Monday, 06 October 2025

Traveller back at festival

MICHAEL Palin, Zeinab Badawi and Dawn O’Porter are among the latest names to be announced as speakers at this year’s Henley Literary Festival.

Palin, the travel writer and broadcasterwho appeared at the festival in 2012, returns to discuss his latest volume of diaries.

Former BBC News presenter Badawi will talk about her book, An African History of Africa: From
the Dawn of Humanity to Independence.

Author and broadcaster O’Porter’s latest novel, Honeybee, is a story about womanhood, winging it and female friendships.

Journalist Helen Chandler-Wilde, who grew up in Henley, will be in town to discuss her book, Lost and found: 9 life-changing lessons about stuff… from someone who lost everything.

The 18th annual festival will feature more than 100 conversations, talks, performances and workshops.

Poets include Roger McGough and Pam Ayres as well as festival veteran Gyles Brandreth.

Bella Mackie, Danny Wallace, Sarah Raven, Anton du Beke, Damien Lewis and Anthony Wootton will talk about subjects ranging from gardening and military history to dance, sport and comedy.

Children’s authors include bestsellers Sue Hendra (Supertato), Julia Donaldson (The Gruffalo) and Jonnie Peacock (You Can Do Anything!).

The festival will take place from Saturday, September 28 to Sunday, October 6. For more information, visit
www.henleyliterary
festival.co.uk

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