Bestselling author William Boyd discusses the background to his latest novel The Predicament , the electrifying sequel to Gabriels Moon. It is a masterful tale of suspense, loyalty, love and the dark temptations of spy craft. The reluctant spy Gabriel Dax is lured once again into the shadowy world of espionage. Set in the 1960s, Dax travels from Guatemala to West Berlin encountering a chilling web of deceit involving the CIA, the Mafia and a plot to assassinate President Kennedy. William Boyd is the author of seventeen highly acclaimed novels including A Good Man in Africa, An Ice Cream War, Any Human Heart and Restless . Ticket with Book is available for this event, representing a 25% saving on the book price when ordered in advance. Ticket only is 18 and Ticket with Book is 33.00

Charlie Higson - author of the phenomenally successful Young Bond series - and Ian Fleming expert Simon Ward introduce a new collection of rarely seen work by Ian Fleming, creator of the iconic James Bond. Talk of the Devil brings together articles that span Flemings career as an author, covering his wartime experiences, reflections on crime and espionage and the process of writing his novels. Including personal correspondence with Raymond Chandler, the volume features recently rediscovered texts and two early works of fiction. Charlie Higson is a highly respected childrens author whose books include the Young Bond series. Simon Ward is the publishing director at Ian Fleming Publications. Ticket with Book is available for this event, representing a 25% saving on the book price when ordered in advance. Tickets only is 18.00 and Ticket with Book is 36.75.

Author Dolly Jones meets fellow parent, friend and supermodel David Gandy for a frank conversation about careers, children and parenthood. The dilemma of balancing an all-consuming job and her family prompted Dolly to write Leaving The Ladder Down a guide for women taking on the trials and absurdities of combining work and parenting. It interweaves advice from working parents in all fields with humour and flair, making it all seem possible. Dolly Jones worked extensively for Cond Nast publications, starting at British Vogue and later running its digital operations. David Gandy is a model, business,am and father of two and is one of the most successful male models of all time. Ticket with Book is available for this event, representing a 25% saving on the book price when ordered in advance. Ticket only is 18.00 and Ticket with Book is 30,75.

The one and only Gyles Brandreth talks about the extraordinary story of AA Milne, Christopher Robin and Winnie-the-Pooh. Gyles knew the real Christopher Robin and he draws on his personal insight to give an intimate and revealing account of AA Milne and how there was so much more to him than his creation of - possibly - the worlds most famous teddy bear. Somewhere, A Boy And A Bear is a fascinating exploration of fathers and sons, children and their parents and the nature of childhood itself. According to Gyles, Tigger loves the book. Eeyore isnt so sure. Ticket with Book is available for this event, representing a 25% saving on the book price when ordered in advance. Ticket only is 18.00 and Ticket with Book is 36.75.

Award-winning war reporter Christina Lamb discusses the Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina with Channel 4 News Presenter Matt Frei. Killed by a Russian missile attack in 2023, Victoria started reporting on the war after the invasion of Ukraine and compiled a chilling account of what war does to women. Her writing - Looking at Women, Looking at War was published posthumously. Christina shares her understanding of Victorias work and talks about her own research and stories of women in conflict recounted in her book Our Bodies, Their Battlefield. Matt Frei is the Europe Editor and presenter for Channel 4 News, he reports extensively on world issues and conflict. Ticket with Book is available for this event, representing a 25% saving on the book price when ordered in advance. Ticket only is 18.00 and Ticket with Victoria Amelina's book is 33.00 and Ticket with Christina Lamb''s book is 27.75. Ticket with both books is 42.75.

Former Chief Whip and MP Simon Hart made headlines with his political diaries earlier this year, a front-row account of one of the most turbulent times in British politics. In conversation with Channel 4 News Presenter Matt Frei, Simon recounts the dramas and the fallout - from Brexit negotiations and Liz Trusss premiership to seeing fifteen Conservative MPs fall by the wayside - including three resignations, two defections and ten suspensions. And not forgetting the famous 2.45am panic call from an MP Im stuck in a brothel in Bayswater. Matt Frei is the Europe Editor and presenter for Channel 4 News, known for his powerful news reporting and commentary. Ticket with Book is available for this event, representing a 25% saving on the book price when ordered in advance. Ticket only is 18.00 and Ticket with Book is 36.75.

Lord Heseltines new memoir looks forwards as much as backwards and sets out an urgent agenda for the policies that he believes are needed to unite the United Kingdom and restore hope. He meets with Lord Patten to review his time in politics over sixty years, reflecting on his achievements in government, the implications of the Westland helicopter affair and the establishment cover-up that caused him to resign from Thatchers cabinet. Most critically, Lord Heseltine shares his damning assessment of Brexit and its consequences. Lord Patten is a highly regarded parliamentarian and public servant who has represented the UK government both at home and overseas. Ticket with Book is available for this event, representing a 25% saving on the book price when ordered in advance. Ticket only is 20.00 and Ticket with Book is 38.75..

Aled Jones joins award-winning writer Rhidian Brook to talk about the inspiration and the sources for his Book of Blessings for 2026 , a guide for readers throughout the year. Aleds faith has always sustained him and his new anthology draws on spiritual wisdom over the ages and across diverse cultures, from ancient to modern times. It recognises that although everyday life is busy there is always value in taking time to pause and reflect. Aled was one of the most famous boy sopranos of his time, renowned for singing Walking in the Air from The Snowman. Rhidian Brook is an award-winning writer of fiction and drama and a regular contributor to Thought for the Day on BBC Radio 4. Ticket with Book is available for this event, representing a 25% saving on the book price when ordered in advance. Ticket only is 18.00 and Ticket with Book is 30.75.

Sir Trevor McDonald is one of Britains most celebrated broadcasters but hes also known for his love of cricket. In conversation with sports broadcaster Eleanor Oldroyd, he discusses his memoir On Cricket . It explores his childhood in the Caribbean and his life-long love of the sport that followed him no matter where in the world his career took him. He celebrates cricket as an engine of national identity and an essential feature of daily life and community. It is a sport that knows no boundaries and creates a common language between England, the West Indies and beyond. BBC broadcaster Eleanor Oldroyd is well-known for her excellent coverage of sporting events, from Test match cricket to the Olympic Games. Ticket with Book is available for this event, representing a 25% saving on the book price when ordered in advance. Ticket only is 18.00 and Ticket with Book is 26.25.

Award-winning nature writer Adam Nicolson joins best-selling author and Guardian columnist Stephen Moss, to discuss bird school and what the lives of ordinary birds can tell us about our relationship with the natural world. In Bird School , Adam describes his close observation over time of nightingales, cuckoos, ravens, robins, owls and warblers from his special hide-out amongst the nesting boxes and bird feeders. He watches where they nest, how they sing, mate and fight and what preys on them always aware that this is a time in which the natural world is under siege. Stephen Moss has written a number of books on birds including The Starling and Ten Birds That Changed the World . Ticket with Book is available for this event, representing a 25% saving on the book price when ordered in advance. Ticket only is 18.00 and Ticket with Book is 34.50

Architectural specialist Clive Aslet analyses the contribution of HM King Charles III, whilst the Prince of Wales, to the debate on architecture. In conversation with John Goodall, the architectural editor of Country Life, Clive discusses the many threads involved, from the infamous carbuncle speech in 1984 to The Kings support for projects like Dumfries House in East Ayrshire, noted as a beacon of social regeneration. It is the first time the Kings views have been considered collectively. Clive Aslet is the former editor of Country Life and is a visiting professor of Architecture at the University of Cambridge. He was recently awarded the Board of Directors Honor by the ICAA (Institute of Classical Architecture and Art). John Goodall is the architectural editor of Country Life, writing on historic buildings and interior house styles. Ticket with Book is available for this event, representing a 25% saving on the book price when ordered in advance. Ticket only is 18.00 and Ticket with Book is 33.00.

Former Supreme Court judge and bestselling author Lord Sumption provides an acute analysis of how and why democracy is in crisis around the globe today. In conversation with Simon Heffer, he evaluates the most critical debates the weakening of international law, the suppression of democracy in Hong Kong, human rights legislation and the freedom of speech. A highly regarded barrister and judge, Jonathan Sumption is also an historian and writer; his work includes the Sunday Times bestseller Trials of the State and his critically acclaimed five volume history, The Hundred Years War .. Simon Heffer is an historian, journalist and political commentator and has written widely on the social history of Britain. He is a Patron of Barnes BookFest Ticket with Book is available for this event, representing a 25% saving on the book price when ordered in advance. Ticket only is 18.00 and Ticket with Book is 32.75.

This Celebrity Concert celebrates the triumphant renovation of St Mary's beautiful Steinway, now restored to its full glory. Thanks to the generosity of the local community and music-lovers, the Steinway piano has been renovated by specialist Steinway craftsmen, and been transformed into an instrument of exceptional quality now regarded as one of the finest pianos in any parish church in the UK. To mark this inspiring achievement, internationally renowned French pianist Pascal Rog with Elena Font perform a one-off Celebrity Concert with a programme of French music for two and four hands in the intimate and atmospheric setting of St Marys Barnes, showcasing the pianos newly restored sound. Their programme includes Ravel Mirrors , Rhapsody Espagnol and Tombeau de Couperin. This is more than a renovation its a renewal of our musical heart, said Ben Markovic, Director of Music at St Marys Barnes. The Steinway has long been at the centre of our concerts, services, and festivals. Now, with its new lease of life, it will inspire future generations of music-making in our church and our community.

Named the patron saint of poetry (Carol Ann Duffy), Roger McGough takes to the stage with Little Machine, his excellent band of musicians, to share some of his most memorable and thought-provoking poems. For more than sixty years, Roger has delighted generations of readers with his irreverent and intimate poetry. Collected Poems is the definitive selection of his work, from the Mersey-soaked sound of his early days to meditations on fatherhood and family. His poetry runs the gamut from political comment to brilliant new writing on the environment and the world. Ticket with Book is available for this event, representing a 25% saving on the book price when ordered in advance. Ticket only is 20.00 and Ticket with Book is 38.75.

Sir Michael Morpurgo discusses Spring - The Story of a Season his first book of adult non-fiction in forty years with Jonathon Porritt. It is an enchanting memoir of how spring unfolds on his farm deep in rural Devon. He observes how the natural world shakes off a long winter and he delights in all of the moments of joy and discovery the season brings. Including new poems and personal reminiscences, the book shows Michael's love of the spring when the natural world shakes off the long winter, and his delight in all the moments of joy and discovery the season brings. Spring was an instant Sunday Times bestseller and nominated as A Best Book of 2025 by both The Times and The Guardian. Author Jonathon Porritt is known for his tireless campaigning for environmental sustainability and social justice. Ticket with Book is available for this event, representing a 25% saving on the book price when ordered in advance. Ticket only is 18.00 and Ticket with Book is 30.75. This event is in honour and in memory of Edwin Mullins.

The runway event of the year in SW13 combining the worlds of fashion and fundraising. Firmly established as a must-see event, the Barnes Charity Fashion Show provides a platform for our High Street retailers and talented local designers to showcase their latest collections whilst raising funds for deserving local charities within the local community. This year retailers include Ridley London, the WOS, Caroline Bloomfield, Dilli Grey, Clifford Studios and AJ Gretton Millinery. Entertainment is from Steve Wright of Candy Apple Blue and there is the opportunity for Pop-Up shopping both before the show and at the AfterParty with catering by &Feast. Hosted by broadcaster Vassos Alexander and style tips from renowned local stylist Abby Wood along with a host of amazing raffle prizes. The show is generously supported by Attic, Wilfords and Onside Law with the chosen charities being Fish Neighbourhood Care, Home Start and the Friends of St Mary's Barnes. Tickets are 35 with Premium tickets in the front two rows at 45. on sale from 1 September 2025.