An English football icon, a centenarian veteran of the Second World War, and a writer previously nominated for an Academy Award are among those scheduled to appear at a literary gathering in Oxfordshire this autumn.
The event marks the 20th anniversary of the Henley Literary Festival, which opens on October 2 and runs through October 11.
Among those confirmed are former Arsenal and England captain Tony Adams, wartime pilot Colin Bell, and novelist Maggie O’Farrell, joining previously revealed participants Julia Donaldson and Nigella Lawson.
Adams, nicknamed Mr Arsenal, spent the entirety of his two-decade professional career as a central defender with the North London club, accumulating 672 matches and securing four top-flight championships.
Harriet Reed, the festival’s director, commented that alongside reuniting with popular speakers from the past two decades, introducing first-time participants such as Caitlin Moran, Meera Syal, and Maggie O’Farrell after years of invitation attempts felt particularly rewarding, and noted that Adams’s appearance seemed fitting given his Arsenal connections.
O’Farrell, known for her novel Hamnet, will discuss her upcoming book Land, which releases the following month.
Flight Lieutenant Colin Bell, among the final surviving aviators who flew Mosquito aircraft during the war, will become the oldest presenter in the festival’s history as he recounts experiences from 50 operational sorties above Germany.
Adams, who skippered England during Euro 1996 and guided Arsenal to achievements both domestically and across Europe, will discuss that remarkable campaign when his side advanced to the semi-finals on home ground.
Additional speakers include Dame Meera Syal, who will talk about her autobiography, and popular author Caitlin Moran, promoting her latest work How To Be Hopeful.
Also featured are acclaimed musician and ensemble leader Julian Lloyd Webber and Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu, who will examine the significance of chemistry in daily existence.
Royal historian Robert Hardman will offer perspectives on Queen Elizabeth II during her centennial year, while Jane Riordan will explore the world of Winnie the Pooh prior to the beloved character’s 100th anniversary in 2026.
The programme encompasses approximately 140 activities, comprising discussions, performances, practical sessions, and lectures suitable for all age groups, offered both at the venue and through digital platforms.
Priority booking opens to Gold and Platinum supporters on July 3, standard supporters on July 7, and the public on July 13.
The festival originated in 2007 as a modest weekend programme and has since developed into one of Britain’s most prominent literary events.
Now in its 20th year, the gathering spans ten days across multiple locations in the town, presenting roughly 140 annual events alongside a rotating selection of additional programmes held throughout the year.