News - Books at the Barn

May 9, 2025

Rory Cellan-Jones, SOPHIE FROM ROMANIA, Feb 2025

With Sophie’s hundreds of thousands of followers on social media, it should have been no surprise that our book talk with Rory Cellan-Jones attracted visitors from as far away as Silverstone! It was a real treat to host Rory and to hear about how Sophie has won the hearts of both […]

May 21, 2024

Anna Murphy, Fashion Director of The Times, 2024

Anna Murphy, Fashion Director of The Times and author of DESTINATION FABULOUS, gave us wise and inspiring tips to making the most of life as a grown-up woman, from the practical to the existential. Over 100 women went out into the May evening with heads held high and some hot […]

May 21, 2024

Nicholas Shakespeare on Ian Fleming, 2024

So you thought you knew everything about James Bond and his creator? Nicholas Shakespeare, author of IAN FLEMING The Complete Man, recounted lots of delicious anecdotes about this enigmatic man, and revealed how there were as many Ian Flemings as there were actors to play James Bond. Utterly fascinating.

May 21, 2024

James Holland, The Battle for Italy 1943, 2023

Acclaimed and bestselling military historian James Holland gripped us with the the brutal story of the most pivotal campaign the Allies were to fight in World War 11.

May 21, 2024

Tracy Borman, Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces, 2023

Tracy Borman, The Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces, charmed us with with the story of Anne Boleyn’s relationship with, and influence over her daughter Elizabeth 1.

May 21, 2024

Wendy Joseph KC, Life, Love & Murder, 2023

The inside story of six murder trials was thrillingly told to a packed barn by Old Bailey judge, Wendy Joseph KC. She explored why we kill, what happens at trial and what we can learn about the society in which we live. We highly recommend her book, UNLAWFUL KILLINGS.

October 31, 2023

Jeremy Bowen on the Middle East, 2023

Jeremy Bowen came to talk to the Barn about his new book THE MODERN MIDDLE EAST. He showed his tremendous knowledge of the subject, having lived and worked there for many years working for the BBC as a foreign correspondent. Jeremy kindly rescheduled our Talk, having been grounded in the […]

October 31, 2023

Lady Carnarvon, owner of Highclere castle and author of THE PHAROAH AND THE EARL, 2023

Lady Carnarvon’s husband’s ancestor was the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, who discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb, with archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922. 2022 was the 100th anniversary of this extraordinary find, and Lady Carnarvon came to the barn to tell us about her book, published to coincide with the anniversary, that tells […]

September 9, 2023

Raynor Winn, author of THE SALT PATH, 2023

We were thrilled to welcome the bestselling legend that is Raynor Winn to the barn. Author of THE SALT PATH, THE WILD SILENCE and LANDLINES, she held the audience enthralled as she described her walking, and writing journey. Thank you Raynor for fitting us into your busy schedule!