The Wimbledon BookFest will be returning to Wimbledon Common between Saturday, October 2 and Sunday, October 11, bringing with it over 60 different speakers, artists, writers and performers, as well as visitor numbers likely to rival the 13,000 who came last year.
With plenty to enthrall, entertain and educate adults and children alike, here’s our run down of the highlights for adults and children over the weeks.
To book tickets, or for more information, visit wimbledonbookfest.org
TOP 10 THINGS FOR ADULTS
1.Sebastian Faulks
When: Friday 2 October, 7.30pm
Where: Big Tent on the Common.
Tickets: £20.
Sebastian Faulks, one of Britain’s best-loved novelists and broadcasters, will be opening the festival. In conversation with Hermione Eyre, he will be discussing, love, life and his latest novel Where My Heart Used to Beat
2. Louis De Bernieres
When: Sunday 11 October, 8pm.
Where: Big Tent on the Common.
Tickets: £15
Award winning author of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Louis de Bernieres will be closing the festival on Sunday night with his insights into epic romance, heroism and history. He will be conversation with travel writer Jennifer Cox.
3.Vince Cable
When: Wednesday 7 October, 8.30pm.
Where: Big Tent on the Common.
Tickets: £15.
Former MP and Business Secretary Vince Cable will discuss his forthcoming book After the Storm, as well as what it was like to be a key figure in the Coalition government.
4.Alexandra Shulman
When: Thursday 8 October, 7.30pm
Where: Cannizaro House.
Tickets: £17.50
Enjoy a free class of prosecco while the editor of Vogue magazine talks to novelist Penny Vincenzi about their shared love of haute couture and writing
5.Ben Fogle
When: Sunday 4 October, 12 noon
Where: Big Tent on the Common.
Tickets: £15
TV favourite Ben Fogle will be talking about his globetrotting adventures, including racing in the Antarctic, as well as his new book for dog lovers Labrador.
6. The Good Psychopath
When: Monday 5 October, 7pm
Where: Big Tent on the Common.
Tickets: £15.
Andy McNab and Dr Kevin Dutton will be discussing their new book, The Good Psychopath, and how becoming a ruthless and courageous ‘good psychopath’ may be the key to getting the most out of life.
7. Seann Walsh
When: Saturday 10 October, 8pm
Where: Big Tent on the Common.
Tickets: £20.
After star turns on Live at the Apollo and Mock the Week, the hilarious Seann Walsh will be headlining the comedy on Wimbledon Common, and is bound to make you laugh.
8.101 Gins to Try Before you Die
When: Friday 2 October, 7.45pm
Where: William Morris Tent.
Tickets: £15
Treat yourself on a Friday night, and join best selling drinks writer Ian Buxton for a tasting session and good humoured discussion of both the history of gin and its innovative reinvention.
9. The Bletchley Girls
When: Saturday 3 October, 2.15pm
Where: William Morris Tent.
Tickets: £12.50.
Learn about 15 of the women who worked at Bletchley Park during the Second World War with award winning historian, broadcaster and presenter of Coast, Tessa Dunlop, who will be joined by Bletchley girl Ruth Bourne.
10. Literary Bike Ride
When: Sunday 4 October, 8.30-11.30 am.
Where: Meet at Festival Site.
Tickets: £15
Bring a helmet and take a leisurely ride around the literary hotspots of Wimbledon, including plenty of stops for tea, with Cycho Cycle.
TOP 5 THINGS FOR CHILDREN
1. Michael Rosen
When: Friday 9 October, 4.30pm
Where: Big Tent on the Common.
Tickets: £10/£7.50
Much loved children’s author Michael Rosen will be returning to read and discuss his favourite stories, including We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and Don’t Put the Mustard in the Custard.
2. Alice in Wonderland
When: Saturday 10 October, 11:45am
Where: William Morris Tent.
Tickets: £10.
Celebrate the 150th anniversary of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland with joining a story-trail adventure through Wonderland, as well as plenty of craft activities.
3.Wombles Storytelling and Sing-a-Long
When: Sunday 4 October, 10-10:45am.
Where: Big Tent on the Common.
Tickets: £7.50
Wimbledon’s very own Wombles will be returning to the Book Fest with musician and writer Julian Butler, for a storytelling and sing-a-long treat. Tickets required for children aged 12 months and over
4. Harry Potter
When: Sunday 11 October, 12pm
Where: Big Tent on the Common.
Tickets: £10/£7.50
Recreate magic of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, as the ‘Professor of Potter’ and his assistant bring the characters, creatures, spells and adventures of Hogwarts to Wimbledon.
5.Shaun the Sheep Model Making
When: Saturday 3 October, 10.15am and 12.15pm
Where: William Morris Tent.
Tickets: £10
Aardman model makers will be holding a clay-building workshop for children to make their own Shaun the Sheep, which they can also learn to animate. Suitable for ages 5+
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here