This event is being broadcast. Arrive by 3.15pm to be seated.

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, coordinating ambitious community projects and leaping from helicopters in her trademark jumpsuits, Anneka will be revealing how childhood loneliness, family responsibility and a lifechanging journey to Hong Kong forged the resilience, optimism and determination that defined her. EVENT TIME

3.25–4.30pm

EVENT CODE

LE11

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio. Kindly supported by Oldham Foundation

Bantam presents two striking debuts: in Georgia Pactat’s Almost, two men struggle to be seen as who they really are in this tale of unrequited love. In Lauren Mwale’s Low-Key Losing It, a young woman tries to go ‘boy sober’ after taking attempts to meet a man to the extreme. For fans of Gabrielle Zevin or Candice Carty-Williams. Chaired by Sarah Shaffi. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

4–5pm

LR51

Fairy Tales for the Fearless Story Shack £14 What can ancient stories reveal about today’s challenges? Step into the rich world of wondertales, stories of darkness, hope and transformation. Storyteller Hannah Moore brings a fairy tale to life before guiding audiences through creative exercises and discussion, uncovering hidden meanings within the story and what they reveal about ourselves. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

4–5.30pm

LP18

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

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. Will Harlow, Elizabeth Davies and Liz Earle explore the science and reality of ageing well, challenging outdated ideas about getting older and ask how we can stay stronger, healthier and more capable at every stage of life. Chaired by Julia Wheeler.

THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER

Bantam Proof Party

How to Age Well

THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER

Marilyn Monroe: Myth and Reality

Antony Beevor: Rasputin

Scotland’s Island Whiskies

Garden Theatre £14

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £17, £14

The Nook on Five £40 Ticket includes a charcuterie

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Norma Jean Mortensen was born 100 years ago – enduring as a Hollywood icon, despite her tragically short and difficult life. We welcome Rosie Broadley, curator of the Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait exhibition, Andrew Wilson, whose biography I Wanna Be Loved By You provides fresh perspectives on this complicated woman and Gail Crowther who delves into Marilyn’s life as an avid reader in Marilyn and Her Books. Join them as they discuss this misunderstood figure with Tim Hubbard. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

4.30–5.30pm

LE51

From Page to Feed: The Rise and Fall of Reading The Hive £14 When did people start reading for pleasure — and what happens if we stop? Cultural commentators Philip Hensher and James Marriott join the novelist Clare Clark to discuss their new writing. A History of the Novel in Britain traces the growth in popularity of the novel, from Daniel Defoe to Zadie Smith. The New Dark Ages argues that the printed book and the habits of deep attention it fostered are being eroded by screens. EVENT TIME

4.30–5.30pm

EVENT CODE

LD11

How could a barely literate peasant from Siberia help shape the fate of an empire? Antony Beevor reveals how an improbable man undermined the Romanov dynasty and helped pave the way for revolution. Was there any truth to the wild tales that brought down the regime? Or was his legacy the potency of myth? EVENT TIME

4.30–5.30pm

EVENT CODE

LH04

board and whisky tasting. Doors open 5pm.

Island whiskies hold a powerful emotional draw; their unique combination of heritage, mystique and remote location captures the imagination. Join Ian Buxton on a personal journey across Scotland’s islands, accompanied by a tasting – a special treat for all who love the distinctive flavours of these magical island drams. He talks to Nick Purchase. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

5.30–7pm

LDF04

Dean Atta and Kiran Millwood Hargrave: Lives in Love Pillar Room, Town Hall £14 Dean Atta and Kiran Millwood Hargrave explore the intimate intersections of identity, love, memory and the lives we carry with us across time. Big Man offers a tender, hard-won portrait of queer Black British life in East London, while Almost Life traces a decades-spanning love story between two women shaped by desire, distance and choice. In conversation with Coco Khan, they introduce their new novels and reflect on belonging, intimacy and love in its many forms. EVENT TIME

5–6pm

EVENT CODE

LR52

Craig Revel Horwood The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17 For two decades, Craig Revel Horwood has delighted audiences in pantomime – though he wasn’t always a believer. In The Book of Panto, the Strictly judge talks to Julia Wheeler about the rich history of Britain’s favourite festive tradition, from ancient roots to modern phenomenon, revealing why panto endures. Oh no it doesn’t. Oh yes it does! EVENT TIME

6–7pm

EVENT CODE

LE19

Adapting Austen Garden Theatre £16

The Hive £16 Step into a world of fox fires, mountain spirits and ghostly winter nights. Poet Erica Hesketh and storyteller Laura Sampson bring ancient Japanese folklore to life through storytelling, poetry, song and noh-inspired performance. Journey from snowbound northern landscapes to the first plum blossom of spring for an unforgettable evening of myth, magic and storytelling. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

6.30–7.30pm

LP11

Jane Austen’s stories have captivated audiences for 250 years, but what does it take to bring them to life? Join novelist and dramatist Rachel Joyce, BBC radio producer Tracey Neale and acclaimed actor Juliet Stevenson as they lift the lid on the creative process. Discover how timeless novels become compelling audio drama, including the acclaimed BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and how Austen’s unforgettable characters find new voice through performance. EVENT TIME

Patrick Ness on Return to Chaos Walking

6.30–7.30pm

EVENT CODE

LD09

Kindly supported by BBC Audiobooks

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £12

6.30–7.30pm

With thanks to our event supporters

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16 This event is being recorded.

Join comedians and authors Sara Pascoe and Cariad Lloyd, alongside a special guest, where the lonely outsider can feel accepted and appreciated. Together, they’ll discuss books that are special, stimulating and – y’know – weird. Expect funny, thoughtful conversation, brilliant recommendations and a celebration of the stories that make us feel seen. Welcome to your new book club! EVENT TIME

Something is coming. Patrick Ness, returns to the Chaos Walking universe which is still far from a utopia. A burning god tears from the forest, something appears in the sky and the Noise is back. What drew him to New World after 20 years? How did he find revisiting the series to write a screenplay, and a trilogy for a new generation? With audience Q&A, this is a must for longtime fans and new readers alike. Hosted by Daniel Hahn. EVENT TIME

Cariad Lloyd and Sara Pascoe: Weirdos Book Club

EVENT CODE

LF50

THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER

Storytelling from Japan

EVENT CODE

6.30–7.30pm

LP15

ON THE RISE COLLECTIVE

Cheltenham Festivals’ community for emerging creatives aged 18 - 30 Members collaborate with the Festivals to curate and produce events and activities across our programmes each year. Discover their Literature Festival event LQ10 on p. 58 Find out more or get involved Visit cheltenhamfestivals.org/OTRC

THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER

New Voices Spotlight Pillar Room, Town Hall £16

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Celebrate some of this year’s hottest debut fiction. Eden McKenzie-Goddard’s Smallie is an exhilarating and expansive tale of a family thrown into collision with the Windrush scandal, while Divya Maniar’s After Care is a piercing exploration of consumerism, the attention economy and the addictive nature of online fame. Rebecca Perry’s May We Feed the King is an original portrait of a curator of a royal palace drawn into the life of its onetime occupant and Monika Radojevic’s Strangerland is a soaring, emotionally rich story about the power of love to transcend languages, borders and time. They talk to Coco Khan about their new writing. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

7–8.15pm

LR46

Up All Night: A Nightlife Cabaret Dunkertons Taproom £23 Ticket includes a drink. 18+ Party historian Imogen Willetts journeys through history’s greatest after-dark moments, from 17th century Japan to the bright lights of Las Vegas, via the birth of jazz, techno and everything in between. With a cast of brilliant cabaret acts, this is a celebration of all that has kept us up long into the night. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

8–9.30pm

LDF14

Barbara A Century of Kingsolver: The Champion Sunday Times Hurdle Heroes Award for Literary Garden Theatre £16 Excellence For almost a century, the The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16

Celebrate with Barbara Kingsolver* as she receives The Sunday Times Award for Literary Excellence. She discusses her new novel, Partita, a profound tale of ambition, music and love from one of our greatest living storytellers. Chaired by The Sunday Times Chief Literary Critic Johanna Thomas-Corr. EVENT TIME

8.30–9.30pm

With thanks to our event supporters

LR18

Participant appearing digitally In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio

EVENT TIME

8.30–9.30pm

EVENT CODE

LU10

STORYTELLING

Punk at 50 The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17 Chaired by author and lifelong music fan John Robb, plunges headfirst into the glorious chaos of punk with three brilliant guides: Kevin Dettmar, author of Punk in 50 Pieces, blasting through the era’s cultural earthquake one song at a time; 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 and never quite fitting in. EVENT TIME

8.15–9.15pm

EVENT CODE

Champion Hurdle has produced moments of sporting drama at the Cheltenham Festival. To mark its centenary, celebrated jockey and three-time Champion Hurdle winner Anthony McCoy, ninetime winning trainer Nicky Henderson, three-time winning owner Rich Ricci and racing historian Chris Pitt join sports broadcaster Rishi Persad to celebrate everything that has defined National Hunt racing’s most prestigious hurdle race.

EVENT CODE

LE49

Fairy Fables for Curious Minds The Hive £5 Rediscover the power of playful storytelling with theatre-maker Hannah Moore as she guides you through fairy tales inviting reflection and imagination. Then unwind with a relaxed creative arts session. You don’t need to be an artist; this is about giving yourself time to be curious and relax. All materials provided. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

8.30–10pm

LQ10

Programmed by Cheltenham Festivals’ On the Rise Collective. Find out more on p. 57

If This Be Magic Pillar Room, Town Hall £14

EVENT TIME

10.30–11.30am

EVENT CODE

LD06

You can see people light up when they talk about the books that matter to them. Cheltenham Festivals staff National Year of Reading

License to Thrill The Times and Sunday Times Forum £18, £15 Enter the shadowy world of international espionage with edge-of-your-seat thrillers from Charles Cumming, Frank Gardner and Charlie Higson. Hear from masters of their craft with their fingers firmly on the pulse of 21st century geopolitics as they explore the real‑world forces shaping modern spy craft from the Arctic Circle to the Saudi desert and beyond. Chaired by fellow thriller writer Ava Glass. EVENT TIME

10.30–11.30am

Never Say War: Life Inside Russia The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £17, £14 How do you report on a nation at war when dissent is silenced? In Never Say War, journalist and author Åsne Seierstad draws on the testimony of Wagner Group defector Andrey Medvedev and her own time living in the country to craft an intimate portrait of Putin’s Russia. She takes us behind closed doors and lays bare the lives of individuals to report on the violence, injustice and contradiction of a society shaped by conflict. Chaired by Julia Wheeler. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

12–1pm

Plan Your Visit Download the Festival App – your one stop shop for all things Cheltenham Literature Festival.

LC17

Scene of the Crime Pillar Room, Town Hall £14 How does place shape crime fiction? From 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, setting is far more than scenery. They explore how landscape, culture, history and climate influence the crimes they imagine and the characters they create. In conversation with Tim Hubbard. EVENT TIME

12.30–1.30pm

EVENT CODE

LR33

Mark Billingham Garden Theatre £14

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

What does it really mean to translate Shakespeare? Clare Clark talks to translator and lifelong Shakespeare enthusiast Daniel Hahn about the complex and sometimes near impossible business of carrying the Bard into other languages. Why might Hamlet become even longer in Italian? How does Romeo and Juliet begin in Thai?

FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER

Friday 16 October

Best known for blending dark crime with sharp wit, Mark Billingham joins Julia Wheeler to reflect on a career that has taken him from stand-up comedy to bestselling fiction. He shares insights into his writing life, the pleasures of wrongfooting readers and playing Glastonbury with his band, The Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers. EVENT TIME

2–3pm

EVENT CODE

LR34

EVENT CODE

LR71

FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER

Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe The Hive £14

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Acclaimed historian Katja Hoyer tells the story of life under Hitler through the eyes of the people of Weimar. This ancient town, home to Europe’s greatest thinkers and birthplace of the Weimar Republic, saw democracy give way to dictatorship as its citizens became witnesses, perpetrators, victims and bystanders in history’s unfolding tragedy. Chaired by Clare Clark. EVENT TIME

2–3pm

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £17, £14 What makes a perfect English garden? Drifts of colourful perennials, exuberant selfseeders and everything on the brink of chaos... Artist and designer Matthew Rice joins garden writer Clare Foggett to explore the art of balancing composition and structure with spontaneity and abundance. Join them for thoughtful advice and find inspiration in beautiful examples of colourful, expressive spaces that evolve throughout the year. Chaired by Tim Hubbard. 2–3pm With thanks to our event supporters

Pillar Room, Town Hall £14 In seeking to fix Britain’s challenges, should we look close to home or further afield? At a moment when many democracies appear stuck and divided, journalist and author John Kampfner takes an inspiring journey across 10 countries finding bold, practical solutions to some of the greatest challenges of our age, from education and healthcare to social care and renewable energy. Chaired by Robin Niblett. EVENT TIME

2.30–3.30pm

EVENT CODE

LC16

LH20

The Art of the English Garden

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

Braver New World

EVENT CODE

LL07

Election Generals The Times and Sunday Times Forum £18, £15 A Festival favourite returns! With Keir Starmer’s resignation and our seventh Prime Minister in 10 years installed in Downing Street, it has been yet another tumultuous year in British politics. Join our trusted Election Generals: BBC Newsnight presenter Paddy O’Connell, former cabinet minister Nicky Morgan and the former BBC Political Editor John Sergeant as they take to the stage to consider the year in politics and debate the twists and turns ahead. EVENT TIME

3.30–4.30pm Kindly supported by Oldham Foundation

EVENT CODE

LC02

Chris Brookmyre: Quite Ugly One Evening Victoria’s Restaurant, Queens Hotel £45 Ticket includes afternoon tea with a glass of fizz or soft drink.

Join bestselling author Chris Brookmyre for a special event celebrating Quite Ugly One Evening, inspired by his voyage across the Atlantic on board Cunard’s Literature Festival at Sea. Enjoy an afternoon tea with fizz as Chris talks to Julia Wheeler about how a luxury ocean liner provided a uniquely self-contained and atmospheric location for a locked-room murder mystery, the latest in his thrilling Jack Parlabane series. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

4–5.30pm

LR63

Kindly supported by Cunard

Power Our Mission When you buy a ticket, you power our mission. Every ticket sold could help fund free schools’ events and workshops.

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £17, £14

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

4.30–5.30pm

LH21

The Hive £14 Two acclaimed Irish writers talk to The Times Deputy Literary Editor Laura Hackett. From the author of Trespasses, Louise Kennedy’s Stations is a tender comingof-age following two Irish friends whose lives take different paths and what unfolds when they reunite years later in London. In Donal Ryan’s Where Are the Kings, a young lad’s life is drastically altered as he enters the muddled transition from boy to man. EVENT TIME

Robin Niblett: After America Join former Chatham House director Robin Niblett in conversation with Times Radio’s Manveen Rana for a timely and provocative look at the changing world order. As America steps back from the role it has played since 1945, he explains how smaller, agile states such as Taiwan, Switzerland and Singapore might help shape a more stable future. 4.30–5.30pm

LR15

T. S. Eliot Prize: Karen Solie

Garden Theatre £14

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

4.30–5.30pm

EVENT CODE

LC33

Pillar Room, Town Hall £14 T. S. Eliot Prize-winning poet Karen Solie shares her extraordinary new collection, Wellwater. One of the most distinctive voices in contemporary poetry, her work is intelligent, searching and full of startling observations about the world. Speaking with Don Paterson, she explores memory, identity and our relationship with a world in flux. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

5–6pm Kindly supported by the T. S. Eliot Foundation

LP03

Alexei Sayle The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17 Comedian, writer and lifelong activist Alexei Sayle talks to author Tiffany Murray about his memoir, How I’ve Tried to Change the World. Born into a Communist family in Liverpool, Alexei traces seven decades of political struggle, from Vietnam and the miners’ strikes to Iraq and Gaza. Eye-wateringly funny and sharply polemical, this is an hour of stories, ideas and defiance. EVENT TIME

LE47

Susie Dent and Robert Peston The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16 What happens when a lexicographer and a political journalist turn to fiction? Susie Dent and Robert Peston discuss their gripping new thrillers. From cryptic murders and runic clues in Oxford to a deadly conspiracy involving the Prime Minister, discover how two of Britain’s best-known broadcasters turn real-world expertise into page-turning fiction. EVENT TIME

6.30–7.30pm With thanks to our event supporters

EVENT CODE

6–7pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Journalist Jason Burke explores the hidden networks behind the most notorious hijackings and hostage crises of the 1970s, when extremist groups – united by their opposition to Israel, capitalism and the established order – terrorised the West. A fascinating journey into the origins of modern terrorism.

Louise Kennedy and Donal Ryan

FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER

The Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s

EVENT CODE

LR66

Culture shapes our collective futures And we believe everyone should have access to it. That’s why, by 2030, 50% of our Festival activity will be free. At Cheltenham Festivals, we’re committed to building a happier, healthier and culturally connected future. Find out more about the free events happening at this year’s Festival and ...around town activities on Friday 4 September. Follow us on social media or head to our website to find out more.

Save the Date

Friday 4 September

Produced by

Scan the QR to find out more

Victoria’s Restaurant, Queens Hotel £58 Ticket includes a drink.

Beyond the Political Frame

Andrew Davies: A Life in Scripts

Is it possible for Black lives to exist on the page without being framed through politics? Drawing on their work across literature, history, theatre and poetry, Emma Dennis Edwards, Caleb Femi and Paula Akpan join Guest Curator Candice CartyWilliams as they explore the intersection of storytelling and representation and the pressures placed on Black creators to speak for more than themselves. EVENT TIME

6.30–7.30pm

EVENT CODE

LR37

Garden Theatre £16 Andrew Davies, the undisputed maestro of literary adaptation, finally turns his razor-sharp pen on himself. From Pride and Prejudice to House of Cards, Bleak House to Bridget Jones – his own story proves just as compelling. An Unsuitable Boy weaves wit, irreverence and vulnerability into a memoir on writing, loving and surviving. In conversation with Fiona Lindsay. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

6.30–7.30pm

Donating £15 could help us reach our goal of engaging 450,000 children and young people in culture by 2030

LE30

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

6.30–8.30pm

W03

Willie, Willie, Harry, Stee Pillar Room, Town Hall £16 Willie, Willie, Harry, Stee, Harry, Dick, John, Harry three. One, two, three Neds, Richard Two, Henries four, five, six, then who? Thirty six kings. Six queens. One comedy legend. Charlie Higson gallops through England’s rulers in a rip-roaring story of regicide, fratricide, patricide, uxoricide and mariticide (you might have to look up those last two). EVENT TIME

7–8pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

The Hive £16

While writing her novel Fred and Edie, Jill Dawson was stuck and decided to give her protagonist, Edie Thompson, a Tarot reading. Twenty six years later and now a qualified Jungian Tarot reader, Jill’s new novel Pixie is about a forgotten Tarot artist. Including writing, discussion, interrogation of writing blocks and self-doubt, this workshop is suitable for all novelists, and will help unblock your writing or offer surprising directions for narrative or character. No prior knowledge of Tarot needed.

FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER

Tarot for Fiction Writers

EVENT CODE

LH14

Image: Krys FitzGerald-Morris

Image: Giles Keyte

FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER

Celia Imrie and Fidelis Morgan The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Join beloved actress and bestselling author Celia Imrie as she 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. EVENT TIME

8.15–9.15pm

EVENT CODE

LE20

Kindly supported by Bishop Fleming

Meet the Team Look out for the pink Cheltenham Festivals tent in the heart of the Festival village. Ask your questions, find out more about our charitable mission and get to know the team behind the Festival.

With thanks to our event supporters

The Folk Soul of Britain

Hollie McNish The Hive £16 14+ After a run of sell out shows, Hollie McNish returns to Cheltenham reading from her latest collection Virgin, as well as a selection of firm favourites. Expect strong language and adult content, gift-wrapped in poetry as she reads about love, loss, friendship, wolves, croissants and as much mashed potato as you can manage. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

8.30–9.30pm

LP07

Murder We Wrote

EVENT CODE

8.30–9.30pm

Join our Guest Curator MJ Arlidge and his panel of crime-writing colossi, Mark Billingham, Abir Mukherjee and Fiona Cummins, for a live, interactive crimewriting event in which you, the audience take charge of the investigation. Four master storytellers reveal how suspense is created, suspects are handled and readers are kept guessing. Bring your best ideas and prepare to help shape a thrilling story. Can you handle the suspense? 8.30–9.30pm

Actor and podcaster Tim Downie and broadcaster Zakia Sewell join Daze Aghaji for a journey into the folklore, sacred places and seasonal rites that shape Britain’s cultural landscape. From ancient stone circles and haunting folk songs to horn dances, tar barrel festivals and the Notting Hill Carnival, they explore the stories, rituals and communities keeping Britain’s rich folk heritage alive and reimagined for new generations. EVENT TIME

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16

EVENT TIME

Garden Theatre £16

EVENT CODE

LR24

LH15

Pierce Brown Pillar Room, Town Hall £16 Pierce Brown, author of the acclaimed sci-fi saga Red Rising, talks to Ben Mercer. After escaping from the dying Planet Earth, a discovery about the real fate of humankind leads a miner working at the heart of Mars to infiltrate the ruling elite class and ignite a solar system-wide revolution. EVENT TIME

9–10pm

EVENT CODE

LR56

I was surrounded by books. I thought, might as well give them a read. I was addicted from then. RAMZEE Storyteller and cartoonist National Year of Reading

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16

10–11am

12.15–1.15pm

EVENT CODE

LR39

A Great Family Day Out Turn to p. 79 to find our ticketed family events and discover more about all the fun, FREE activities happening in our Festival Village.

EVENT CODE

LH02

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio

Turning to Crime Pillar Room, Town Hall £16 What makes a writer turn to crime? MJ Arlidge is joined by three authors whose routes into crime fiction were anything but straightforward. Lisa Jewell moved from fashion into blockbuster psychological thrillers; Chris Whitaker left banking for writing and former criminal barrister and TV Traitor Harriet Tyce wrote her first novel during lockdown. They discuss the real-life experiences that feed their fiction and why dark stories are so irresistible to write. EVENT TIME

10.30–11.30am With thanks to our event supporters

At the height of the Cold War, Soviet double agent ‘Redwood’ secretly passed Kremlin intelligence to Britain and the United States, helping avert a potentially catastrophic East–West confrontation. With access to footage and The Times columnist and bestselling historian Ben Macintyre shares one of the greatest intelligence successes of the 20th century – an extraordinary tale of courage, loyalty and betrayal. EVENT TIME

Matt Haig talks to co-founder of the Boys Book Club Ben Mercer about his latest life-affirming novel, set in the world of international bestseller The Midnight Library. The Midnight Train offers the chance to re-live the moments that meant the most. Where would you stop? EVENT TIME

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17

EVENT CODE

Candice Carty-Williams

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Matt Haig

Ben Macintyre: Redwood

SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER

Saturday 17 October

Garden Theatre £16 Guest Curator Candice CartyWilliams returns to the beloved character of Queenie finding her priced out of the housing market where she grew up and stuck in a situationship while her biological clock is ticking. Bigger. Not better. Older. Not wiser. Queenie is working on it. EVENT TIME

12–1pm

EVENT CODE

LR09

LR25

SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER

The Lives of Objects

Xand van Tulleken: Make Me Well

Pillar Room, Town Hall £16

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16 Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

We have never had more ways to track and measure our health, but are we actually becoming healthier? From supplements and wearable technology to blood tests and personalised health plans, Xand van Tulleken investigates the booming wellness industry, revealing what really works and what we might be better off ignoring. Chaired by Giles Yeo. EVENT TIME

12–1pm

EVENT CODE

LX01

Curator and Director of the pioneering V&A East Gus Casely-Hayford and journalist Charlotte Higgins explore how objects, art and culture become powerful witnesses to who we are. Drawing on everything from museum collections to reporting from wartime Ukraine, they discuss the role of artists, writers and cultural institutions in preserving human stories, consider how material culture carries memory, meaning and identity across generations and ask why creativity remains essential in times of uncertainty and conflict. Chaired by Julia Wheeler. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

12.30–1.30pm

LA08

Sophie Raworth: Running on Air The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16 Sophie Raworth talks to Justin Webb about her remarkable journey from the BBC Breakfast sofa to becoming a marathon runner. From early setbacks to completing the World Marathon Majors and the 150-mile Marathon de Sables, she shares how running has transformed her life and helped with challenges from losing loved ones to interviewing the Prime Minister. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

2.30–3.30pm

LU03

Kindly supported by Brethertons Solicitors Produced by

BOLD IDEAS. FEARLESS CONVERSATIONS.

WITH HOSTS

PRESENTER

GABY MENDES

FIND THE PODCAST WHEREVER YOU LISTEN BBC RADIO 1XTRA DJ

With thanks to our event supporters

FEE MAK

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17

EVENT TIME

2.30–3.30pm

The Hive £12 High fantasy? Romantasy? Cosy fantasy? Dystopian? What’s your favourite kind? Join bestselling and award‑winning Harper Fire fantasy authors S. F. Williamson (A Language of Dragons), Kiera Azar (Thorn Season) and Amy Mae Baxter (Between Worlds B&B) as they explore the YA genre we can’t get enough of. Hosted by Molly Morris. EVENT TIME

4–5pm

EVENT CODE

LF18

EVENT CODE

LC24

Plan Your Visit Download the Festival App – your one stop shop for all things Cheltenham Literature Festival.

Sajid Javid: A 1970s Childhood

Celebrating David Hockney The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16

From bright blue pools in LA to rolling Yorkshire landscapes, David Hockney is renowned for his bold use of colour, playful perspective and restless experimentation across painting, photography and digital media. In the year of Hockney’s passing, Will Gompertz is joined by art critic and author James Cahill and writer and long-time collaborator of Hockney Martin Gayford to celebrate the extraordinary life, work and legacy of an artist who continually reshaped how we see the world around us. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

4.30–5.30pm

LA11

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

We are living through the most dangerous period of international tension since the end of the Cold War. With defence spending firmly on the agenda, alliances shifting and military forces preparing for potential conflict, where are the greatest risks to global stability? Florence Gaub, Director of the NATO Defence College Research Division, former British ambassador to the United States Kim Darroch and foreign affairs correspondent Gideon Rachman join Robin Niblett to share expert analysis and consider what the international community must do to prevent conflict from escalating.

From Dragons to Dystopia: YA Fantasy Must Reads

SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER

The Next World War

Garden Theatre £16 The son of Pakistani immigrants, former Conservative Cabinet minister Sajid Javid reflects on growing up in 1970s Britain, overcoming poverty and racism and rising to the highest levels of public life. In conversation with former Labour Cabinet minister Alan Johnson, he shares a story of resilience, family sacrifice and the power of dreaming big. EVENT TIME

4.30–5.30pm

Reading, for me, involves my kids. We sit down and read every night as a family. Kaleb Cooper Farmer and author National Year of Reading

EVENT CODE

LM02

SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER

Stephanie Sy-Quia: The Sunday Times Must Reads Richard Osman The Times and Sunday Times Forum £23, £20

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Bestselling author Richard Osman returns with We Chase Shadows, the eagerly awaited new novel in his We Solve Murders series. Interviewed by Andrew Hunter Murray, join him as he discusses the twists, characters and mysteries at the heart of his thrilling new story, reflecting on his journey to become one of Britain’s most popular crime writers. EVENT TIME

4.45–5.45pm

The Alternative Book Club Parabola Arts Centre £16

Pillar Room, Town Hall £16 A freshly ordained priest and a woman challenging the archaic rules of the Church form an undeniable bond amid faith and rebellion in this outstanding novel by an Observer Best Debut Novelist Stephanie Sy-Quia. Chaired by The Times’ Deputy Literary Editor Laura Hackett. EVENT TIME

5–6pm

EVENT CODE

LR13

An unconventional comedy night about books where there is absolutely NO required reading. Prepare to be entertained – and informed – by phenomenal line up of award-winning comics Verity Babbs, Mark Cooper Jones and Jay Foreman who will be dissecting anything lit: from John Milton’s Paradise Lost to Kim Kardashian’s Selfish and everything in between. Hosted by Shirley Halse. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

6.30–7.30pm

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio

EVENT CODE

LE22

Kindly supported by Pegasus Homes

Reading Teachers = Reading Pupils Our programme ensures books get into the right hands at the right time. We collaborate with teachers across the country to select books and inspire their pupils. We offer termly teacher book groups and a variety of book-related activities and resources for both pupils and their teachers, including author webinars and interviews and creative writing challenges. Find out more at cheltenhamfestivals.org/rtrp or email education@cheltenhamfestivals.org The Waite Family

With thanks to our event supporters

LP05

Sarah Cooksley Cheltenham Festivals National Year of Reading

Greg James The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16 Join Greg James, BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show host, in conversation with Matthew Stadlen about his memoir All the Best for the Future – a warm-hearted celebration of the lost art of having fun. From radio to Tailenders to his daft dog Barney, Greg talks about how not to lose your inner child and keep having fun along the way. EVENT CODE

6.30–7.30pm

LE52

Marina Hyde The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17

Garden Theatre £16 In 2014, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nadia Murad’s world was shattered when Islamic State fighters attacked her village, massacring hundreds and forcing her into a system of sexual slavery. She joins The Sunday Times Chief Foreign Correspondent Christina Lamb to share her powerful story of strength and perseverance, showing that survival is not the end of the story. It is the beginning. EVENT TIME

6.30–7.30pm

With thanks to our event supporters

EVENT CODE

LC15

Marina Hyde talks to The Rest is Entertainment podcast pal Richard Osman about her new book, What a Time to Be Alive!, a catalogue of the dystopian soap opera of modern times. Travel to space with Lauren Sanchez and Katy Perry, relive the Gwyneth Paltrow ski trial and celebrate the inaugural winner of the FIFA Peace Prize as he threatens to annex countries and start wars. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

7–8pm Kindly supported by Willans LLP Solicitors

LE01

Blur: The Early Years Pillar Room, Town Hall £16 The drummer from Blur, Dave Rowntree, shares the tales behind the band’s formative years, with unheard stories and candid photos from his book No One You Know. From early friendships to world tours and famously going headto-head with Oasis, he offers rare insight into the moments that shaped one of 1990s Britpop’s defining bands. EVENT TIME

7–8pm

EVENT CODE

LE36

Power Our Mission A percentage of every purchase made on site, from food and drink to books from the Waterstones bookshops, contributes to supporting our year-round work.

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

EVENT TIME

Nadia Murad: I Choose My Beginning

SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER

If you play computer games, if you watch films, you are connecting with stories. Consider yourself a story lover and therefore a reader.

Nocturnes and Night Music Parabola Arts Centre £16

The Hive £16

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Can art be dangerous? Philosopher Daisy Dixon explores artworks that have shocked and divided audiences across history. From ancient artefacts and Renaissance masterpieces to contemporary music and film, at a time when debates about censorship and artistic responsibility are increasingly contentious, she asks why disturbing art continues to fascinate us and why engaging with difficult art matters. Chaired by Monika Radojevic. EVENT TIME

7–8pm

From ancient lullabies to the nocturnes of Chopin and the ambient soundscapes of today, the night has inspired some of the most haunting and beautiful music ever written. Listen to the sounds of the night brought to life as Susan Tomes plays the piano and talks with Michael Spitzer about our fascination with music of darkness, dreams and sleep. EVENT TIME

8.30–9.30pm

LX09

EVENT CODE

LA13

EVENT CODE

LR58

The Art of Real Optimism Garden Theatre £16

Join Reece Shearsmith in conversation with Matthew Stadlen about Things I Took from the Dark, his extraordinary and deeply personal new book. Part memoir, part cabinet of curiosities, it gathers decades of collecting the strange and unexplained, from haunted objects to ghosts and monsters, reflecting his life and the inspirations behind The League of Gentlemen and Inside No. 9. EVENT CODE

LE35

Ian Botham The Times and Sunday Times Forum £42, £39 Ticket includes

Optimism isn’t about pretending everything is fine. Health psychologist Deepika Chopra and poetry sensation David Larbi explain how optimism can coexist with uncertainty and stress. They invite us to slow down, notice the joys woven into our days and engage with tangible tools helping to build habits to last a lifetime.

a copy of Seasons. RRP £22.

EVENT TIME

9–10pm

8.30–9.30pm With thanks to our event supporters

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16

8.30–9.30pm

One of Spain’s most essential novelists Sara Mesa talks to Rosie Goldsmith as they explore how a family’s core beliefs can be twisted into tools of quiet domination. The Family is a novel about the damage done in the name of principle and the long aftershocks of childhood.

Kindly supported by Instituto Cervantes

Reece Shearsmith

EVENT TIME

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £16

8–9pm

EVENT CODE

La Familia

EVENT TIME

Image: Rory Lewis

SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER

Depraved: The Story of Dangerous Art

EVENT CODE

LQ04

As he turns 70, one of England’s greatest sporting icons reflects on family, career and the defining moments that have shaped his life. The legendary Beefy shares stories of explosive rivalries, unforgettable victories and the experiences that have forged his remarkable legacy. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

LU08

SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER

Sunday 18 October

Monumental: Great Buildings of the World The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16

America at 250

Two and a half centuries after the Declaration of Independence, we examine the past, present and future of the United States. As the country grapples with deep political division, shifting global influence and questions about its role on the world stage, journalist Stephanie Baker, historian Sarah Churchwell and former British ambassador to the United States Kim Darroch join Justin Webb to reflect on America’s enduring myths, its changing identity and the challenges and opportunities that will shape its next chapter. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

10–11am

Make a Day of It There are plenty of cosy corners on site to curl up in with a coffee, a book or just to watch the world go by.

LC26

EVENT TIME

10–11am

EVENT CODE

LH19

MJ Arlidge and Ruth Ware Pillar Room, Town Hall £16 Around 20% of all TV scripted drama is crime: we just can’t get enough of flawed detectives, red herrings and gritty streets. Our Guest Curator MJ Arlidge worked in television for many years and Ruth Ware recently saw her 2016 novel The Woman in Cabin 10 adapted by Netflix. They explore the adaptation process from both perspectives, with Tim Hubbard. EVENT TIME

10.30–11.30am

EVENT CODE

LR23

David Szalay Garden Theatre £16 Exploring masculinity, power and fate, David Szalay’s Flesh sees young István catapulted from a quiet Hungarian apartment to the world of London’s elite society. Talking to Clare Clark, he reflects on his propulsive novel and winning the 2025 Booker Prize. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

12–1pm

LR01

Who Would Win the Literary Traitors? The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16 Our Classic Literature Debate returns as Celebrity Traitors grips the nation once more. Which fictional character would scheme, charm, backstab and “murder” their way to victory? Sarah Churchwell defends last year’s title against The Barbeque at No. 9 author Jennie Godfrey and a special mystery guest, while Gaby Huddart tries to control proceedings. Vote for the most convincing argument. EVENT TIME

12–1pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17

Stone has been used for millennia to express our greatest ambitions. Master stonemason and conservator Simon Warrack joins fellow stonemason Andrew Ziminski to uncover the stories hidden within some of humanity’s greatest monuments. From Angkor Wat to Great Zimbabwe and Canterbury Cathedral, they explore the ingenuity, craftsmanship and culture passed down through the ages.

EVENT CODE

LD16

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Join bestselling brothers Andrew and Lee Child as they discuss Chain Reaction, the latest Jack Reacher thriller, with Julia Wheeler. They’ll explore their unique writing partnership, Reacher’s enduring appeal and keeping one of fiction’s most iconic heroes fresh for new readers –plus adapting the books for the big screen, starring Hollywood legend Tom Cruise. EVENT TIME

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

2.30–3.30pm

LR29

LE34

Voices of Migration to Britain

Tony Adams: 1996

Pillar Room, Town Hall £16 What do we leave behind when we move to a new place – and what do we carry with us? Colin Grant has travelled the country talking to people who have forged a new life in Britain. Joined by poet Clementine Burnley, who migrated from Cameroon to Scotland, and Polish health worker and aspiring comedian Joanna Surowiec from Cheltenham, they reflect on identity, belonging and the emotional cost of leaving home.

With thanks to our event supporters

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Trust, Hernan Diaz, interrogates the role of technology in a future America. In Ply, an orphan pinches electricity to power the downtown music scene she adores until a quest for truth draws her to an experiment that could change the fabric of reality itself.

EVENT CODE

12–1pm

12.30–1.30pm

Pillar Room, Town Hall £16

Image: Alexandra Arlett

SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17

EVENT TIME

Hernan Diaz

Andrew and Lee Child

EVENT CODE

LH13

Sleep-deprived, doomscrolling and feeling anxious every time you watch the news? Caitlin Moran talks to her friend, Times Radio presenter Hugo Rifkind, about the small things we can do to make each day a little better. Full of practical optimism, this might just be the most uplifting – and useful – ‘wellbeing’ advice you’ll hear all year. 2.30–3.30pm

EVENT CODE

LL02

In partnership with The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio. Kindly supported by Kohler Mira

The former England captain and Arsenal legend reflects on the summer of ‘96 and the personal crisis that changed his life. While England celebrated a memorable run to the semi-finals, Tony Adams was battling addiction, family breakdown and misery. In conversation with Matthew Stadlen, he revisits the highs and lows from on and off the pitch. 2.30–3.30pm

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17

EVENT TIME

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16

EVENT TIME

Caitlin Moran: How to be Hopeful

EVENT CODE

LU01

Through reading I could immerse myself in worlds... it was very comforting. Ingrid Oliver, Actor and comedian National Year of Reading

Garden Theatre £16

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £58 Ticket includes a tea or coffee and refreshments.

EVENT TIME

4–6pm

EVENT CODE

W01

Lifeboat: A Volunteer’s Story The Hive £16

Julian Lloyd Webber The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16 Julian Lloyd Webber reflects with Gavin Plumley on an extraordinary life in music, drawing on his memoir Bows and Arrows. With warmth and honesty, he shares stories from a career among the world’s greatest musicians, exposing classical music’s hidden realities, from his celebrated musical upbringing to the injury that ended his career, as well as his commitment to music’s transformative power for every child. EVENT TIME

4.30–5.30pm

EVENT CODE

LE02

Dominic Gregory brings to life the reality of volunteering with the RNLI: the tension before the alarm, the discipline of training, the split-second decisions that can mean life or death and the quiet camaraderie that binds the crew together. He tells Julia Wheeler what it’s really like to answer the call and launch into danger when lives depend on it.

We are delighted to host the annual David Vaisey Trust Awards Ceremony at Cheltenham Literature Festival, recognising initiatives by Gloucestershire libraries that result in more people reading more books.

EVENT TIME

For more information, visit davidvaiseyawards. co.uk

4.30–5.30pm

EVENT CODE

LM03

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

4.30–5.30pm

LP13

Clare and Michael Morpurgo: Life on the Farm Parabola Arts Centre £16 Fifty years ago, Clare and Michael Morpurgo left London with their young family and set off for rural Devon. A leap into the unknown became the foundation for a remarkable life together. They recall their years on the magical farm that inspired Michael’s most enduring stories including War Horse and Private Peaceful and where they founded Farms for City Children, connecting generations of young people from urban areas with the countryside. EVENT TIME

4.30–5.30pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Publishing used to seem simple: write your potential bestseller, land an agent, let publishers bid for you. Amazon and the digital revolution upended all that, but finding readers is harder than ever. John Bond, former Penguin Marketing Director and HarperCollins editor of Hilary Mantel and Jonathan Franzen, now runs Whitefox and co-authored Going Indie: Publishing Your Book Your Way. He and Whitefox’s Julia Koppitz demystify today’s publishing landscape, laying out the routes to market.

The South West’s leading live poetry night returns with another unmissable line-up. Award-winning poet, novelist and musician Anthony Joseph, whose electrifying performances weave together poetry, music and storytelling is joined by acclaimed poet and performer Roger Robinson, plus one more special guest to be announced, for an evening of bold ideas, unforgettable performances and some of the very best voices in contemporary poetry.

SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER

Raise The Bar

How to Publish a Book

EVENT CODE

LM01

SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER

Katherine Ryan The Times and Sunday Times Forum £20, £17

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Join comedian, writer and broadcaster Katherine Ryan for a candid, hilarious conversation about her new book, First Born Daughter. Following the success of her bestselling memoir, The Audacity, Katherine turns her sharp eye to the pressures of being a woman, wife and daughter today. Talking to Gaby Huddart, she explores family, parenting and women’s rights with unflinching honesty. EVENT TIME

4.45–5.45pm

EVENT CODE

LE10

Kindly supported by Benefact Group

Nao-cola Yamazaki: Picks From Japan Pillar Room, Town Hall £16 An instant bestseller in Japan, Nao-cola Yamazaki presents Don’t Laugh at Other People’s Sex Lives, a touching portrait of late adolescence in which an art student begins a passionate affair with one of his married tutors. Chaired by Rosie Goldsmith. EVENT TIME

5–6pm

EVENT CODE

LR40

Presented in collaboration with the Japan Foundation. Kindly supported by The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation

With thanks to our event supporters

W&N Proof Party: Leigh Lawson: Extraordinary Now and Then The Hive Stories from £16 WWII Actor, director and writer Leigh The Nook on Five £36 Ticket includes a glass of fizz or soft drink and a goody bag of limited edition proofs. Doors open 5pm.

Be the first to hear about two exciting titles from Weidenfeld & Nicolson’s 2027 publishing list. Ed Caesar tells the astonishing true story of the Comet Line, the underground network that rescued shot-down British airmen. Andrew Holgate unpacks the mystery surrounding Mussolini’s assassination more than 80 years ago, as Italy’s fascist dictator fled the collapsing regime he had forged in blood. Discover two extraordinary WWII stories and take home limited edition advance copies of both. Chaired by Clare Clark. EVENT TIME

5.30–6.30pm

EVENT CODE

LDF03

Your Festival, Your Way Pick from our selection of ticketed events, then explore all the Festival Village has to offer, from food and drink to free activities and family fun.

Lawson reflects on more than six decades of life through a deeply personal collection of poetry and stories. Funny, moving and quietly profound, his poems trace a journey from a difficult childhood to a celebrated career, capturing the moments, memories and people that shaped him. EVENT TIME

6.30–7.30pm

EVENT CODE

LP06

Jimmy Wales: The Seven Rules of Trust Garden Theatre £16 When Jimmy Wales founded Wikipedia more than two decades ago, he changed the landscape of knowledge forever. But what happens when we stop trusting what we read, hear and share? Jimmy examines the crisis of trust defining our age, exploring how reliable knowledge is built, why it matters and what it will take to strengthen the foundations of our communities and institutions. Chaired by Julia Wheeler. EVENT TIME

6.30–7.30pm

EVENT CODE

LC41

Celebrating Jilly Cooper

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

6.30–7.30pm

LL09

Willy Vlautin: The Left and the Lucky

Former QI Elf and co-host of No Such Thing As a Fish Andrew Hunter Murray discusses his new sci-fi adventure. In Everything Happens So Much, an unremarkable woman deletes every other version of herself in every other reality making her the target of an intergalactic manhunt. 7–8pm

The Portland-based novelist and The Delines musician talks to Rónán Hession about his moving new novel. A large-hearted story of vulnerability and unlikely connection, it follows the fragile bond between a solitary house painter and eight-year-old Russell that explores what it means to protect, to fail and to keep going. The conversation will be followed by a short solo performance of music by Willy Vlautin. 6.30–7.45pm

Pillar Room, Town Hall £16

EVENT TIME

Parabola Arts Centre £16

EVENT TIME

Andrew Hunter Murray

EVENT CODE

LR02

EVENT CODE

LR60

Gloucestershire Writers’ Network Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £16 Gloucestershire Writers’ Network competition winners present their work inspired by the theme, ‘Islands’. Competition judges David Clarke and Mandy Robotham also read a selection of their work. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

7–8.15pm

LK04

Join The Times writer Caitlin Moran for a celebration of Jilly Cooper’s life, work and enduring appeal, with a special focus on the hit screen adaptation of Rivals. Featuring her literary agent Felicity Blunt, Rivals executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins, actor Katherine Parkinson, novelist and Bridget Jones creator Helen Fielding and Jilly’s daughter, Emily Tarrant. Together, they explore Jilly’s extraordinary legacy and the journey from page to screen. A heartfelt tribute and joyous celebration of one of Britain’s most beloved authors. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

7–9pm

LE09

Chris Woakes The Cunard Stage, Town Hall £19, £16 Legendary England all-rounder Chris Woakes reflects on the unforgettable final chapter of his international career, including his heroic farewell at The Oval. In conversation with broadcaster Max Whittle, he shares behind-the-scenes stories from that dramatic Test and looks back on 15 years representing England as one of the most admired cricketers of his generation. EVENT TIME

8.30–9.30pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Grief touches us all, yet it remains one of the hardest things to talk about. Actor, author and screenwriter Greg Wise reflects on why we often hide our grief and how we can better support others. Novelist Hannah Richell shares her experience of rebuilding her life after her husband’s sudden death. In conversation with Cathy Rentzenbrink, they explore how to find hope, healing and happiness in the wake of loss.

The Times and Sunday Times Forum £23, £20

SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER

Speaking of Grief

EVENT CODE

LU06

Youn g g Youn Youn g g Youn Youn g g Youn Youn Adu g lt Youn g lt oun Adu oun Adu g lt g lt oun Adu Adu lt oun g ung lt Adu ung Adu lt ung lt Adu ung dult ung dult ng ng dult ng dult ng dult ult ng g ult g ult g ult ult glt lt lt ttt Saturday 10 October

Dungeons and Dragons Made Me Write This

Illustrating Harry Potter

Pillar Room, Town Hall £12 Age 11+

Illustrator Levi Pinfold brings to life Harry Potter’s sixth year at Hogwarts. Explore his creative process, from absorbing the story, through early sketches to richly detailed four‑colour artwork, created using traditional techniques. With breathtaking detail, atmospheric landscapes and striking depictions of beloved characters, discover how his childhood in the Forest of Dean continues to shape his art. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

10.30–11.30am

LF43

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £20 Age 12+

Ticket includes a copy of the author’s book, RRP £8.99.

Could playing Dungeons & Dragons unlock your creativity? Join author and Dungeon Master Lucas Maxwell for a workshop where storytelling meets gameplay. Drawing on his first novel, inspired by growing up neurodivergent in rural Nova Scotia, Lucas shows how choices and imagination bring stories to life. Create your own worlds, build unforgettable characters and start writing your next adventure. EVENT TIME

Cabin 13–18 Read, recharge, meet friends, play games and discover the best teen activities happening across the Festival. Find it on the map, p. 118

12–1pm

EVENT CODE

LF45

The Earth Transformed Pillar Room, Town Hall £12 Age 12+ Bestselling historian Peter Frankopan (The Silk Roads) uncovers the extreme forces that have shaped our world. From volcanic eruptions and shifting oceans to devastating droughts and storms, discover how climate has driven human history. Spanning from the Big Bang to today, he reveals how people have struggled to understand and control nature – and what this means as we face a rapidly changing planet. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

2.30–3.30pm

LF82

Sunday 11 October

Secrets and Lies The Hive £12 Age 12+ A haunting thriller inspired by real events and a gripping murder shaped by ruthless ambition. Unpack questions of truth, pressure and power and discover how to craft a killer thriller with YA stars Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Sarah Crossan, in conversation with Sharna Jackson. EVENT TIME

4–5pm

EVENT CODE

LF34

Saturday 17 October

From Dragons to Dystopia

Aardman Model Making Workshops Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £20 All materials will be provided. Join us for a fun and hands on model making session. Get creative with clay and take your make home with you. The session will be run by an expert model maker, who has worked on some of Aardman’s best loved productions. They have lots of great anecdotes and insights into the wonderful world of Aardman to share too!

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £12 Age 12+ Something is coming. Patrick Ness, an icon of YA Science Fiction, returns to the Chaos Walking universe which is still far from a utopia. A burning god tears from the forest, something appears in the night sky, and the Noise is back. What drew him to New World after 20 years? How did he find revisiting the series to write the screenplay and a trilogy for a new generation? With audience Q&A, this is a must for longtime fans and new readers alike. Hosted by Daniel Hahn. EVENT TIME

11am–12pm

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

4–5pm

LF18

LF52

Gromit Age 7–18

2–3pm

LF53

Morph Age 7–18

4–5pm

LF54

Plus, enjoy a FREE event with DOM&INK in VOICEBOX.

LF50

Don’t miss the best and brig htest

See p. 9 for more details

High fantasy? Romantasy? Cosy fantasy? Dystopian? What’s your favourite? Join bestselling and award‑winning Harper Fire fantasy writers S. F. Williamson (A Language of Dragons), Kiera Azar (Thorn Season) and Amy Mae Baxter (Between Worlds B&B) as they explore the genre we can’t get enough of. Hosted by Molly Morris.

Shaun the Sheep Age 7–18

EVENT CODE

6.30–7.30pm

The Hive £12 Age 14+

Keep an eye out for the VOICEBOX Zine in September or follow us on social media.

young talent at this year’s

@voicebox__ _

@cheltfestivals

Make a Minifold Zine

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Patrick Ness: Return to Chaos Walking

YOUNG ADULT

Thursday 15 October

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £12 Age 12+ Step into the cozy realm of inkstained paper and whispered tales. Lize Meddings, the graphic novelist and creator of The Sad Ghost Club, guides you through a minifold zine workshop. Discover the magic of comics, explore your creativity, and perhaps even find a friendly spectral companion along the way. EVENT TIME

6–7pm

EVENT CODE

LF32

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Family Programme

Look out for these icons Workshop Bring along a pencil and paper to join in. British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted events • All ages are recommendations, you know your child best • For safety, children 11 years and under must be accompanied by a ticket holder aged 16+ More information on p. 111

The Den Create a new land for The Magic Faraway Tree, model a scene in clay, explore the Micro Life installation, play in the sensory story area, build LEGO® stories and take part in many more creative activities.

Little People, BIG DREAMS Trail

Waterstones Children’s Bookshop

Pick up a quiz sheet from the Trail Tent and find the posters to discover the real-life stories of some extraordinary people.

Browse the shelves, get recommendations from our expert children’s booksellers and meet authors after their events.

The Den

Story Shack

Trail Tent

Story Shack

From Romani campfire tales to dinosaur explorer adventures and superhero storytelling sessions, step inside and discover a galaxy of storytelling stars.

Character Costumes Look out for the Gruffalo, Tom Gates and the Donut Squad parading around the Festival Village.

Make your way to the Children’s Area, where you’ll receive a warm welcome from our friendly volunteers. Fill up water bottles, change babies and enjoy a snack from home or something tasty from one of our Festival food stalls. Pick up a quiz sheet and explore the Little People, BIG DREAMS® Trail around the site.

Cabin 13–18 Read, recharge, play, relax, meet friends and discover the best teen events, books and activities happening across the Festival.

Waterstones Children’s Bookshop Cabin 13–18

The Hush

Go to a brilliant children’s book event or workshop. Purchase tickets at our Box Office with help on what to choose. Visit the Children’s Festival Bookshop to meet authors, get books signed and discover new favourites. Refuel with lunch in one of our picnic areas and keep an eye out for roaming book characters. Enjoy a free storytelling session in the Story Shack. Get creative in The Den with hands-on crafts, activities and imaginative play. Swap some of your much-loved books at our Big Children’s Book Swap.

Covered Picnic Area

The Hush A quiet space in a busy world where we pause, wonder and dream through creativity, storytelling and stillness.

Take a quiet moment to recharge in The Hush. Head home with a head full of stories, ideas and inspiration (and maybe a few new books too!)

With thanks to our supporters

SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER

Saturday 10 October

Tom Gates with Liz Pichon Garden Theatre £9 Age 7+

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Watch Tom Gates’ brilliant world come to life with author-illustrator, Liz Pichon. The series celebrates 15 Funny Years this year. Get ready for a feel-good show packed with doodling, games, stories and a live draw‑along – perfect for fans and newcomers alike. Pencils at the ready! EVENT TIME

Magical Map Making

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

10–10.30am 11–11.30am

LF26 LF69

Parabola Arts Centre £9 Age 4+

Create enchanted maps and worlds with Eric Huang. Inspired by Guardians of the New Moon, discover your lunar zodiac animal and bring it to life through drawing and storytelling. Explore East Asian myths and invent incredible creatures and epic adventures. EVENT CODE

LF64

11am–12pm

The Hive £9 Age 7+ John Patrick Green is a human who makes comic books about animals with human jobs, including InvestiGators and Agents of S.U.I.T. Hear how John created his sewer surfing super sleuths, Mango and Brash, dive into Weather or Not to find out why the city’s water supply has been replaced with milk, and meet the newest agents the InvestiGatos. There’ll be plenty of time for jokes and a comic drawalong too! EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

12.15–1pm

LF07

Parabola Arts Centre £9 Age 8+

Step into an imaginative world of story choices with author Pippa Goodhart and illustrator Nick Sharratt at our You Choose book party. Bursting with big questions, pick characters, places, pets and more to decide what happens next. Fun, games and drawing await! EVENT TIME

InvestiGators Comic Fun

Seven Inventions that Changed the World

You Choose

Ticket includes one adult, one child and a copy of the author’s book

10–11am

Enjoy a touchy‑feely storytelling journey through some of the books in the That’s Not My... series by Fiona Watt. Led by musician George Hoyle, this warm, engaging event is full of sensory fun and discovery, filled with textures, songs, rhymes and playful games.

LF25

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £20 Age 6+

The Hive £6 Age 1+

EVENT CODE

10–11am

EVENT TIME

That’s Not My... Storytime!

EVENT CODE

LF21

Discover how technology and engineering shape our everyday lives with engineer and presenter Roma Agrawal. From spaceships to shoes, explore the seven small inventions behind it all and uncover their surprising stories. Think differently about the world – and try some extraordinary builds using everyday materials. EVENT TIME

1–2pm

EVENT CODE

LF76

Garden Theatre £9 Age 5+

EVENT TIME

2–3pm

EVENT CODE

LF13

Draw, Laugh, Go Wild in Grimwood

Make Your Own Mystery

The Hive £9 Age 7+

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £20 Age 10+ Ticket includes one adult, one child and a copy of the author’s book

Make your own mystery with author Sharna Jackson. In this fun and fast-paced session, get into the three Ps – people, plot and place. You’ll choose a setting, develop detectives, select suspicious suspects and call out the culprit, tying it all together with a tantalising title. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

2–3pm

Family Day Out Discount* Make the most of your trip to the Festival and get 10% off when buying tickets to two or more family events

Laugh your head off with award‑winning author‑illustrator Nadia Shireen as she leads you back into the wonderfully weird world of Grimwood, home to thieving eagles, dramatic ducks and a party‑mad crow. Discover what it takes to create your own story and get your pencils ready for a step‑by‑step guide on how to draw some of her fantastic Grimwood characters. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

2.30–3.30pm

LF35

LF03

Book Bookonline online at at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Step into a spellbinding adventure with Harriet Muncaster. Enjoy a fun, interactive event with creative draw-alongs. Discover the inspiration behind Harriet’s much-loved characters and celebrate 10 magical years of everyone’s favourite half-fairy, half-vampire hero, Isadora Moon. Meet her newest character, Wiska Wildflower, as she shares stories from this enchanting new series.

SUNDAY 1810 OCTOBER SATURDAY OCTOBER

The World of Harriet Muncaster

Enjoy a great family day out, with author events, free storytelling sessions, adventure trails, arts and crafts, tasty treats from our on-site traders and appearances by favourite book characters. Valid on family events taking place on the same day. Excludes workshops, book and ticket and YA events.

SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER

The Wunderful World of Nevermoor

The Earth Transformed Pillar Room, Town Hall £12 Age 12+

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Bestselling historian Peter Frankopan (The Silk Roads) uncovers the extreme forces that have shaped our world. From volcanic eruptions and shifting oceans to devastating droughts and storms, discover how climate has driven human history. Spanning from the Big Bang to today, he reveals how people have struggled to understand and control nature – and what this means as we face a rapidly changing planet. EVENT TIME

2.30–3.30pm

EVENT CODE

LF82

The Hive £9 Age 8+

The Big Comic Draw-Off Parabola Arts Centre £9 Age – Whole Family Enjoy a lively, laugh‑out‑loud drawing showdown with comic superstars Patrice Aggs, Laura Ellen Anderson, Neill Cameron and John Patrick Green. They bring your wildest ideas to life right before your eyes. With Robin Etherington as your host, cheer, laugh and decide the winner. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

3–4pm

Little People, BIG DREAMS® 10th Anniversary Trail This trail brings to life the bestselling children’s biography series by Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara. Pick up a quiz sheet from the Trail Tent and find the trail posters to discover the real-life stories of some extraordinary people.

LF08

Step behind the veil of Nevermoor with Australian author Jessica Townsend and discover Morrigan Crow – a cursed girl who escapes her fate to find friendship, danger and belonging in a magical city. From thrilling trials to the mystery of Silverborn, Jessica shares her creative journey. A world of wunder where every child can see themselves – and imagine who they might become. Hosted by Anna James. EVENT TIME

4.30–5.30pm

EVENT CODE

LF05

Dr Maggie’s Grand Tour of the Solar System

The Bunnies of Hoppity Hill Storytelling

Garden Theatre £9 Age 8+

The Hive £6 Age 2+

EVENT TIME

Discover the imagination behind Inkbound’s fantastical flying cities and heroes with Philippa Leathley. Get stuck in and create your own magical characters with practical tips on bringing them to life. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

12–1pm

LF49

EVENT CODE

10–11am

LF14

LF27 LF68

Make Your Own Mystery

Who’s the Football GOAT?

Donut Squad Take Over the World

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £20 Age 10+ Ticket includes one adult, one child and a copy of the author’s book.

For full details, turn to p.8. 10–11am

Ticket includes one adult, one child and a copy of the author’s book

EVENT CODE

10–10.30am 11–11.30am

EVENT TIME

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £20 Age 9+

EVENT CODE

LF36

Parabola Arts Centre £9 Age 7+

Parabola Arts Centre £9 Age 7+ Join comic creator Neill Cameron for a bonkers adventure into the world of Donut Squad! Meet Sprinkles, Jammyboi and their friends as they hatch plans for world domination (and dodge the scheming bagels). Packed with laughs, live drawing and tips, this event will turn you into a donut‑drawing expert! EVENT TIME

10–11am

EVENT CODE

LF09

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

A gentle, interactive storyteller session with musician George Hoyle, inspired by the bestselling picture book series The Bunnies of Hoppity Hill. Join a crew of brave bunnies on a swashbuckling Summer adventure. Row the boat, explore the shores, play on the beach, sing shanties... and keep a look out for hidden surprises and buried treasure!

Blast off on an amazing space adventure with space scientist Maggie Aderin. Discover planets, moons, asteroids and satellites, find out if people could live on Mars, and hunt for a mysterious new world. Learn why astronauts are heading back to the Moon and what future space explorers might discover.

Creating Magical Characters

SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER

Sunday 11 October

From global superstars to local legends, writer Matt Oldfield and footballer Seth Burkett look at what makes some football players so spectacular. Using big facts, stats and stories they’ll host a live debate with the audience. Have your say in this entertaining, unmissable session for young football fans and challenge the authors in the Q&A. EVENT TIME

12–1pm

EVENT CODE

LF31

SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER

Create Your Own Mummies, Maps Star Kitties and Mischief The Hive £9 Age 5+

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Spend a purr‑fect morning in Whiskery Paw with writer‑illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson. Meet the pawsitively magical cast of Star Kitties, from Tabitha Flair to her fabulous feline friends. Discover how Laura creates her dazzling worlds, help dream up a brand‑new Star Kitty, then grab your pencils and learn how to draw one of Tabitha’s claw‑some companions! EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

12.15–1pm

LF10

The Hive £9 Age 5+

Pillar Room, Town Hall £9 Age 9+

Go adventuring with the Adventuremice team, Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre. Discover Of Mice and Mummies as the intrepid Adventuremice journey to a secret island of mouse sphinxes, pyramids and palaces. Packed with drawalongs and creativity, this is unmissable fun for young adventurers.

Enter the secret world of Crookhaven school – now a BBC family drama – with J. J. Arcanjo. Meet the students mastering criminally good skills to bring justice and order to the outside world. Packed with twists and turns, this series is about chosen family, high stakes thievery and what it really means to do good. Devise a new crook student timetable and put your questions to the author.

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

2–3pm

LF38

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

2.30–3.30pm

How to Draw LEGO® Stories

Shifty McGifty PAWsome Fun

Parabola Arts Centre £9 Age 5+ Get ready for a fun-filled, fast paced event that will inspire creativity and build a love of reading, as well as bricks. Join illustrators Marta Kissi and James Lancett for a LEGOinspired drawing session as we celebrate the brand-new story books LEGO Friends Pet Rescuers Bunny Breakout! and LEGO City Game On! Donut Dash. EVENT TIME

Crookhaven School for Thieves

2–3pm

EVENT CODE

LF24

Adventures in Neverland

Garden Theatre £9 Age 4+

Parabola Arts Centre £9 Age 9+

Solving mysteries and sniffing out trouble! Once robbers, now crime-solvers, baker dogs Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam are on the case. Join creators Tracey Corderoy and Steven Lenton for a session of interactive storytelling, live illustration, and PAW-some drawing and games. EVENT TIME

2–3pm

LF01

EVENT CODE

LF22

Let your imagination take flight and design your very own Neverland island with authors of The Neverland Thieves, Katie and Kevin Tsang – created in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity. Will your Neverland be home to pirates, mermaids and Lost Boys and Girls – or something entirely new? EVENT TIME

4–5pm

EVENT CODE

LF42

Draw with Rob: The Last Wolf Garden Theatre £9 Age – Whole Family

EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

4.30–5.30pm

LF91

Quietly... Quietly... You’ve Got This, QUACK! Little Pangolin Waterstones Children’s Bookshop, Festival Village £5 Age 2+ Three little ducklings sneak off to explore the farm while their mother is fast asleep. Uh-oh! Join Jonty Howley for a funfilled storytime and be ready to shout, “Quietly... Quietly... QUACK!” Then create a duck of your very own. What colours will yours be? EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

10–10.30am 2–2.30pm

LF58 LF72

Waterstones Children’s Bookshop, Festival Village £5 Age 2+ Curious little Kúye, . a baby pangolin, can’t wait to grow up. Join in his adventures in a story session with illustrator Shirley Hottier and decorate your very own pangolin with paper scales to take home. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

10–10.30am 2–2.30pm

LF60 LF74

Friday 16 October

Wednesday 14 October

Monday 12 October

Where is Pierre? Waterstones Children’s Bookshop, Festival Village £5 Age 1+

Biguana Puppet Storytime

The Great Green Island Waterstones Children’s Bookshop, Festival Village £5 Age 3+

It’s Bear’s birthday and he can’t wait to spend it with Pierre. But there’s a problem! Where is Pierre? Can you find him? Find out at our hide and seek storytelling session with author and illustrator Emma Clarke.

Meet adventurous Ali, a nature-loving girl with a mystery to solve, on an island that holds a big secret. Find out what the secret is with author and illustrator Becky Colvin and have fun creating your very own animal island.

EVENT TIME

10–10.30am 2–2.30pm

EVENT CODE

LF57 LF71

10–10.30am 2–2.30pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Join bestselling author and illustrator Rob Biddulph, creator of the hugely popular #DrawWithRob phenomenon, for an event packed with creativity and storytelling. Enjoy a live Draw With Rob session, discover how he brings his books to life, and hear about The Last Wolf, the thrilling first adventure in The Moonhaven Chronicles. Plus, meet Pip, the brave young goose from Rob’s new picture book who must find his own way South.

Thursday 15 October

MONDAY 12 – FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER

Tuesday 13 October

Waterstones Children’s Bookshop, Festival Village £5 Age 2+ Make your own puppet and join in the super silly storytime featuring your creation with the author and illustrator of Biguana, Michael Parkin. EVENT TIME

10–10.30am 2–2.30pm

EVENT CODE

LF61 LF75

EVENT CODE

LF59 LF73

SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Saturday 17 October

Gruffalo Granny Storytime

Little People, BIG DREAMS

The Hive £6 Age 2+

Garden Theatre £9 Age 6+

Journey into the deep dark wood with stellar storyteller, Liz Fost to meet the newest family member, Gruffalo Granny. This magical event features interactive storytelling alongside fun Gruffalo-themed activities. Meet the Gruffalo afterwards at our pop up bookshop. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

10–10.30am 11–11.30am

LF15 LF56

Ridiculous Raps and Rhymes with MC Grammar and Michael Rosen The Times and Sunday Times Forum £9 Age –Whole Family

Parabola Arts Centre £9 Age 8+

EVENT TIME

Travel back to 1587 with author M. G. Leonard and join Sim, Jeopardy and Nelson aboard Sir Francis Drake’s Elizabeth Bonaventure as it sails for the raid on Cádiz. Facing sea battles and a mysterious mercenary, they must find a way home and continue their search for Sim’s father. A fast-paced, fun-filled event with swashbuckling stories and fascinating history facts.

10–11am

EVENT TIME

With thanks to our event supporters

10–11am

EVENT TIME

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. Raps go head‑to‑head with rhymes in a lively celebration of poetry, performance and wordplay.

Time Key Adventures

EVENT CODE

LF87

Discover how Little People, BIG DREAMS creator Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara researches real-life heroes and turns their stories into inspiring picture books, through lively games, songs and quizzes. With live drawing from illustrator Mariajo Ilustrajo, music and plenty of fun surprises, learn how big dreams become brilliant stories. Hosted by actor and author, Emma Swan.

EVENT CODE

LF11

Kindly supported by Waterstones

10–11am

EVENT CODE

LF04

All our Family events are Relaxed – feel free to move around and enjoy the show however you’re most comfortable

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £20 Children under 12 must

be accompanied by a ticket holding adult. Everyone makes.

Greg James and Chris Smith need your help with an important mission. Ever heard of SANTA CLAUS, the kindly old man who delivers presents to kids each Christmas Eve? Could he actually be a cool, suave super-spy? Armed with exploding sprouts and smokegrenade crackers, will he be able to rescue the super-spies AND save Christmas? Come along to find out! EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

12–1pm

LF78

LF52

Lottie Brooks with Katie Kirby

LF53

Garden Theatre £9 Age 9+

Shaun the Sheep Age 7+

11am–12pm Gromit Age 7+

2–3pm Morph Age 7+

4–5pm

Join the rumpus of Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are, guided by musicians Caelia and Kieron from The Enchanted Cinema. Use your hands, voices and instruments to create music and sound effects, bringing the enchanting animated film to life.

The fantastically funny and 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. And so is this event! Celebrate the series and Lottie Brooks’s Twelve Disasters of Christmas, a brand-new short story collection filled with hilarious stories from the holiday season, written as diary entries from other characters. Hosted by Bex Lindsay.

EVENT TIME

LF54

With thanks to Jeremy Lewis for donating books to SEND Schools as part of our Literature for Schools programme. If you’d like to do the same, contact us at fundraising@ cheltenhamfestivals.org

Come Be a Wild Thing The Hive £9 Age 4+

1.30–2.30pm

EVENT CODE

LF30

2–3pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Join us for a fun and hands on model making session. Get creative with clay and take your make home with you. The session will be run by an expert model maker, who has worked on some of Aardman’s best loved productions. They have lots of great anecdotes and insights into the wonderful world of Aardman to share too!

Parabola Arts Centre £9 Age 9+

SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER

Image: Jenny Smith

Greg James and Chris Smith: Secret Santa

Aardman Model Making Workshops

On top of our fabulous ticketed book shows and workshops, enjoy free activities and performances plus buggy parks, picnic areas, a play area, water taps, a children’s bookshop and lots of book characters to meet!

EVENT CODE

LF12

SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER

Hidden World of Micro Life Pillar Room, Town Hall £9 Age 7+

The Magic Faraway Tree Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Parabola Arts Centre £9 Age 5+ Step into the magical world of Enid Blyton’s best-loved classic story The Magic Faraway Tree, where new lands appear at the top and anything can happen. When Joe, Beth and Frannie discover the Enchanted Wood near their new home, they climb the Faraway Tree and tumble into a world of ever-changing adventures. Meet the unforgettable Dame Washalot and a cast of curious characters in this lively, interactive storytelling adventure with Liz Fost. Expect mischief, surprises and plenty of magic along the way. EVENT TIME

2–3pm

EVENT CODE

LF16

Learn about the minuscule creatures all around us with expert author Jess French. From glass-shelled snails to extraordinary tardigrades, discover incredible miniature life. Explore the good and the not-so-good – from delicate seeds and pollen to stealthy viruses and bacteria living on, around and inside us. Prepare to be amazed as a hidden world of tiny surprises is revealed. EVENT TIME

2.30–3.30pm

EVENT CODE

LF79

Crime Solving Fun with Cruise Ship Kid Parabola Arts Centre £9 Age 7+ Award‑winning children’s author and Horrible Histories West End actor, Emma Swan grew up on cruise ships, ‘ship‑schooled’ while travelling the world. Discover life at sea through her Cruise Ship Kid series, with quizzes, games, songs and surprises – perhaps even a visit from the main character, Silver herself. It’s guaranteed to be ship‑shape, silly fun. What could possibly go wrong? EVENT TIME

4–5pm

Pay it Forward With every Waterstones purchase made on site, you can gift another book to a child in need in Gloucestershire. All books will be given to children in our community who might not otherwise have access to books.

Last year, you more than doubled the number of books donated compared to 2024... Let’s do it again!

EVENT CODE

LF19

SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER

Gruffalo Granny Storytime

Sunday 18 October

Dunkertons Taproom £6 Age 2+ Journey into the deep dark wood with stellar storyteller, Liz Fost to meet the newest family member, Gruffalo Granny. This magical event features interactive storytelling alongside fun Gruffalo-themed activities. Meet the Gruffalo afterwards at our pop up bookshop.

The Colour Monster Story and Play The Hive £6 Age 3+

EVENT TIME

Russell Kane’s Comedy Pet Show

EVENT CODE

10–10.30am

LF70

The Colour Monster Goes to School Story and Play

EVENT CODE

10–10.30am 11–11.30am

LF33 LF67

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £20 Age 7+ Ticket includes one adult, one child and a copy of the authors’ book.

Bring comic adventures to life with Tiny Hercules creators Jon Lock and Nich Angell. With practical tips on crafting characters and visual storytelling, take part in a draw‑along, sketch your own tiny heroes and build bold exciting worlds of legendary proportions. EVENT TIME

10–11am

EVENT CODE

LF02

Parabola Arts Centre £9 Age 4+

The Hive £6 Age 3+ Join storyteller Amber Ogunsanya-William as she brings Anna Llenas’s The Colour Monster Goes to School to life in this special storytelling event. Perfect for children starting or settling into school, this engaging event brings a touch of colourful magic to a big milestone, with gentle opportunities for play along the way. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

11–11.30am

LF47

Prepare for a raucous, highenergy time with comedian, Russell Kane, as he brings his love of pets – and his brandnew picture book – to life on stage. Brace yourself for the chaotic introduction of Brian the chihuahua to Terry, the family’s loyal Burmese cat. Packed with jokes, games, fun facts and outrageous stories of pet rivalry, this show promises laughter for all ages. No pets were harmed in the making of this unforgettable comedy adventure. EVENT TIME

10–11am

EVENT CODE

LF40

Cressida Cowell: Dragons and Magic

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Join storyteller Amber Ogunsanya‑William and the lovable Colour Monster for a gentle journey through feelings, celebrating 10 years of this modern classic by Anna Llenas. This lively, interactive session blends storytelling with playful moments, helping very young children explore and understand their emotions in a fun, accessible way.

Create a Tiny, Mighty Comic

Garden Theatre £9 Age 7+ Join Cressida Cowell, creator of the book and film sensation How to Train Your Dragon, for an event with live drawing, storytelling, Viking fun and even a dash of space travel. Prepare for laughs, thrills and heroic inspiration, with plenty of ideas to spark your own writing and drawing. EVENT TIME

10–11am

EVENT CODE

LF39

SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER

Super Mr Panda

Wriggly Worm Animation

Jodie Ounsley: Keep Smashing It

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel £20 Age 5+

Parabola Arts Centre £9 Age 8+

Ticket includes one adult, one child and a copy of the author’s book.

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Join author-illustrator Jess Mountfield (Jam is For Eating!) in a fun animation workshop. Working with their grownup, children will create a jamloving worm and bring it to life using a simple stop-motion app. Enjoy story time, get creative and share your mini masterpiece. A perfect playful introduction to animation. Parents and caregivers, please download the Stop Motion Studio App to your tablet or phone in advance (free) to take part. EVENT TIME

12–1pm 2–3pm

EVENT CODE

LF84 LF85

Athlete, trailblazer and Gladiators’ star, Fury, Jodie Ounsley shares inspiring stories and top tips to help you believe in yourself, overcome obstacles and smash through barriers. From playing professional rugby to becoming the first deaf Gladiator, Jodie reveals how resilience, courage and self-belief can help you achieve your goals. Discover why your differences are your superpowers and put your questions to Jodie in this uplifting, empowering event. Hosted by broadcaster Chris Smith. EVENT TIME

The Hive £9 Age 2+ Join author-illustrator Steve Antony for a laughter-filled event starring everyone’s favourite polite (and not-sopatient) bear, Mr Panda. Enjoy a vibrant read-along, discover the story behind Mr Panda’s creation and take part in a step-by-step drawalong to bring him to life yourself. Celebrate kindness, creativity and the muchloved series – with plenty of chances to join in and ask your own questions. EVENT TIME

EVENT CODE

12.15–1pm

LF81

EVENT CODE

12–1pm

LF65

I had fun today at the Festival. I joined in with the Dinosaur Explorers in Story Shack. I made fun free crafts in The Den to take home with me.

Garden Theatre £9 Age 5+

EVENT TIME

2–3pm

EVENT CODE

LF28

The Hive £9 Age 9+ Let the battle begin in this gaming-themed event exploring tech, AI and imagination. In Holomonsters, bedrooms become battle arenas as holographic creatures appear. Lee Newbery shares inspirations – from animals to Pokémon – for his action-packed new book, answers your questions, hosts a live card battle and helps you design your own Holomonster. EVENT TIME

2–3pm

I found all the answers to the Little People, Big Dreams® trail and won a prize.

EVENT CODE

LF46

Parabola Arts Centre £9 Age 8+ Join Michael Morpurgo and Chloe Dalton for a magical celebration of stories inspired by animals. From brave war horses to gentle wild hares, through history, imagination and real life experiences. Look more closely at the animals around us and think about what they can teach us. With readings and conversation, ask your questions and be inspired discover stories of your own. Hosted by Lucy Bannerman. EVENT TIME

2–3pm

EVENT CODE

LF66

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Andy Day – star of Andy’s Adventures and Andy and the Band – brings his signature humour and energy to a dinotastic event celebrating his new story books, Dino Racers, with its cast of kooky dino characters living and racing in the wondrous land of Rumble Ridge. Sing, draw and learn as Andy talks all things Dino Racers and introduces Dylan the Dino Boy Saves the Zoo.

Holomonsters The Game That Comes Alive

Real Animals, Remarkable Tales

SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER

Andy Day Dino Racers

I met an author in Waterstones Children’s Bookshop and asked them my questions. They even signed my book!

I had a photo with the Gruffalo. He was huge but very friendly. 93

DAY PLANNER FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER

Friday 9 October The Cunard Stage, Town Hall

Pillar Room, Town Hall

The Times and Sunday Times Forum

Garden Theatre

Lionel Shriver

Bloody Dangerous

Frozen Frontiers

Victoria Hislop

Middle Aged Women Get Sh*t Done

Meg Mason: Inklings Book Club

Old Stories, New Voices

Memoirs of Becoming

Regency Suite, Queens Hotel

10am

Gulliver’s Travels: 300 Years On

11am

12pm Robert Harris Totem: The Untold Story of Sculpture

1pm

2pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

The Hive

Patrick Radden Keefe: The Sunday Times Must Reads

3pm

Jan Morris: Voice of a Restless Century

Mary Beard

4pm

5pm

Agatha Christie: Queen of Crime

James Holland: The Visionaries

How to Start a Novel

Sir, The Year in Letters 6pm Ian Hislop: 40 Years On 7pm

Challenging Inequalities How to Save a Language

8pm

9pm

The Wittering Whitehalls

Russell T Davies

Adult event

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall 10am

Maggie Aderin: A Journey to the Beginning of Time

11am

Pillar Room, Town Hall

The Times and Sunday Times Forum

The Hive

That’s Not My... Storytime

Illustrating Harry Potter

Garden Theatre

Regency Suite, Parabola Arts Offsite Event Queens Centre

Tom Gates with Liz Pichon

Magical Map Making

That’s Not My... Storytime

Cheltenham Bookshop Crawl

12pm The Year in Books 1pm

Evan InvestiGators Gershkovich Comic Adventures How to Read a Latin Poem

2pm

The Booker Prize Shortlist

The Earth Transformed

Draw, Laugh, Go Wild in Grimwood

Dungeons and Dragons Made me Write This Seven Inventions That Changed the World

The World of Harriet Muncaster

Make Your Own Mystery

Cheltenham Bookshop Crawl

4pm

5pm

How to Agree to Disagree Rising Tides

Maggie O’Farrell

The Wundrous World of Nevermoor

The Big Comic Draw Off

Alexander How to Write McCall Smith a Memoir The Art Cure

6pm

7pm

Frida Kahlo

Madeline Cash and Stacey Yu: New Voices

Jeffrey Archer

Finding a Way to Be Heard

What Makes Britain British?

Ultimate Autumn Style

8pm

9pm

George Michael Changed My Life

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

3pm

The Times Debate: Brexit: Triumph or Tragedy?

Deep Into the Sixties

You Choose Party Time

DAY PLANNER SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER

Saturday 10 October

Drowning Valleys, Haunted Hills

The Great Dictator An Audience with Sandi Toksvig Adult event

Family event

YA event

DAY PLANNER SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER

Sunday 11 October The Cunard Stage, Town Hall 10am The Sunday Papers with Patrick Maguire 11am

Pillar Room, Town Hall

Mark Alleyne and Stephen Chalke

The Times and Sunday Times Forum Dogs and Us

The Hive

The Bunnies of Hoppity Hill

Kate Atkinson Lessons in Living Boldly

1pm

2pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Rethinking the Tudor 3pm World

Crookhaven School for Thieves

Regency Suite, Queens

Parabola Arts Centre

Dr Maggie’s Grand Tour of the Solar System

Make Your Own Mystery

Donut Squad Take Over the World

Matthew Rice: How to Look, Draw and Paint

Creating Magical Characters

Who is the Football GOAT?

Shifty McGifty PAWsome Fun

The Big Read Book Group

How to Draw LEGO® Stories

The Sunday Times Debate: Trump and the Midterms

Create Your Own Star Kitties

Mummies, Maps and Mischief with Adventuremice

4pm

Akane Araki: Picks From Japan

David Olusoga

Draw with Rob: The Last Wolf

6pm

7pm

Meera Syal Things We Found in the Ground

William Hague: My Desert Island Books

Imani Virginia Thompson Evans: The and Sunday Leodora Times Must Darlington Reads International

9pm

Elif Shafak

Bodies, Power and Choice

Bookshelf

8pm

Three Brothers in a Boat

Adult event

Dunkertons

Adventures in Neverland

Secrets and Lies Ian Rankin: 5pm The Heights

The Nook on Five

The Bunnies of Hoppity Hill

12pm The Times Live

Garden Theatre

Dinner with The Sunday Times Wine Club

Family event

The High/ Low Quiz

YA event

The The Pillar Times and Cunard Room, Sunday Stage, Town Hall Times Town Hall Forum

The Hive

Garden Theatre

Waterstones Regency Dunkertons The Nook Story Shack Children’s Suite, Taproom on Five Bookshop Queens

8am

Breakfast with The Times

9am

Where is Pierre?

10am Sarah Perry: Death of an Ordinary Man

11am

12pm

1pm

A Fatal Love Who Runs Britain?

2pm

How to Paint a Masterpiece

3pm

The Art of the Short Story Lucy Worsley: Queens and Kings

4pm

5pm

Simon Armitage & Elif Shafak: Gilgamesh

6pm

7pm

John Robins: Thirst

8pm

9pm

Rachael Stirling: Diana Rigg

Where is Pierre?

Rewild The Our Undersea Language War

Fiesta: A Journey Through Festivity

Ning Ken: Read The World Nigel Planer: Young Once

Childfree by Choice

Dieter Helm: Climate Realism

On the Future of Species

Hodder & Stoughton Proof Party

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Exploring Wild Britain

Try Metal Detecting: Guided Dig

DAY PLANNER MONDAY 12 OCTOBER

Monday 12 October

The Baillie Gifford Prize Milk Poetry Slam

From Burnout to Balance Remaking Everybody Suede Donna Loves Our Ashworth Dollars

Adult event

Family event

DAY PLANNER TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER

Tuesday 13 October The The Pillar Times and Cunard Room, Sunday Stage, Town Hall Times Town Hall Forum

The Hive

Garden Theatre

Waterstones Regency Dunkertons The Nook Story Shack Children’s Suite, Taproom on Five Bookshop Queens

8am

9am

Quietly... Quietly... Quack!

10am Hidden Lives: Women Artists, Love and Survival

11am

12pm

The News in Numbers

No Place Like Home

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

The Renoir Girls Cecile Pin

1pm

Dad’s Army 2pm The Art of Memoir

House of Boleyn Yann Martel

3pm

Declassified: The World of Secret Intelligence

4pm

5pm

Claude Monet: A Life in Letters

6pm

7pm

Common Ground

Anita Brookner: Art and Life Jeremy Hunt: Can We Be Rich Again?

Sebastian Faulks

Quietly... Quietly... Quack!

William Morris and His Gardens

Glorious Gloucestershire

Canongate Proof Party

Death by Noir The Story of a Season

Rethinking Wilderness

Once Upon a Time

Luke Wright

Fairy Tale Ceilidh

Translation Duel 8pm Weight Loss Jabs: What’s 9pm Next?

War in Words and Pictures

Knackered Mums Night Out

Adult event

Family event

The The Pillar Times and Cunard Room, Sunday Stage, Town Hall Times Town Hall Forum

The Hive

Garden Theatre

Waterstones Regency Dunkertons The Nook Story Shack Children’s Suite, Taproom on Five Bookshop Queens

8am

Breakfast with The Times

9am

The Great Green Island

10am

Rereading: The Bell Jar

11am

Rachel de Thample 12pm

Who’s the Favourite?

1pm

Bringing Up Britain 2pm

Red Carpet Legends

Constable’s Year

Last Night I Dreamt

3pm

Mary Berry

4pm

The Philippa Medieval Perry and Art of Living Richard Well Coles

1937: Degenerate 5pm Art

Addicted to Anxiety 6pm

7pm

Life On Your Own Terms

Joe Marler vs The World

Modern Love

The Great Green Island

The Book of Revelations

W&N Proof Party

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

PMQs Unpacked

DAY PLANNER WEDNESDAY 14 OCTOBER

Wednesday 14 October

Secrets of a Beauty Editor Margaret Hodge: King Battleaxe Arthur: A Retelling

Mantle Proof Party

8pm

9pm

Mel Giedroyc

Austentatious Big Book Quiz

Unstoppable Women in Sport

Pick Your Bottles

Adult event

Tales from the Trojan War

Family event

DAY PLANNER THURSDAY 15 OCTOBER

Thursday 15 October The The Pillar Times and Cunard Room, Sunday Stage, Town Hall Times Town Hall Forum

The Hive

Garden Theatre

Waterstones Regency Dunkertons The Nook Story Shack Children’s Suite, Taproom on Five Bookshop Queens

8am

Breakfast with The Times

9am

10am

The Bayeux Tapestry

11am

12pm

You’ve Got This, Little Pangolin

Helen Garner: Writing a Life

Coffee and the Art of Living

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Boom Time for Billionaires? Storytelling

in Medieval Art

1pm

Growing Old Disgracefully You’ve Got This, Little Pangolin

2pm AI and Us

3pm

Katherine Rundell: Miraculous Creatures

4pm

5pm

Antony Beevor: Rasputin

7pm

Cariad Lloyd and Sara Pascoe

How to Age Well

From Page to Feed

Marilyn Monroe: Myth and Reality

Jane Garvey & Fi Glover: Anneka Rice

Dean Atta and Kiran Millwood Hargrave

6pm

Unspoken Histories

Craig Revel Horwood

Bantam Proof Party

Fairy Tales for the Fearless

Scotland’s Island Whiskies Folk Tales from Japan

Adapting Austen

New Voices Spotlight

Patrick Ness: Chaos Walking

8pm

Barbara 9pm Kingsolver

Punk at 50

Fairy Fables for Curious Minds

A Century of Champion Hurdle Heroes

Up All Night: A Nightlife Cabaret

Adult event

100

Family event

YA event

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall

Pillar Room, Town Hall

The Times and Sunday Times Forum

The Hive

Garden Theatre

Victoria Restaurant, Queens Hotel

10am

Biguana Puppet Storytime

If This Be Magic

11am

12pm

Never Say War: Life Inside Russia

1pm

License to Thrill

Scene of the Crime

2pm

Braver New World

3pm

Biguana Puppet Storytime

Mark Billingham

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Weimar: Life on the Edge of Catastrophe

The Art of the English Garden

The Election Generals

4pm

5pm

Waterstones Children’s Bookshop

The Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970s

Louise Kennedy and Donal Ryan

Robin Niblett: After America

Beyond the Political Frame

Andrew Davies

Chris Brookmyre: Quite Ugly One Evening

T. S. Eliot Prize: Karen Solie 6pm Alexei Sayle

7pm

Susie Dent and Robert Peston

Tarot for Fiction Writers

Willie, Willie, Harry, Stee 8pm

9pm

Celia Imrie and Fidelis Morgan

Murder We Wrote

Hollie McNish

DAY PLANNER FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER

Friday 16 October

The Folk Soul of Britain

Pierce Brown

Adult event

Family event

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DAY PLANNER SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER

Saturday 17 October The Cunard Stage, Town Hall

Pillar Room, Town Hall

10am Matt Haig Turning to Crime

11am

12pm

Xand van Tulleken: Make Me Well The Lives of Objects

1pm

The Times and Sunday Times Forum MC Grammar and Michael Rosen

The Hive

Gruffalo Granny Storytime

Garden Theatre

Regency Suite, Queens

Little People, BIG DREAMS

Time Key Adventures

Gruffalo Granny Storytime

AARDMAN Model Making: Shaun the Sheep Greg James and Chris Smith: Secret Santa

Candice Carty-Williams

Ben Macintyre: Redwood

Parabola Arts Centre

Come Be a Wild Thing

2pm

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

Lottie Brooks with Katie Kirby Sophie Raworth: 3pm Running on Air

Hidden World of Micro Life

From Dragons to Dystopia: Fantasy Must-Reads Stephanie Sy-Quia: The Sunday Times Must Reads

The Magic Faraway Tree

AARDMAN Model Making: Morph

Crime Solving Fun with Cruise Ship Kid

The Next World War

4pm

Celebrating 5pm David Hockney

AARDMAN Model Making: Gromit

Richard Osman

Sajid Javid: A 1970s Childhood

6pm Make a Minifold Zine 7pm

Greg James Blur: The Early Years

Marina Hyde

Depraved: The Story of Dangerous Art

Nadia Murad: I Choose My Beginning

Alternative Book Club

8pm La Familia

9pm

Reece Shearsmith

The Art of Real Optimism

Nocturnes and Night Music

Ian Botham

Adult event

102

Family event

YA event

The Cunard Stage, Town Hall 10am

Monumental: Great Buildings of the World

11am

12pm Who Would Win the Literary Traitors? 1pm

Pillar Room, Town Hall

The Times and Sunday Times Forum America at 250

MJ Arlidge and Ruth Ware

Voices of Migration to Britain

Regency Suite, Queens

Parabola Dunkertons The Nook on Arts Centre Taproom Five

Cressida Cowell Dragons and Magic

Create a Tiny, Mighty Comic

Russell Kane’s Comedy Pet Show

Lee and Andrew Child

Caitlin Moran: How to be Hopeful

Gruffalo Granny Storytime

David Szalay

Wriggly Worm Animation Workshop

Jodie Ounsley Keep Smashing It

Holomonsters: The Game That Comes Alive

Andy Day Dino Racers

Wriggly Worm Animation Workshop

Real Animals, Remarkable Tales

Lifeboat: A Volunteer’s Story

Raise the Bar

How to Publish a Book

Clare and Michael Morpurgo

Super Mr Panda

Gruffalo Granny Storytime

4pm

5pm

Julian Lloyd Webber

Nao-cola Yamazaki: Picks from Japan

Katherine Ryan

Proof Party: Stories from WWII

6pm

Speaking of Grief 7pm

8pm

9pm

Andrew Hunter Murray

Leigh Lawson: Now and Then Celebrating Jilly Cooper

Jimmy Wales: The Seven Rules of Trust

Gloucestershire Writers’ Network

Willy Vlautin: The Left and the Lucky

Book online at cheltenhamfestivals.org/literature

3pm

Hernan Diaz

The Colour Monster

Garden Theatre

The Colour Monster Goes to School

2pm

Tony Adams: 1996

The Hive

DAY PLANNER SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER

Sunday 18 October

Chris Woakes

Adult event

Family event

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A big thank you

to our Partners and Supporters Title Partner

We are delighted to sponsor Cheltenham Literature Festival. We work collaboratively with the Festival team, curating a wonderful programme of events featuring the latest literary talent and many of our award-winning journalists The Times, The Sunday Times and Times Radio

Principal Partners We are proud to be Partners of this world-renowned literary festival, and to present the annual Cheltenham Literature Festival at Sea on board Queen Mary 2, bringing you the written word in all its wonderful variety Cunard

Major Partners

The Benefact Group is extremely proud to support Cheltenham Festivals and their inspiring work as a charity, making the arts accessible to all through this brilliant Literature Festival Benefact Group

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Festival Partners Our partnership with Cheltenham Festivals is all about bringing stories to life through audio. Together, we’ve created immersive listening experiences that invite audiences to discover the joy of BBC audiobooks in a new way, while celebrating listening as a powerful, accessible and engaging way to experience storytelling. BBC Audiobooks

The Waite Family

Global Partners Cheltenham Literature Festival plays a vital role in bringing Spanish literature to wider English-speaking audiences. Its collaboration with Instituto Cervantes fosters cultural exchange and dialogue and celebrates the richness and diversity of Spain’s literary landscape. Instituto Cervantes

In-Kind and Media Partners We are delighted to be the official legal partner of Cheltenham Festivals. Working together for over two decades has allowed us to be part of a vibrant celebration of culture, creativity and community that will continue to inspire future generations in Gloucestershire and beyond. Willans LLP Solicitors

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Get Closer to the Festivals with Patronage Join our valued Patron community and play a crucial role in advancing our artistic programmes and outreach projects, creating experiences that bring joy, spark curiosity, connect communities and inspire change. From £95 per month, Patronage covers all four Festivals.

You’ll also benefit from: ✓ Advanced booking and early programme announcements ✓A ccess to hospitality areas at our Festivals

I feel like an important part of the whole Festivals experience, including the huge amount of work done for schools, young people and the local community Keith Norton, Life Patron

✓ I nvitations to special events and parties

To find out more please email patrons@cheltenhamfestivals.org or visit cheltenhamfestivals.org/patrons As a UK taxpayer you can increase the value of your Patronage donation by 25% at no extra cost with Gift Aid.

Charity No. 251765

Our Patrons Life Patrons Dr Lynda Albertyn and Pat Gallasch Christopher Bence Mark and Sue Blanchfield Peter and Anne Bond Ruth and Jason Buttle Dominic and Jannene Collier Denise Collis Michael and Felicia Crystal Colin and Suzanne Doak Victoria Draper Miles and Monica Dunkley The Eaton Family Carole Epstein - her life and legacy Fingerhuth Leung Family Charles Fisher Lucy Freeman and Peter Hulett Mr and Mrs D M Gates David and John Hall Margaret Headen Diane and Mark Hill Jeremy and Germaine Hitchins Family Jonathan and Cassinha Hitchins Family Stephen and Tania Hitchins Family Jeff and Keren Iliffe David Jones and Amanda Payne Elizabeth and Michael Jones and Family Rick and Lisa Jones Steven and Linda Jones Hugh and Sue Koch Robert and Moira Leechman Hazel and Jeremy Lewis Eileen Lockwood The McKelvie Family Fiona McLeod The McWilliam family in loving memory of Ruth McWilliam Keith Norton and Piers Norton Joanna Morrison The Parker Family in loving memory of Edward and Gladys Mark and Elizabeth Philip-Sørensen Anthony and Rowenna Poeton Suzie Procter and Andy Leaper Carrie and Phil Rawlins Shelley Bence and Felix

Robson in memory of Jason Robson Karen Salters and Marcus Freer John and Susan Singer Jean Gouldsmith Skinner Andrew Smith Phil and Jennifer Stapleton Liz and Neil Stewart Sharon Studer and Graham Beckett Chris and Bridgette Sunman Fiona and David Symondson Michelle Thorley Luanne and Hodson Thornber The Walker Family Jacqueline Woof Lexi Young

Director’s Circle Patrons Chris Barratt and Carolyn Howard Heather Barrett The Causeway Trust Charlie Chan Richard Claridge Michael and Angela Cronk Carol and Adrian Farnell Ian and Denesha George Marc and Melanie Gillespie Jeremy and Alison Halliday Mark and Moira Hamlin Stephen Harper and Megan Broadley Sarah Harris and Gemma Irvine Jennifer Hayward and Richard Waite Stephen Hodge Andrew and Caroline Hope Sir Tom and Lady Marion Hunter David Jones Emma Logan and KB Beaton Andrew and Susanne Malim Spencer McPherson and Emily Poole The Miskin Family P. J. Moore Chris Morgan Giles Mountford Oldham Foundation Dr Julia Pearson and Dr Keith England John Phillips Andrew Pitt and Pamela Odih

Jan and Gill Rowe Khal and Zoe Rudin Andy and Ali Stalsberg Peter Stormonth Darling Charitable Trust Amanda and Paul Toner The Warner Family Steve and Helen Wheeler Stephen Wood Becky Wright

Gold Patrons Sigrid and Ben Atkinson Nicholas and Alixandra Avery Geraldine and Jim Beaty Gill and Steven Bond Stephen Bond and Sarah Russell Matthew and Emily Clayton John Cooper and Emma Bovill Ian Culverhouse Sally Dimmer Wallace and Morag Dobbin Peter and Sue Elliott Mark and Olpha Gibbon Louise Hewett D.L. Mike and Judie Hill Peter Horton Elizabeth Jacobs Bernard and Julie Kent Nathan and Jenny McLoughlin Sir Michael and Lady McWilliam Kim Moore Louise Morgan Paul and Kathy Mottershead John and Judith Murray Adrian and Cassandra Phillips Martin and Susan Pickard Brenda Salters and Harold Longmate Candy Shaw and William Barff Mat and Patsy Shilling Esther and Peter Smedvig Helen and Rowan Thomas Lindsey Troughton Tony and Victoria Wood

Silver Patrons We would also like to thank all our anonymous Patrons and Silver Patrons who are listed on the website: cheltenhamfestivals.org/ support-us/become-a-patron/ our-patrons

107

READ THE WORLD PROUD PARTNERS OF CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL

Celebrate stories over lunch or dinner during the Festival.

10% OFF DINING AT VICTORIA’S RESTAURANT

Terms & Conditions: Dining from Victoria’s menu only. Subject to availability. Present your Cheltenham Literature Festival brochure or festival ticket. 10% discount applied to the final bill. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Ask a member of the team for full details.

Special thanks The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival is presented by Cheltenham Festivals, a Charity and a company limited by guarantee.

Cheltenham Festivals Board of Trustees

People Matters

Mark Philip-Sorensen (Chair) Kiane Atanga Deborah Cogan Thacker Janey Dillon Adrian Farnell Beverley Grimster Simeon Quarrie Fiona Richards Lauren Stone Jonathan White Andrew Williams

Finance

Nikki Massey Ben Bates Russ Poole

Data Insights Richard Clements

Marketing and Box Office

Ian George Ali Mawle

Jade Beard Phil Brook Hannah Franklin Hannah McNally Grace Pascoe Ashleigh Poole Madelaine Richards Beth Skuse Grace Walsh Liz Wheatley

Senior Management Team

Learning and Participation

Julia Caskey

Pip Claridge Sarah Cooksley Emma Gardner Khazana McLaughlin Rose Wood

Company Secretary Matthew Clayton

Co-CEOs

Programming Chloe Barsby Olivia Chapman Loraine Evans Sophie Hoult Jo James Ellie Petrie Nicola Tuxworth Emma Whittle With many thanks to our programming partners, publishers and agents all of whom provide invaluable support.

Development Katherine Cox Fi Cruikshanks Alice Gilder Sally Gillespie Becky Harte Holly Haynes Abbie James Fiona Magowan Holly Parsons Katie Storrie Connor Teague Eleri Thomas

Operations and Production Christos Cailleux James Clay Bobby Crowhurst Emily Davis Adrian Hensley Melissa King Andrew Lansley Sophia McCrea Vicki Picken Niamh Roderick Tarren Production Rachel Wollaston

On the Rise Collective Ana Álvarez Calleja Fi Cruikshanks Carys Gerard Hope Norman Find out more at cheltenhamfestivals.org/otrc

Contact If you have any specific comments about the Festival, please email boxoffice@ cheltenhamfestivals.org Company No. 456573 Charity No. 251765 VAT Registration No. 100114013

Programme Artwork @ 2026 Cheltenham Festivals, Liz Wheatley

Festival Images Still Moving Media

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How to book To get the best out of the Festival we recommend you book in advance, however there will be availability for some events at the Box Office on site. During the Festival

Family Discount

You can purchase tickets in person at our Festival Box Office. Opening hours will be listed at cheltenham festivals.org/booking

Get 10% off when buying tickets to two or more family events. Valid on family events taking place on the same day. Excludes workshops and YA events.

Access Ticket Bookings Please book using our online form which will be available from 12 August at cheltenhamfestivals. org/access. Forms will be processed from 25 August in the order we receive them.

Refunds Tickets cannot be refunded, except in the case of a cancelled event. Tickets can be exchanged subject to a £3 fee (excluding Patrons and Member+) and availability. Please note, if there is a difference in price, ticket holders will not be refunded the difference and will have to pay any additional cost price. Sometimes alterations to the advertised details of an event or performance are made at short notice. If this happens there is no obligation to refund your money or exchange your seats.

Family Events For safety, children 11 years and under must be accompanied by a ticket holder aged 16 or over. Everyone over the age of 12 months requires a ticket, babies in arms (12 months and under) do not require a ticket unless stated.

Dining Event Booking Our dining seating plans are pre-allocated by the venue and tables may be shared. Please inform our Box Office about any dietary requirements or add these to the special requirements field when booking online.

Online cheltenhamfestivals.org/ whats-on/literature

By Telephone 01242 850270 For queries email boxoffice@cheltenhamfestivals.org

Booking Dates (all booking opens at 10am) Life Patrons

Monday 17 August

Director’s Circle Patrons Gold Patrons

Thursday 20 August Sunday 23 August

Silver Patrons

Tuesday 25 August

Members’ Priority booking

Thursday 27 August

18-30 Members

Wednesday 2 September

Public booking

Thursday 3 September

Get closer with Patronage To find out more please email patrons@cheltenhamfestivals.org

or visit cheltenhamfestivals.org/ patrons

Become a member To find out more and join today at cheltenhamfestivals.org/ membership For full ticketing terms and conditions please visit cheltenhamfestivals.org/ terms-and-conditions

Gift Vouchers Cheltenham Festivals Gift Vouchers may be purchased at our Box Office or online and may be redeemed against ticket or Membership purchases.

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Reading between the lines Whether it’s a gripping book or a growing business, understanding the bigger picture means looking beyond the obvious. For over 100 years, Hazlewoods, one of the largest independent accountants and business advisers in the South West and Wales, has helped businesses, individuals and families do exactly that. Combining deep expertise with a personal approach, we provide specialist insight across accounts, tax, audit, advisory, and financial planning, so no matter what page you’ve bookmarked, we’ll be ready to pick up where you left off.

FIND OUT MORE

Accountants and Business Advisers 01242 680000 |

hazlewoods.co.uk | @ hazlewoods

Cheltenham | Bristol | Cardiff

Hazlewoods is a trading name of Hazlewoods LLP. Hazlewoods LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales. Registered No. OC311817. A list of members’ names is open to inspection at our registered office. Registered Office: Staverton Court, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 0UX. Registered to carry on audit work in the UK and regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Your Visit and Access Entrance to the Festival Village is free; buy tickets for the individual events you wish to see.

Access Requirements Please book using our online form at cheltenhamfestivals. org/access or call the Box Office phone line from Tuesday 25 August, open Tuesdays to Fridays between 10am–4pm.

Relaxed Events All of our family events have a relaxed approach to noise and movement in the venue, and you are free to enter and exit throughout.

Sensory Aids and Calm Space A series of items to support the Festival experience for children and adults

with autism and sensory processing disorders are available to borrow at our on-site Box Office on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be a Calm Space on site for anyone who needs to use it.

Please Note Filming, audio recording and photography is not permitted during events. Visitors to the Festival may be filmed and/or photographed for future promotions. For more information on getting to the Festival or accessibility, visit cheltenhamfestivals.org/ your-visit

Getting to the Festival Cheltenham is easily accessible from all over the UK, by road and rail. Most events take place on the main Festival site, located in central Cheltenham on Montpellier Gardens (GL50 1UW).

Great Western Railway There are a number of ways to save on your journey with Great Western Railway, including railcards, Groupsave for groups of three to nine and you could save 40% off your next trip just by signing up to GWR Rewards. For more info and to book, head to GWR.com

Transport for Wales Transport for Wales offers plenty of travel deals, including 20% off for groups of three to nine, 25% off for groups of 10 or more and free travel for up to two children with a Family Ticket. For more information and to book, visit tfw.wales

Arle Court Transport Hub

We can't wait to see you!

Arle Court Transport Hub offers a convenient Park & Ride service just off the M5 and A40. Regular buses run between the hub and Cheltenham town centre. Find out more at gloucestershire.gov.uk/ arlecourt

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Index A

Abigail Avis 35 Abir Mukherjee 59 Adrian Woolfson 36 Akane Araki 29 Alan Johnson 67 Alev Scott 29 Alexander McCall Smith 21 Alexei Sayle 61 Amy Jeffs 48 Amy Lilwall 21 Amy Mae Baxter 67 77 Anam Zafar 43 Anand Menon 20 Andrew Child 72 Andrew Davies 63 Andrew Holgate 74 Andrew Hunter Murray 68 75 Andrew Riley 16 Andrew Wilson 56 Andrew Ziminski 71 Andy Day 79 Anjana Khatwa 42 Ann Morgan 17 24 29 30 35 36 39 42 Anna Murphy 23 27 Anneka Rice 55 Annie Lord 51 Anthony Joseph 73 Anthony McCoy 58 Anthony Seldon 33 Antony Beevor 56 Anya Burgon 54 Ash Bhardwaj 35 Ashley James 29 Asne Seierstad 59 Ava Glass 41 59 Ayesha Hazarika 16 23 46 Banu Mushtaq 35 Barbara Kingsolver 58 Barry Smith 53 Becky Colvin 87 Ben Macintyre 65 Ben Mercer 64 65 Ben Taylor 27 32 Bethia Hale 48 Bex Lindsay 89 Blake Morrison 41 Bobby Palmer 51 Bojan Pancevski 33 Boyd Hilton 17

Caelia Lunniss 89 Caitlin Moran 72 75 Cal Flyn 43 Caleb Femi 63 Candice Carty-Williams 63 65 Cariad Lloyd 49 52 57 Caroline Sanderson 42 Catherine Carr 47 Catherine Ostler 39 Cathy Rentzenbrink 14 75 Cecile Pin 39 Celia Imrie 64 Charles Cumming 59 Charlie Higson 59 63 Charlotte Higgins 66 Chloe Sayer 23 Chris Brookmyre 60 Chris Pitt 58 Chris Smith 89 92 Chris Whitaker 59 Chris Woakes 75 Christina Lamb 69 Clare Clark 14 15 24 27 30 53 56 59 60 71 74 Clare Foggett 60 Clare Morpurgo 73 Claudia MacGregor 33 Clementine Burnley 72 Coco Khan 17 23 29 56 58 Colin Bell 14 Colin Grant 72 Craig Revel Horwood 56 Daisy Dixon 70 Daisy Fancourt 21 Dan Keeling 51 Daniel Finkelstein 25 39 Daniel Hahn 30 35 39 41 51 55 57 59 77 Daniel Stables 35 Dave Rowntree 69 David Clarke 75 David Kynaston 19 David Larbi 70 David Olusoga 28 David Szalay 71 David Womersley 14 Daze Aghaji 32 33 41 44 64 Dean Atta 56 Deepika Chopra 70 Dieter Helm 35 Divya Maniar 58 Dominic Gregory 73 Dominic Treadwell-Collins 75 Don Paterson 61

Donal Ryan 61 Donna Ashworth 38 Ed Armston-Sheret 16 Ed Caesar 74 Eden Mckenzie-Goddard 58 Ela Lee 54 Eleanor Drage 54 Elif Shafak 31 35 Elisabeth Braw 33 Elizabeth Davies 55 Ellie Bruce 30 Ellie Kildunne 52 Eloise Kane 43 Emily Guerry 54 Emily Tarrant 75 Emma Dennis Edwards 63 Emma Duncan 25 Emma Forrest 24 Emma Swan 88 90 Erica Hesketh 57 Ewan Maclean 31 Eva Meijer 21 Evan Gershkovich 20 Faridah Àbiké-Íyimidé 28 76 Fearne Cotton 49 Federica Amati 45 Felicity Blunt 75 Fidelis Morgan 64 Fiona Cummins 64 Florence Gaub 67 Francesca Beauman 19 Frank Cottrell Boyce 47 Frank Gardner 59 Frankie Zwick 51 Fraser Nelson 20 Gabrielle Rifkind 21 Gaby Huddart 71 74 Gaby Wood 20 Gail Crowther 56 Gavin Francis Stoneystreet 41 Gavin Plumley 73 George Hoyle 82 85 Georgia Pactat 55 Gideon Rachman 67 Giles Milton 16 Giles Yeo 66 Graham Dickson 52 Greg James 69 89 Greg Wise 75 Gus Casely-Hayford 66 Guy Garvey 38 Guy Lavender 58 Gyles Brandreth 54

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Hannah Moore 44 45 52 55 58 Hannah Murray 17 Hannah Richell 75 Hannah White 33 Harriet Muncaster 83 Hashi Mohamed 16 Helen Bain 46 Helen Fielding 75 Helen Garner 53 Helen Taylor 36 Helene von Bismarck 21 Hermione Lee 42 Hernan Diaz 72 Hettie Judah 23 Hilary Whitehall 17 Hollie McNish 64 Hugo Rifkind 21 46 72 Ian Botham 70 Ian Buxton 56 Ian Hislop 16 Ian McCredie 65 Ian Rankin 28 31 Idrissa Simmonds-Nastili 51 Imani Thompson 29 Imogen Willetts 58 J.J. Arcanjo 86 Jack Edwards 16 James Ball 19 James Cahill 67 James Holland 14 15 James Mariott 56 James Prichard 14 James Walton 52 Jamie Bartlett 54 Jamie Maclean 31 Jane Harper 59 Jason Arday 23 Jason Burke 61 Jay Foreman 68 Jeffrey Archer 23 Jennie Godfrey 71 Jenny McCartney 25 Jenny Waldman 21 Jeremy Griffin 15 25 Jess Phillips 33 Jess Venner 17 Jill Dawson 63 Jimmy Wales 74 Jo Baring 14 23 Jo Beaden 48 Joanna Surowiec 72 Joe Marler 49 Johanna Thomas-Corr 14 58

116

John Bond 73 John Kampfner 60 John Patrick Green 82 84 John Pienaar 20 John Robb 58 John Robins 37 John Sergeant 60 JoJo Barr 39 Jon Lock 91 Jonah Freud 30 Jonty Howley 87 Joseph Jebelli 37 Julia Koppitz 73 Julia Wheeler 14 16 21 33 36 38 42 43 47 55 56 59 60 66 72 73 74 Julian Baggini 53 Julian Lloyd Webber 73 Julien MacDonald 47 Juliet Nicolson 47 Juliet Stevenson 57 Justin Webb 66, 71 Karen Serres 42 Karen Solie 61 Karthi Gnanasegaram 52 Kate Atkinson 25 Katherine Harvey 48 Katherine Rundell 55 Katherine Ryan 74 Kathy Lette 54 Katie Kennedy 17 Katie Kirby 89 Katie Tsang 86 Katja Hoyer 60 Katy Balls 27 Kavita Puri 28 29 Keith Jarrett 42 Kevin Dettmar 58 Kevin Tsang 86 Kiera Azar 67 77 Kieron Chissik 89 Kim Darroch 67 71 Kiran Millwood Hargrave 56 Kirsty Lang 36 Lachlan Goudie 33 Lachlan Maclean 31 Laura Ellen Anderson 84 86 Laura Enston 32 Laura Hackett 19 30 61 68 Laura Sampson 58 Laura Varnam 47 Lee Child 72 Leigh Lawson 74 Len Pennie 17

Leodora Darlington 29 Levi Pinfold 19 76 Lia Leendertz 44 Liam Higginson 24 Lily Silverton 37 Lionel Shriver 15 19 Lisa Jewell 65 Liv Little 47 Liz Earle 55 Liz Pichon 82 Llewelyn Morgan 20 Lloyd de Beer 53 Lou Beckett 44 Louisa Treger 32 Louise Doughty 41 Louise Kennedy 61 Lucas Maxwell 76 Lucie Gray 30 Lucy Caldwell 35 Lucy Fisher 25 32 33 Lucy Foley 14 Lucy Porter 17 Lucy Worsley 35 Luisa-Maria MacCormack 23 Luke Wright 45 Lydia Pang 17 M. G. Leonard 88 M. J. Arlidge 64 65 71 Madeline Cash 23 Maggie Aderin 19 85 Maggie O’Farrell 21 Mandy Robotham 75 Manveen Rana 61 Margaret Hodge 49 Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara 88 Mariajo Ilustrajo 88 Marianne Levy 48 Marina Hyde 69 Mark Alleyne 25 Mark Billingham 59 64 Mark Cooper Jones 68 Mark Cummings 42 Mark Dunton 41 Mark Horton 30 Mark Urban 27 32 Martha Deiros Collado 47 Martin Gayford 67 Mary Berry 48 Mary Wellesley 15 20 Mat Osman 38 Matt Haig 65 Matt Oldfield 85 Matthew Rice 27 60 Matthew Stadlen 69 70 72

Matthew Sweet 24 Matthew Worley 58 Maureen Onwunali 37 Max Whittle 37 49 75 Meera Syal 29 Meg Mason 16 Mel Giedroyc 48 51 Michael Morpurgo 73 93 Michael Parkin 87 Michael Spitzer 70 Michael Whitehall 17 Mick Herron 25 Mollie Hughes 27 Molly Morris 67 77 Monika Radojevic 70 Nadia Murad 69 Nadia Shireen 83 Nandini Das 28 Nao-cola Yamazaki 74 Natasha Carthew 42 Neil Codling 38 Niamh Connolly 35 Nich Angell 91 Nicholas Crane 32 Nick Purchase 39, 56 Nick Sharratt 82 Nicky Henderson 58 Nicky Morgan 60 Nicola Tuxworth 25 Nicola Wilding 42 Nigel Planer 36 Ning Ken 36 Oliver Bullough 38 Olly Smith 42 Owen O’Kane 49 Paddy O’Connell 60 Patrick Maguire 25 46 Patrick Ness 57 77 Patrick Radden Keefe 15 Paul Barrington-Chell 45 Paul Johnson 16 Paul de Zulueta 47 Paula Akpan 63 Penny Mordaunt 20 21 Penny Kiley 58 Peter Jones 48 Peter Stothard 20 Philip Hensher 56 Philip Reeve 86 Philippa Perry 47 48 Pierce Brown 64 Pip Stewart 27 Pippa Goodhart 82 Poorna Bell 29 36 47 49

O P

Prue Leith 54 Prue White 23 Rachael Stirling 38 Rachel de Thample 46 Rachel Joyce 57 Rachel Parris 52 Ragnar Jónasson 14 Ravi Mattu 36 Raymond Antrobus 23 Rebecca Birrell 39 Rebecca Jones 20 21 28 31 Rebecca Perry 58 Reece Shearsmith 70 Renny Gong 42 Richard Coles 48 Richard Osman 68 69 Rishi Persad 58 Robbie Millen 15 19 24 Robert Harris 14 Robert Peston 61 Robin Niblett 60 61 67 Rodge Glass 38 Roger Robinson 73 Roland Glasser 43 Rónán Hession 75 Ros Schwartz 42 Rosa Friend 42 Rosie Broadley 56 Rosie Goldsmith 21 30 70 74 Rosie Kelly Smith 44 Russell T Davies 17 Ruth Ware 71 S. F. Williamson 67 77 Sajid Javid 67 Samira Ahmed 19 Sandi Toksvig 24 Sara Mesa 70 Sara Pascoe 57 Sara Wheeler 15 16 Sarah Churchwell 71 Sarah Crossan 28 76 Sarah Elliott 27 Sarah Jossel 49 Sarah McIntyre 86 Sarah Perry 32 Sathnam Sanghera 24 Sebastian Faulks 44 Seth Burkett 85 Sharna Jackson 28 76 83 Sharon Blackie 45 Shirley Halse 17 44 68 Shirley Hottier 87 Simon Armitage 35 Simon Lister 25

Simon Parker 32 Simon Warrack 71 Sinclair McKay 41 Sophia Smith Galer 17 Sophia Money-Coutts 25 Sophie Power 52 Sophie Raworth 66 Stacey Yu 23 Stephanie Baker 71 Stephanie Howard-Smith 25 Stephanie Sy-Quia 68 Stephen Chalke 25 Stephen Twigge 41 Steve Antony 92 Susan Owens 47 Susan Tomes 70 Susie Dent 61 Susie Goldsborough 19 T. A. Barron 33 Teresa Krasny 42 Tiffany Murray 20 30 41 61 Tim Downie 64 Tim Hubbard 16 19 21 41 42 48 54 56 59 60 71 Toby Mundy 36 Tom Calver 39 Tom Whipple 35 36 Tony Adams 72 Tony Gallagher 20 Tony Parsons 25 Tracey Neale 57 Tracy Borman 41 Verity Babbs 68 Vicki Anstey 27 31 Vicky Pryce 20 Victoria Hislop 16 Victoria Redel 39 Virginia Evans 27 30 Will Gompertz 67 Will Harlow 55 Will Lyons 31 Will Smith 42 William Hague 30 Willy Vlautin 75 Xand van Tulleken 66

X Y Z

Yann Martel 41 Zakia Sewell 64

117

Prince of Wales Stadium

Leisure at Cheltenham

Pittville Play Area

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Festival Village University of Gloucestershire Hardwick Campus

Cheltenham St P auls Town Hall Rd The Cunard Stage, Pillar Room and Waterstones Bookshop GL50 1QA, S 0.5 miles windon Rd 2 Parabola Arts Centre GL50 3AA, 0.5 miles 3 Nook on Five GL50 1PZ, 0.3 miles

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Listening Lounge by BBC Audiobooks

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Festival Village

Festival Entrance

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6 Dunkertons Jess Taproom op A ve GL52 6UT, 3 miles

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Town Hall The Cunard Stage, Pillar Room and Waterstones Bookshop

Off-site Venues

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PITTVILLE PARK

Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham, GL50 1UL Site open from Friday 9 October, 10am

Free entry

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VIP Lounge in partnership with Cunard

The Times and Sunday Times Forum

Waterstones Bookshop

Feast Cafe Cabin 13-18 The Snug The Huddle Times Square

Garden Theatre

Quiet Space

Too Far Media

Bar

The Gardens Gallery

Tennis Courts

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VOICEBOX

119

Talks and Discussions • Creative Workshops • Free Activities • Book Signings

Save the Dates Cheltenham Jazz Festival 28 April–3 May 2027 Cheltenham Science Festival 8–13 June 2027

Produced by

Cheltenham Music Festival 9–17 July 2027 The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 8–17 October 2027