2025 Festival Highlights

Thank you for joining us in 2025, it was an amazing festival and we had a wonderful time with all of our authors, interviewers and audiences. 

Save the dates now for Barnes BookFest 2026 – 25–27 September 2026 – and register below for updates and early booking.  We look forward to seeing you next year!

Joanne Harris -

Joanne Harris discusses Vianne - the long awaited prequel to Chocolat - at a special film and in-conversation event.

William Boyd -

William Boyd discusses his latest novel The Predicament, the electrifying sequel to Gabriel’s Moon.

Tama Matheson -

Tama Matheson discusses Nancy Wake - one of the world’s most intrepid spies during WWII - with historian Dr Kate Vigurs.

Charlie Higson -

With martinis shaken and not stirred, Charlie Higson and Simon Ward introduce a fascinating new collection of Ian Fleming’s writings.

Roger McGough -

Roger McGough delves into the best of his poems, accompanied by his remarkable band of musicians.

Gordon Corera -

A fascinating look at Vasili Mitrokhin one of the world’s most unlikely traitors and his defection from the Soviet Union.

Alex Edmans -

Why do smart people fall for bad information? Alex Edmans shows how bias clouds our thinking and how to see clearly again.

Adam Nicolson -

Adam Nicolson introduces us to ‘bird school’ and what our feathered friends can teach us about the natural world.

Clive Aslet -

Clive Aslet discusses HM King Charles III views on architecture - from carbuncles to Dumfries House - during his time as Prince of Wales.

Harriet Cullen -

Harriet Cullen discusses Lady Pamela and her remarkable life of passion, politics and power.

Dolly Jones with David Gandy -

A practical discussion for the next generation of working women on careers and family life given by Dolly Jones and David Gandy

Gyles Brandreth -

The wonderful Gyles Brandreth discusses AA Milne, Christopher Robin and possibly the world’s most famous teddy bear.

Rachel Joyce -

Rachel Joyce meets actress Niamh Cusack to discuss her latest novel, focusing on siblings, family tensions and the legacy of a dominant father.

Michael Morpurgo -

Sir Michael Morpurgo talks with Sir Jonathon Porritt about writing his personal memoir, inspired by the changing season of spring at his home in rural Devon.

Jonathan Sumption -

The former Supreme Court judge questions the current crisis in democracy and asks how and why did this happen?

Christina Lamb -

Christina Lamb talks to Matt Frei about the writer Victoria Amelina, her work as a war crimes researcher in Ukraine and her death in 2023.

Hallie Rubenhold -

Hallie Rubenhold analyses the infamous case of wife-murderer Dr Crippen and the women who brought him to trial.

Simon Hart -

Simon Hart talks to Matt Frei about political mayhem – from Brexit to brothels – in central government.

Mishal Husain -

Acclaimed broadcaster Mishal Husain traces her family history through empire, independence and the 1947 partition.

Aled Jones -

BBC Songs of Praise presenter Aled Jones discusses the inspiration for his new book of blessings.

Nussaibah Younis -

Debut author Dr Nussaibah Younis discusses her novel Fundamentally - shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2025.

Trevor McDonald -

Sir Trevor discusses his Caribbean childhood and his enduring passion for the game of cricket.

Michael Heseltine -

Lord Heseltine and Lord Patten discuss the politics of the past and the urgent agenda needed for the future.