Althorp Literary Festival

"The Althorp Literary Festival has become one of England's premier summer events, with an eclectic line-up of speakers stimulating and entertaining an appreciative and ever-growing audience. The buzz of these four days is electrifying, with authors frequently taking the time to write and say that Althorp is their favourite literary festival - this is pretty humbling, but also extremely encouraging. The aim always was for Althorp to be something special in the calendar." Charles, Ninth Earl Spencer.

The Althorp Literary Festival is a unique and intimate celebration of the written word, taking place against the backdrop of one of England’s most beautiful, private, historic houses. In 2016, the 13th Althorp Literary Festival features a good line-up of speakers, across the four days, with at least nine talks taking place each day to suit all interests. In addition to the main Festival programme there will be complimentary fringe events taking place which include live music, poetry and exhibitions. There will also be pop-up shops, a variety of food and drink choices and an on-site spa service.

Where? Althorp, Northampton , England NN7 4HQ

When? 30th June– Sunday 3rd July, 2016

Who? 2016 - Brian Blessed, Sara Pascoe (left), Bill Bryson, Damian Collins, Tom Bower, John Suchet, Conn Iggulden, Suzannah Lipscomb, A.C. Grayling, Simon Hughes, Paul Gambaccini, Henrietta Knight, Jack Cooke, The Duchess of Rutland, Father Michael Collins, Earl Spencer (right), Flora Fraser, Richard Eyre, Harry Parker, Justine Picardie, James Naughtie, Sir Richard Evans Christine L. Corton, Joan Bakewell, Mervyn King, Arne Maynard, David Lough, Loyd Grossman, Charles Fitzroy, Daisy Dunn, Anthony Horowitz, Ed Halliwell, Paula Byrne, Mark Price, Sir Jonathan Bates.

How much? Check official site

Festival Web? www.spencerofalthorp.com or telephone 01604 770107.

Twitter? @AlthorpLitFest

Facebook? Yes

Established? 2004

Previous Festivals?

Since birth in 2004 the Festival has been privileged to host over 300 novelists, historians, comedians, actors, politicians, sportsmen and television personalities, including Boris Johnson, Alastair Campbell, Jung Chang, Julian Fellowes, Clare Balding, Sebastian Faulks, Helen Fielding, Michael Palin, Darcey Bussell, Sir Tom Stoppard and Twiggy.

2015 Antony Beevor; Gyles Brandreth; Helen Castor; The Rev. Richard Coles; Bernard Cornwell;Julian Fellowes;Sir Ranulph Fiennes; Lady Antonia Fraser; Bryony Gordon; Bettany Hughes; Rachel and Stanley Johnson; Dan Jones; Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan; John Micklethwait; Jeremy Musson; General Lord (David) Richards; Andrew Roberts; William Sitwell; Charles Spencer; Alan Titchmarsh.

2014 - Kate Adie, Mark Billingham, Emma Bridgewater, Tim Butcher, M. J. Carter, Jung Chang, Jessie Childs, Julian Clary, Jane Gardam, Daisy Goodwin, Geordie Greig, Anthony & Ben Holden, Tristram Hunt, Kwasi Kwarteng, Boris Johnson, Ben Macintyre, Michael Meacher, Charles Moore, Jeremy Paxman, Francis Russell, Robert Sackville-West, Miranda Seymour, Charles Spencer, Edward St Aubyn, Sir Roy Strong, Deyan Sudjic and Kate Williams.

Prior: Bill Bryson, Alastair Campbell, Jung Chang, Julian Clary, Sebastian Faulks, Julian Fellowes, Helen Fielding, Michael Palin, David Starkey, and Twiggy.

Travel

Althorp is easily accessible by car or by train from London, Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Oxford.

Click here for details on how to get to Althorp.

Background

You'll 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.

Not a bad setting for a literary festival at all at all.......

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 I've been to and I'm sure it will carry on going from strength to strength.

General Sir Mike Jackson Everything was faultlessly organised, the atmosphere terrific