Appledore Book Festival reveals full list of headliners for 2024

Tenor Russell Watson, tennis coach Judy Murray and TV historian Kate Williams have been unveiled to complete the line-up for Appledore Book Festival this September.

The latest headliners announced have now filled the roster of national and local authors who will be appearing at the festival between Friday, September 13 and Sunday, September 22.

Judy Murray, former Scottish international tennis player and national coach, will be appearing to speak about her new novel and raising two Grand Slam winning sons, Andy and Jamie.

Needing little introduction, Russell Watson, one of Britain’s finest tenors, will talk about his extraordinary life story and TV historian Kate Williams will discuss the secrets and scandals behind the nation’s royal palaces.

Above: Carol Klein. Credit: Jonathan Buckley

They will be joined by a host of others for the festival, including Carol Klein, Celia Imrie, Dr Benji Waterhouse, Nigel Planer, Jeremy Vine, Philippa Langley, Reverend Richard Coles, Rick Stein, Robert Harris, Veronica Henry, Wendy Joseph and many more.

Above: The Reverend Richard Coles. Credit: Natalie Dawkins

Appledore Book Festival is a charity founded in 2006 by Nick Arnold, author of the Horrible Science series, in a bid to raise money to save Appledore Library.

It has continued to grow and today attracts world-class authors, speakers and performers, who will be appearing at venues around Appledore throughout the festival.

Festival director Jane Beaton said she was delighted to be sharing the full line-up, adding: “Alongside the main speakers, we have an array of other events and activities running throughout the festival, including art and poetry workshops, food evenings, wine tastings, music and guided walks.

“By popular demand we also have the return of our free family day for younger festival goers.”

Above: Rick Stein. Credit: James Murphy

Details of the full line-up of authors and events can be found at www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk as well as tickets, with priority booking for festival friends opening on July 20 and general sales on July 27 – there is still time to become a ‘friend’.