Cheltenham Literature Festival

The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2011 promises to be a world renowned ten-day celebration of writing, authors and reading once again this autumn.

Some of the book world’s biggest names will be at The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2011, when the town once again hosts more than 400 events during the ten-day literary celebration.

Started by friends in 1949, the world’s very first literature festival is now home to the greatest celebration of writing in the world, with tens of thousands of book lovers flocking to Gloucestershire annually.

From Friday 7 to Sunday 16 October 2011, Cheltenham Literature Festival will play host to topical talks, interviews, debates, readings and workshops all provided by literary legends, politicians, and stars of the stage and screen.

This year, Ian Hislop’s celebration of 50 years of Private Eye sold out within the first 24 hours of public booking. Joanna Lumley, Jeremy Paxman, Clive James, Frank Skinner, Terry Wogan and Peppa Pig have also been topping the must-see lists with festival fans.

And while there is an almost baffling range of events taking place across Cheltenham during the 2011 Literature Festival, some of SoGlos.com’s hand-picked highlights include:

Day one at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Friday 7 October 2011

Bushcraft expert, and everyone’s favourite big Boy Scout, Ray Mears, will be looking back over some of his most thrilling adventures on the opening evening of the Literature Festival. This event takes place at The Forum at 8.45pm, tickets cost £10.

Day two at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Saturday 8 October 2011

The Festival Book Group will be discussing Joseph Heller’s classic Catch 22 this year, with avid readers given the chance to share their opinions on the Bonne Maman Big Read. This event takes place at Hotel du Vin Cheltenham at 3pm, and is free of charge.

Comedian Frank Skinner will be covering topics as diverse as fat pop stars and the banking crisis in his return to Cheltenham. This event takes place at The Forum at 6.30pm, tickets cost £15.

Day three at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Sunday 9 October 2011

Popular celebrity Joanna Lumley will be discussing her acting career and charity campaigning in conjunction with the release of her new biography Absolutely: A Memoir. This event takes place at The Forum at 4pm, tickets cost £17.

Day four at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Monday 10 October 2011

Art fans can attend an interesting talk about The World’s Most Expensive Paintings with BBC documentary-maker Alastair Sooke. This event takes place at Imperial Square at 6.30pm, tickets cost £7.

Day five at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Tuesday 11 October 2011

The Gloucestershire Writers’ Network will be presenting a diverse mix of writing inspired by the theme of ‘Discovery’, with performance poet Mac McFadden. This event takes place at Montpellier Gardens at 7.30pm, and tickets cost £6.

Day six at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Wednesday 12 October 2011

The legendary Ranulph Fiennes, the first man to travel to both poles by land, will be taking a trip down memory lane and discussing his adventurous life. This event takes place at Montpellier Gardens at 2pm, and tickets cost £8.

Day seven at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Thursday 13 October 2011

Acclaimed food writer Simon Hopkinson will be hosting an intimate dinner party, complete with four courses, wine and a chance to put your questions to the Good Cook. This event takes place at The Montpellier Chapter at 7pm, and tickets cost £50.

Day eight at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Friday 14 October 2011

Chat show host and no stranger to controversy Jonathan Ross will be in Cheltenham to talk about the publishing of his own graphic novel Turf and his love of the genre. This event takes place at The Forum at 7pm, and tickets cost £12.

Day nine at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Saturday 15 October 2011

The ever popular Ben Fogle will be sharing his fascinating life, tales of Atlantic rowing, South Pole walking and new biography Accidental Adventurer, with a Cheltenham audience. This event takes place at The Forum at 8.45pm, and tickets cost £12.

Day ten at Cheltenham Literature Festival

Sunday 16 October 2011

The worlds of words and whisky combine when free samples of the fine single malt can be tasted alongside contemporary British writing. This event takes place at the Highland Park Marquee at 12.30pm, and is free of charge.