Reading like a literary Who’s Who the majority of the UK’s most celebrated authors will descend on the New Forest this July joining some of the biggest names in comedy and a stellar music line up of guitar greats and exciting hotly tipped new musical
From bestsellers and book club favourites the literary line up includes critically acclaimed writers of thrillers, history, crime, art, poetry, history, memoir and nature. Together with prize winning children’s fiction writers such as Piers Torday and high profile journalists including Kirsty Lang this eccentric literary garden party promises something for all culturally minded kids and adults of all tastes and ages.
Literary bestsellers David Nicholls, author of ONE DAY and US, Jojo Moyes, author of ME BEFORE YOU and THE ONE PLUS ONE, SJ Watson author of phenomenom BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP on his latest novel SECOND LIFE, Matt Haig on his new book REASONS TO STAY ALIVE, John Niven and Patrick Gale.
Literary luminaries Esther Freud, Polly Samson and Sarah Hall
Ones to watch with exciting fiction debuts and follow ups such as Sydney Padua, Stephen Kelman, Alex Christoffi, Simon Wroe, Alex Preston, Antonia Hodgeson, and Caroline Sandon
On history and politics - Rick Stroud, Misha Glenny, Tom Holland, and Wall Street Journal correspondent Simon Nixon
Childrens and young adult fiction writers David Baddiel on his new book The Parent Agency, Nicky Singer, John Burningham, Tim Clare, Hugh Powell and Piers Torday
Memoir and biography - Damian Barr, Lynn Barber and Katherine Norbury
Gardens experts Wade Graham, Christopher Woodward and Susan Campbell
A cast of emerging artists bursting onto the UK music scene will rub shoulders with some of rock’s elder statesmen.
Rapper and Radio 1 favourite George the Poet brings his unique sparkle of street savvy verse, alongside the front men from Razorlight, Phil Manzanera from Roxy Music and John Illsley from Dire Straits on Saturday. Also performing are indie rock quintet Amber Run, whose debut album 5am went straight into the UK album chart this month. Other rising stars include 18 year old Irish singer songwriter Shaefri, Canadian rock pop band Roads and indie popsters Flyte for whom 2015 is shaping to be a big year following the release of their first album and Radio 1 playlisting.
The comedy line up includes stars of TV and radio Mark Watson, Lucy Porter, Richard Herring, Simon Evans and singer of chart topping punk band Carter USM JB (Jim Bob) Morrison.
Other curiosities to charm and delight include:
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Writing and poetry workshops, life drawing classes, storytelling for adults and children, bat walks, poetry workshops, puppet theatre making, mind reading, contortionists, and breathing lessons.
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An Alice in Wonderland Tea Party
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A ‘News and Views’ Breakfast Club for early birds hosted by BBC Radio 4 Front Row presenter Kirsty Lang
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Curious Opera on Thursday 16th July performing Puccini’s Tosca. Separately ticketed this ‘up close’ opera experience takes place at dining tables in Pylewell Park’s magnificent grounds.
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A pop up fine dining restaurant and a wide variety gourmet food to go a beautifully dressed cocktail bar from Fever-Tree as well as a tea room, juice bar and gelateria ice cream parlour.
The festival is also a rare chance to tour the private grounds of the house complete with 100 acres of pleasure gardens right on the Solent.
Tickets are available here (at £120 and family tickets at £300).
Published on 08 May 2015 by Ben Robinson
