LINE-UP ANNOUNCED FOR GUILDFORD BOOK FESTIVAL 2026
Literary lovers unite – organisers of the Guildford Book Festival announce the line-up for the 2026 event.
Taking place in venues across the Borough and beyond between 3 and 18 October – with some special events in September too – highlights of this year’s programme include: multi award-winning novelist Sebastian Faulks discussing his latest book, Farewell to Eden; Mary Portas OBE to talk about her revolutionary retail years, in conversation with former HELLO! Magazine Editor in Chief Rosie Nixon; renowned actor, comedian and author Caroline Quentin sharing how she has found calm in nature with gardening writer Kate Bradbury; scientist and BBC presenter Jim Al-Khalili exploring whether time is an illusion, and renowned novelist Elif Shafak in a special event ahead of the publication of her latest book, In One Brief Moment All Eternity. Elif will be speaking with writer Stephanie Merritt.
Space scientist and BBC Sky at Night presenter Dame Maggie Aderin reflects on her life under the night sky, and Johnny Ball, best known for his long career with the BBC, shares his previous life in comedy.
This year’s Readers’ Day brings together bestselling authors Alex Hay and Veronica Henry with acclaimed debut authors Charlotte Edwardes, Ellie Levenson and Rebecca Bainbridge.
And new this year is State of the World Day, a special event in partnership with the University of Surrey Politics and International Relations Department. Hosted by the University’s Dr Simon Curtis, the day brings together leading writers to discuss issues facing the world today. Business anthropologist Oliver Sweet considers the rules that make us; Simon Sebag Montefiore explores the influential history of the Middle East; political journalist Stephen Sackur shines a light on investigations that shook the world, and Anthony Seldon examines the impact of the Brexit referendum ten years on.
In Power Play, leading game industry expert George E. Osborn reveals how video games – the world’s largest entertainment medium – are being used to influence the real world around us.
Multi-million copy bestselling author Victoria Hislop will be in conversation with Festival Patron Elizabeth Buchan to discuss her latest novel, The Wine-Dark Sea, and the UK’s biggest-selling female historian, Alison Weir, returns to Guildford Book Festival with The Boleyn Secret.
Tudor Times editor Melita Thomas introduces some of the 1000 Tudor people who are the subjects of her new book, and Storyland author and illustrator Amy Jeffs retells the legend of King Arthur. Amy will be in conversation with poetry anthologist Ana Sampson.
Natural history is the focus of Jeremy Wade’s new book, River Monsters, sharing its name with Jeremy’s hugely popular ITV show; and in Elemental, Arthur Snell reveals how we can live on a warming planet and the choices we need to make to avert disaster.
Sports writer Carrie Dunn uncovers the untold stories of the pioneering British women who paved the way for women’s football as we know it today, and Will Harlow and Kate Rowe-Ham look at health and fitness in midlife and beyond.
Once again there’s a packed programme for younger readers, which this year includes bestselling and award-winning M.G. Leonard with her new action adventure book Attack of the Sea Dogs; much-loved author and illustrator Rob Biddulph with The Last Wolf – a thrilling, spine-tingling adventure; and Jack Meggitt-Phillips with his gleefully gothic and frightfully funny book Jekyll vs Hyde: The Potion of Doom.
Accompanying its programme of events for readers, each year Guildford Book Festival runs a Creative Writing Course, which once again this year will be led by Rachel Marsh.
Throughout the year Guildford Book Festival – a registered charity – takes authors and illustrators into local schools, to encourage young readers and to inspire a love of reading, writing and illustrating. In 2026, the Guildford Book Festival Schools Programme will reach over 5,000 students.
Guildford Book Festival Director, Alex Andrews, said: “We’re really looking forward to our 37th Festival. As well as our ever-popular Readers’ Day, we’re excited to introduce State of the World Day in partnership with the University of Surrey, which takes place at Guildford Baptist Church.”
“As we announce this year’s Festival, we also want to pay tribute to our founder, Pat Grayburn MBE DL, who sadly passed away in February. Pat’s tireless commitment to our charity was incredible, and she will be very much missed. In Guildford Book Festival and a number of other Surrey arts organisations, Pat leaves behind an extraordinary legacy.”
Alex added: “From fiction to football, fitness to fish, we have something for everyone! We look forward to welcoming readers to the Festival in October.”
Guildford Book Festival is grateful to its sponsors, who are Old Dungate Press, Martin Grant Land and Cressive DX.
The 2026 Guildford Book Festival takes place between 3 and 18 October 2026.
For further information and to book tickets: guildfordbookfestival.co.uk
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