A genuine Archbishop and a clutch of National Treasures are among the speakers at this year's Idler Festival.
Fenton House in Hampstead is once again the fancy venue for 2025's event, a relaxed-jolly of ideas, activities... and inactivities.
The annual event, which this year takes place on 11-13 July, features some serious big-name speakers, but in a studiously laid-back environment. Festival goers are invited to do "as much or as little as they please" at London's most relaxed festival.
You'll probably end up doing quite a lot, actually, because the speakers include Python-turned-traveller Michael Palin, star of stage and screen Emma Thompson, and the endlessly superb comedians Stewart Lee and Sally Phillips.
Some other confirmed highlights include:
- Arthur Smith’s Surreal Walk will explore the hitherto unknown connections between Fenton House, Leonard Cohen, William Shakespeare and Anthea Turner, as Arthur unfurls seemingly unbelievable historical facts which illuminate the meaning of humanity.
- Clare Pollard’s Poetry Salon inside Fenton House will feature fellow poets Oluwaseun Olayiwola and Dzifa Benson.
- John Lloyd CBE, who, despite producing The News Quiz, Not The Nine O’Clock News, Spitting Image, Blackadder and QI, considers himself a true idler, will share his idle wisdom.
- Fashion writer and curator NJ Stevenson will explore the Fashion Renegades of 1980s London
- Cheeky/smutty stand-up Alexandra Haddow, the monthly host of Dulwich Hamlet Comedy, will bring big laughs.
- Lawrence from Felt (and Denim, Go-Kart Mozart and Mozart Estate) will discuss his dreams of artistic immortality with Will Hodgkinson, the writer of hugely celebrated and garlanded recent biography, Street-Level Superstar: A Year with Lawrence.
- Mr.B The Gentleman Rhymer (‘Too funny and dope’ - Nile Rodgers) will bring the beats, rhymes and manners of chap-hop to the festival to mark the release of his 14th LP, B-Curious.
- Music from Boff Whalley, playwright and former Chumbawamba guitarist and songwriter.
Other names confirmed include Georgia Mann, Amy Matthews, Ben Moor, Daisy Dunn, and Miranda Sawyer.
The venue of Fenton House is a gorgeous 17th century mansion hidden away from the busier areas of Hampstead. The house and garden are overseen by the National Trust, but this weekend sees an Idler takeover.
And because this is The Idler, we can expect something a little more idiosyncratic than your common-or-garden festival. Side activities include "swing and Renaissance dancing, a walking book club, singing lessons, beekeeping and creative salons".
That's just the headline stuff, too. You'll find dozens of other diversions on the billing, yet to be announced. Not exactly idle, then.
The Idler Festival, Fenton House, Hampstead, 11-13 July 2025.
