Literary Festival Confirms 2022 Venues Including Return to the Kenton
Henley Literary Festival returns this autumn in-person and online, with dates and venues now confirmed.
The 16th edition of the Festival will take place between 1-9 October in venues around town and online wherever you are. The Baillie Gifford Marquee, named after the Festival’s headline sponsor, returns for a second year as the largest venue, having hosted authors including Michael Morpurgo, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Tom Allen and Elizabeth Day in 2021. This comes as the investment management firm, who have been supporting the Festival since 2011, signed a new three-year deal as headline sponsor.
Henley Literary Festival director Harriet Reed-Ryan said, “Last year was our first time using a marquee as a major venue and it proved very popular as we made our return to in-person events. We have taken on board feedback and this year it will be an even better audience experience at Phyllis Court, with food, drink and improved lighting around the venue. And we are thrilled that Baillie Gifford are extending their fantastic support of the Festival for another three years.”
The Festival will be returning to the historic Kenton Theatre for the first time since 2018, having previously set attendance records with speakers including Roddy Doyle, Sue Perkins, John Sentamu, Jilly Cooper and Brian Blessed. Henley Town Hall will once again be hosting talks and discussions for adults and children.
After the fully online festival in 2020 and streaming from the Baillie Gifford Marquee last year, events will be online again this October. This has been extended so nearly all events at all venues will be streamed. This includes all of the schools events, which frequently sell out in person, being made available to watch free at any school in the country for the second year running, thanks to the support of Arts Council England.
