Hay Festival 2008

Where better to attend a literary festival than a town whose streets are literally lined with books? And the lineup for this year's Hay Festival looks stronger than ever.

The 21st Hay Festival, sponsored by The Guardian, will run from Thursday 22nd May to Sunday 1st June, and will squeeze 477 events into its 11-day run.

Highlights look set to include appearances from literary giants Salman Rushdie, Julian Barnes, Ian McEwan, Martin Amis, Will Self, Hanif Kureshi, Louis de Bernieres and Fay Weldon. Poetry fans will be well-served with readings from Lemn Sissay, Roger McGough and Brian Patten.

If your tastes tend towards non-fiction, Jimmy Carter will be talking about conflict resolution and human rights, and there will be contributions from gardener Monty Don, musician Jools Holland and car botherer Jeremy Clarkson.

Parents will be pleased to know there will be plenty going on to keep the kids entertained, with talks by Judith Kerr, author of The Tiger who Came to Tea, and Julia Donaldson, creator of The Gruffalo.

Full details available from the Hay website.