Cliveden Literary Festival
10 October to 11 October
About Cliveden Literary Festival
The acclaimed Cliveden Literary Festival returns to the historic Cliveden House for its ninth edition this October, bringing together leading authors, historians, journalists, politicians and public figures for a weekend of lively discussion, thought-provoking ideas and political debate.
Established in 2017, the sell-out festival has earned a reputation as one of the UK’s premier literary events. Following her visit in 2025, Her Majesty The Queen described it as “a perfection of a literary festival.”
The speaker line-up for 2026 will be announced over the coming months. Last year’s programme featured an impressive roster including Ian Rankin, Salman Rushdie, Richard E. Grant, Douglas Murray, Jung Chang, Niall Ferguson, Alain de Botton, Elif Shafak, Anthony Horowitz, Wes Streeting, William Boyd, Emily Maitlis and many more.
Run by a committee of authors and historians including Andrew Roberts, Natalie Livingstone, Catherine Ostler and Simon Sebag Montefiore, the festival draws on Cliveden House’s rich heritage as a literary salon once frequented by figures including Alexander Pope, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, George Bernard Shaw, Jonathan Swift and Winston Churchill.
Visitors can also explore the National Trust gardens at Cliveden House and enjoy scenic walks overlooking the River Thames during their visit.
Tickets are expected to go on sale in late July 2026, with the full programme to be announced beforehand.
Watch the highlights
Tickets
Please see important booking information below.
Booking information
2025 Ticket prices:
Weekend – £235.00 plus £8.63 booking fee
Saturday – £120.00 plus £7.69 booking fee
Sunday – £120.00 plus £7.69 booking fee
Student Ticket Weekend – £117.50 plus £7.54 booking fee
Student Ticket Saturday and Sunday – £60.00 plus £4.09 booking fee
Student Ticket Sunday – £60.00 plus £4.09 booking fee
Gallery
