Autumn Readers' Day

Spend the day in the company of some of Britain’s best-loved authors as they share their stories, experiences, inspirations and latest projects. West Horsley Place is a medieval manor house set in 400 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside. It provides the perfect setting for a day of ideas, conversation and connection.

Hosted by Patrica Nicol.

A regular book reviewer for The Sunday Times and author of the acclaimed non-fiction book Sucking Eggs: What Your Wartime Granny Could Teach You About Diet, Thrift and Going Green, she is also a familiar face at Readers' Day. Originally from Scotland and now based in south-east London, she studied in Bramley and Godalming, making it a particular pleasure to return to Surrey each year to welcome fellow book lovers.

Rebecca Bainbridge – The Pool Party

New to the village of Fletching, Kate befriends glamorous Melody, whose seemingly perfect life hides dark secrets. Their
friendship deepens until a devastating accident at Melody’s summer party threatens to expose buried truths, forcing both women to confront what they’ve been hiding — and who is truly to blame.

Alex Hay – The Midnight Guests

Diana Gold opens the luxurious Hotel Artemis, welcoming royalty, film stars and millionaires. But two dangerous midnight guests from her past arrive, and a murder soon shatters the glittering opening night. Over the next 24 hours, staff and guests uncover the hotel's deadly secrets — and why they are really there..

Vernoica Henry – The Invitation

London, 1953. Clementine’s romance with Alfie Arbutus draws her to Foxwood Manor, where Stella and Elizabeth are each burdened by love, loss and family secrets. As a glittering Snow Ball approaches, past and present collide, forcing the Arbutus family to confront heartbreak, hidden truths and the possibility of healing.

Charlotte Edwardes – Trouble Was

In 1976, nine-year-old Frank moves with his family to North Devon, where hostility, buried secrets and a drifting mother force him to grow up fast. As summer intensifies, long-hidden truths erupt, testing love, resilience and imagination in this moving coming-of-age story of betrayal, survival and family.

Ellie Levenson - Room 706

Nobody knows Kate is in Room 706. Trapped in a hotel under siege while secretly meeting her lover, she faces impossible choices as her hidden affair threatens to destroy everything. If she survives, she must confront the consequences of the decisions that brought her there in this gripping, suspenseful debut thriller.

This event is kindly sponsored by Margot and John Walshe.

L U N C H

A lunch option is available for the day for £6.00. This needs to be purchased as add-ons to the ticket and includes a sandwich, piece of fruit, packet of crisps and a mini tray bake.

Please note that the deadline for pre-ordering lunch will be 11 September 2026.

← All Events