Althorp Literary Festival 2011
What? Youll be listening to talks in the exquisite surroundings of the 500-year-old family home of the Spencers while sampling estate game and local delicacies.
Althorp has been home to the Spencer family for 500 years and the introduction of a Festival of Literature is entirely in keeping with the history and heritage of the house. George John, Second Earl Spencer built up a library which was one of the finest private collections of books in Europe. Although not simply a classical collection, it was extraordinarily rare and included Papal Letters of Indulgence from 1452, the first edition of the ‘Mazarin’ Bible of 1455, the Mentz Psalter of 1457 and 57 original Caxton Bibles. The 
Spencers’ collection of portraits is particularly fine and as a record of a family and of English portraiture, it is outstanding. The roll-call of names - Rubens, Van Dyck, Reynolds, Gainsborough – is familiar to everyone.
Who? 2011, Twiggy, David Starkey (left), Michael Dobbs, Peter Snow, Arabella Weir, Gordon Campbell, Kay Burley & more
Where? Althorp, Northampton , England | AA Route Planner
When? June 10-12,- 2011
How much? Tickets for the 2011 check official site
Festival Web? www.althorp.com or telephone 01604 770107.
Twitter? Not as May 2011
Facebook? Not as May 2011
2011 Programme 8th Althorp Literary Festival
| Time | Session | Author |
|---|---|---|
| 10.30am - 11.30am | Larkin' Around | The Antonius Players |
| 10.30am - 11.30am | Made in Britain | Evan Davis |
| 12.00pm - 1.00pm | The Real Me Is Thin | Arabella Weir |
| 12.00pm - 1.00pm | Althorp: A Personal View | Charles Spencer |
| 2.00pm - 3.00pm | A Diary of The Lady | Rachel Johnson |
| 2.00pm - 3.00pm | Bible: The Story of the King James Version, 1611-2011 | Gordon Campbell |
| 3.30pm - 4.30pm | The Murder of the Romanovs at Ekaterinburg | Helen Rappaport |
| 3.30pm - 4.30pm | A Roll in the Hay | The Antonius Players |
Saturday 11th June 2011
| Time | Session | Author |
|---|---|---|
| 10.30am - 11.30am | The Making of the British Army | Allan Mallinson |
| 10.30am - 11.30am | A Wand'ring Minstrel, I | The Antonius Players |
| 12.00pm - 1.00pm | Behind Closed Doors | Hugo Vickers |
| 12.00pm - 1.00pm | In Shackleton's Footsteps | Henry Worsley |
| 2.00pm - 3.00pm | Begat: The King James Bible and the English Language | David Crystal |
| 2.00pm - 3.00pm | The Death of Eli Gold | David Baddiel |
| 3.30pm - 4.30pm | Before I Forget | Fiona Phillips |
| 3.30pm - 4.30pm | A One-Stop Literary Festival | Craig Brown |
| 5.00pm - 6.00pm | To War with Wellington | Peter Snow |
| 5.00pm - 6.00pm | First Ladies | Kay Burley |
| 6.30pm - 7.30pm | A Step Out of Time | Sir Timothy Ackroyd |
| 8.00pm - 10.00pm | The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain | The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain |
Sunday 12th June 2011
| Time | Session | Author |
|---|---|---|
| 10.30am - 11.30am | Old Enemies | Michael Dobbs |
| 10.30am - 11.30am | Orchards in the Oasis | Josceline Dimbleby |
| 12.00pm - 1.00pm | Leading from the Front | General Lord Dannatt |
| 12.00pm - 1.00pm | What’s Up Doc? | Dr Hilary Jones |
| 2.00pm - 3.00pm | Marriage & The Monarchy | Dr David Starkey |
| 2.00pm - 3.00pm | A Step Out of Time | Sir Timothy Ackroyd |
| 3.30pm - 4.30pm | Jerusalem | Simon Sebag-Montefiore |
| 3.30pm - 4.30pm | A Life in Photographs | Twiggy |
| 5.00pm - 6.30pm | A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Adult Ticket) | The Lord Chamberlain’s Men |
| 5.00pm - 7.00pm | A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Childrens Ticket) | The Lord Chamberlain’s Me |
What the authors say?
Anthony Horowitz I've been to literary festivals all over the world but none of them had the intimacy and the enthusiasm of Althorp.
Saul David My only worry is that all future literary festivals will seem a disappointment after yours.
Alison Weir I speak from experience, having been doing these events for the best part of twenty years. The festival is clearly going from strength to strength and is becoming one of the chief highlights of the literary year.
Patrick Bishop Althorp was the best literary festival Ive been to and Im sure it will carry on going from strength to strength.
General Sir Mike Jackson Everything was faultlessly organised, the atmosphere terrific
We apprecicate you insights into literary festivals that you might have attended or are hoping to get too, or your views on award winning books.
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