Episodes
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Jay Rayner Nights Out at Home// 2025 Stanfords Travel Writers Festival
For twenty-five years, award-winning restaurant critic Jay Rayner has been uncovering the very best of the nation’s eateries, from high end restaurants to high street grills. In his new book, Nights Out at Home, in a love letter to his favourite eating houses, Jay serves up recipes inspired by…
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Travis Elborough Writers’ Journeys// 2025 Stanfords Travel Writers Festival
Some truly remarkable works of literature have been inspired by writers spending time travelling. From epic road trips and arduous treks into remote territories, to cultural tours and sojourns in the finest hotels, author Travis Elborough explores 35 influential journeys taken by literary greats...
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Trevor McDonald’s World of Cricket// 2025 Stanfords Travel Writers Festival
Sir Trevor McDonald is one of Britain’s most celebrated broadcasters and his devotion for cricket is almost as well-known as his legendary professional achievements. He talks to Simon Lister about his love of the game, inspired by his Caribbean childhood, and the communities around the world that...
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Louise Minchin on Travel// 2025 Stanfords Travel Writers Festival
Journalist and broadcaster Louise Minchin has travelled a lot for work, but also while researching her non-fiction title Fearless, which detailed the lives of 17 extraordinary women, in places as diverse as Argentina, Finland and Alcatraz. Talking about this, and her new thriller, Isolation…
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Petroc Trelawny’s Cornwall// 2025 Stanfords Travel Writers Festival
Petroc Trelawny grew up on the Lizard Peninsula in the far south of Cornwall. His new book is part history, part memoir and a deeply felt exploration of Cornwall. Talking to Ann Morgan, he takes us by road, rail and foot, visiting old mine workings, ancient churches, sites where new technology…
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Why We Travel with Phoebe Smith & Ash Bhardwaj// 2025 Stanfords Travel Writers Festival
What are the benefits of travelling, and why do so many of us feel compelled to do it? Ash Bhardwaj, author of Why We Travel, is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster, whose work explores the intersection of travel, current affairs and human behaviour. Phoebe Smith is an award-winning...
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Ray Mears: British Woodland// 2025 Stanfords Travel Writers Festival
During his decades long career as a bushcraft and survival expert, one thing always shines through about Ray Mears – his love of the nature and landscape within which he finds himself. His latest book, British Woodland, takes us to the heart of something we can all enjoy, and he talks to Phoebe...
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Hilary Bradt in Conversation with Simon Calder// 2025 Stanfords Travel Writers Festival
Taking the Risk is Hilary Bradt’s engaging, insightful, amusing and sometimes alarming memoir about serendipitous adventures in travel and publishing. A travel industry trail-blazer who co-founded Bradt Guides, Hilary Bradt talks to travel journalist Simon Calder about 50 years of escapades,...
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‘In the Footsteps of Du Fu’ with Michael Wood: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2024
From Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show in London’s Olympia, The Stanfords Travel Writers Festival welcomes the internationally acclaimed historian, film-maker and broadcaster, and the author of several bestselling books, Michael Wood. He talks to Ann Morgan about his new book ‘In the...
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John Blashford-Snell in Conversation: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2024
From Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show in London’s Olympia, The Stanfords Travel Writers Festival welcomes Colonel John Blashford-Snell, one of the country’s most eminent and seasoned explorers. His name is known globally for his daring adventures and intrepid journeys of discovery. Now…
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‘The Conspiracy Tourist’ with Dom Joly: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2024
From Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show in London’s Olympia, The Stanfords Travel Writers Festival welcomes the multi-award-winning comedian, travel writer and columnist Dom Joly. He speaks to Antony Garvey about his latest book ‘The Conspiracy Tourist’. Conspiracy theories used to be fun, a...
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Victoria Hislop in Conversation: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival
From Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show in London’s Olympia, The Stanfords Travel Writers Festival welcomes the international bestselling author Victoria Hislop. Victoria divides her time between England and Greece and in 2020, was granted honorary citizenship by the President. She talks to...
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‘Walking the Bones of Britain’ with Christopher Somerville
From Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show in London’s Olympia, The Stanfords Travel Writers Festival welcomes Christopher Somerville, author and walking correspondent for The Times. He talks to author Ben Aitken about his newest book Walking the Bones of Britain. Travelling a thousand miles…
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‘8,000 Miles in the Andes by Bamboo Bike’ with Kate Rawles: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2024
From Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show in London’s Olympia, The Stanfords Travel Writers Festival welcomes author and eco adventurer Kate Rawles. She talks to author Ben Aitken about cycling the length of the Andes on an eccentric bicycle she built herself. Pedalling hard for thirteen…
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Michel Roux in Conversation: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2024
From Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show in London’s Olympia, The Stanfords Travel Writers Festival welcomes one of the world’s most respected chefs, Michel Roux. He talks to food writer and presenter Jo Pratt about some of his favourite dishes and cuisines, discovered on his culinary travels...
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‘One Medicine’ with Dr Matt Morgan: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2024
From Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show in London’s Olympia, The Stanfords Travel Writers Festival welcomes author and intensive care doctor Matt Morgan. He talks to Antony Garvey about his exhilarating journey across continents exploring his work on both the intensive care unit and the…
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‘Pages From My Passport’ with Amelia Dalton: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2024
From Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show in London’s Olympia, The Stanfords Travel Writers Festival welcomes author and ‘travel tailor’ Amelia Dalton. She talks to Ann Morgan about her book Pages From My Passport and her many adventures. Amelia Dalton, fresh from touring the Scottish islands,...
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‘High Caucasus’ with Tom Parfitt: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2024
From Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show in London’s Olympia, The Stanfords Travel Writers Festival welcomes The Times Russia correspondent Tom Parfitt. He talks to Ann Morgan about his Edward Stanford Travel Book of the Year shortlisted book ‘High Caucasus’ and discusses his deep ties to the...
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‘The Making of the Middle East’ with Barnaby Rogerson: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2024
From Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show in London’s Olympia, The Stanfords Travel Writers Festival welcomes author and publisher Barnaby Rogerson. He talks to Clare Clark about his book The House Divided: Sunni, Shia and the Making of the Middle East. At the heart of the Middle East, with…
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‘The Story of Scandinavia’ with Stein Ringen: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2024
From Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show in London’s Olympia, The Stanfords Travel Writers Festival welcomes Norwegian sociologist and political scientist Stein Ringen. He talks to Ann Morgan about his book The Story of Scandinavia. In The Story of Scandinavia, Stein Ringen chronicles more…
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Launch of Journeys
Online event to celebrate the Launch of John Murray Journeys On July 11th 2022 we teamed up with John Murray Press for an online event celebrating the republication of three titles for their Journeys series: In a Land Far from Home by Syed Mujtaba Ali, introduced by Taran Khan; Desert Soul by...
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The Book of Reykjavik: A City in Short Fiction
West Camel presents the online launch of The Book of Reykjavik, A City in Short Fiction. Recorded on the 1st September 2021. Part of Comma’s popular ‘Reading the City’ series, this beautiful collection includes ten stories, translated into English for the first time capturing the essence of...
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Nick Hunt: Outlandish: Pilgrimages of the imagination
Acclaimed travel writer Nick Hunt joins Peter from Stanfords Bristol to talk about his latest book and the Stanfords Book of the Month for June 2021, Outlandish: Walking Europe’s Unlikely Landscapes. Arctic tundra in Scotland, jungle in Poland, desert in Spain and steppe in Hungary: places acting...
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Michael Portillo in Conversation: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
Back by popular demand following his 2018 appearance, Michael Portillo returns to the Stanfords Travel Writers Festival. Since leaving politics we have watched him travel all around the world in his television documentaries. Championing the Bradshaw’s Handbook, Michael has looked in depth at the...
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Dr Jon Copley: Exploring the Ocean Depths: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
The wellbeing of our oceans has never been more important. But to truly understand the vital role they play, we need to first understand how the oceans work, how we explore them and learn about the mysteries they hold, and what our effect is on them. Combining untold history of ocean exploration...
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Ben Aitken: An Unlikely Year in Poland: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
In 2016 Ben Aitken moved to Poland to work in a fish and chip shop. He booked the cheapest flight he could find, to a place he had never heard of – Poznan. Between peeling potatoes and boning fish, Ben spent time on the road travelling the country and learning about its history. Talking to …...
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Lucy Richards: Where to Go When: Stanfords Travel Writing Festival 2020
Dreaming of your next adventure? Whether you’re looking for festivals and culture, an unforgettable journey, natural wonders, rest and relaxation, or active adventures, Lucy Richards talks to Paul Blezard about the most amazing places in the world and the best time of year to visit them. Discover...
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John Hudson: How to Survive: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
John Hudson talks to Paul Blezard about how strategies for life or death situations can help us excel in our everyday lives. Through gripping first-hand accounts of survival stories from across the extreme world you can develop the skills that allow you to make better decisions under pressure,...
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Sara Wheeler: Travels Through Russia: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
At a time of deteriorating relations between Russia and the West, Sara Wheeler talks to Julia Wheeler about a Russia not in the news – a Russia of humanity and daily struggles. Taking us across eight time zones, from rinsed north-western beetroot fields and far-eastern Arctic tundra to the…
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Dom Joly: A Short Walk Across the Lebanon: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
Dom Joly talks to Julia Wheeler about his book The Hezbollah Hiking Club, in which he writes about hiking across Lebanon, from the Israeli border in the south, along the spine of the country’s mountain range, all the way to the Syrian border in the north. It is a big-hearted, witty and…
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Philip Parker: History of Maps in Britain: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
From Mappa Mundi to modern election maps, the United Kingdom has evolved rapidly, along with the ways in which it has been mapped. During this time, cartography has not only kept pace with these changes, but has often driven them. In his beautiful book, Philip Parker talks to Julia Wheeler about...
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Travelling with Children: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
The prospect of travelling with children can be daunting: long flights, unfamiliar food, the absence of the home comforts and helpful grandparents. But more parents are venturing away from all-inclusive resorts with kids’ club entertainment on tap in favour of immersive real-world experiences. In...
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Matt Dickinson: The Death Zone: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
Matt Dickinson talks to Phoebe Smith about his first-hand experience of living through one of the most devastating storms ever to hit Mount Everest, a storm in which many lost their lives. Tackling issues at the very heart of mountaineering, Matt tells an extraordinary story of human triumph…
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Develop your Travel Writing: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
Develop your travel writing with a panel of top writers and editors. Learn how to write travel articles and pitch to editors, set up and monetise a travel blog, or just write about your travels for your own pleasure. With Jonathan Lorie (author of The Travel Writer’s Way and director of…
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Jung Chang: Big Sister, Little Sister, Red Sister: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
Jung Chang reveals the lives of three extraordinary women who helped shape twentieth-century China. As the country battled through a hundred years of wars, revolutions and seismic transformations, the three Soong sisters from Shanghai were at the centre of power, and each of them left an…
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David Barrie: Exploring the Wonders of Animal Navigation: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
David Barrie talks to Paul Blezard about the navigational tools that animals (including humans) use, whether it is celestial, solar, magnetic fields, landmarks or even scent, and the difference between map and non- map-based navigation. He also presents the evidence of map-like representations of...
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Walking in the Footsteps Of… : Stanfords Travel Writers Festival
How often have you read a travel book and thought about how you would love to recreate that journey? Well these three authors did just that and even turned those journeys into books of their own. Join us as Paul Blezard talks to Jacki Hill-Murphy who has followed the footsteps of a number of…
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Ned Palmer: A Cheesemonger’s Tour of the British Isles: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
Cheesemonger Ned Palmer takes us on a delicious journey across Britain and Ireland and through time to uncover the histories of beloved old favourites like Cheddar and Wensleydale and fresh innovations like the Irish Cashel Blue or the rambunctious Renegade Monk. Along the way we learn the craft...
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Adrian Hayes: Trauma, Tragedy and Triumph on K2: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
Adrian Hayes talks to Paul Blezard about his attempts to climb K2 – the notorious second highest mountain in the world – in 2013 and again in 2014. During these expeditions his thoughts often turned to his guilt and struggles as a father amid tumultuous personal circumstances; the profound events...
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William Atkins: Journeys in Desert Places: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
Winner of the Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year at the 2019 Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards, William Atkins talks to Julia Wheeler about his experiences in eight deserts: the Empty Quarter of Oman, the Gobi Desert and Taklamakan deserts of northwest China, the Great Victoria Desert of...
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Christopher Somerville: The Private Life of Britain’s Cathedrals: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
Christopher Somerville talks to Paul Blezard, as he takes us behind the scenes of Britain’s Cathedrals, delving deep into the private life and the uncertain future of these ever-voyaging Ships of Heaven. Nowadays these great stone ships seem solid and unshakeable, but they are leaky old vessels…
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Diana Darke: The Last Sanctuary in Aleppo: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
Diana Darke talks to Julia Wheeler about her new book, The Last Sanctuary in Aleppo. It’s an incredible true story, seeing war-torn Aleppo from the view of an ambulance driver who cares for the people and animals caught in the crossfire and goes on, amidst the chaos and ruin, to create a cat...
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Ainsley Harriott: Tales from a Caribbean Kitchen: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
In his recent ITV series, Ainsley’s Caribbean Kitchen, Ainsley Harriott went back to his roots to uncover the best-kept secrets and simple dishes of Caribbean home cooking. Join us as he talks to Julia Wheeler about the diverse culture and the rich food heritage of these much-loved islands. His...
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Tim Marshall: The Inside Story of Europe’s Last War: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
The shattering of Yugoslavia in the 1990s showed that, after nearly 50 years of peace, war could return to Europe. It came to its bloody conclusion in Kosovo in 1999. Tim Marshall, then diplomatic editor at Sky News, was on the ground covering the Kosovo War. He gives an illuminating account of…
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Tony Juniper: Rainforest: Dispatches from Earth’s Most Vital Frontlines: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
Rainforests are the lungs of our planet – regulators of the earth’s temperature and weather. We’ve all heard of their systematic destruction but do we know the implications arising from their continuous decline? Tony Juniper talks about his experience at the frontline of the fight to save the...
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Japan 2020: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2020
Kicking off the 2020 Stanfords Travel Writers Festival at Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show, we welcome our team of experts on Japan. Find out just why you should be visiting there in 2020. From history, art and cultural quirks, to how to plan your trip, Robin Moul (Be More Japan), Matt...
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Levison Wood in Conversation with Phoebe Smith: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2019
Levison Wood talks to Phoebe Smith about his life as an adventurer and his latest book Arabia. Following in the footsteps of great explorers such as Lawrence of Arabia and Wilfred Thesiger, Arabia is Levison’s account of his most complex expedition yet: circumnavigating the Arabian Peninsula....
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Around the World in 80 Trains: Stanfords Travel Writing Festival 2019
When Monisha Rajesh announced plans to circumnavigate the globe in eighty train journeys, she was met with wide-eyed disbelief. But it wasn’t long before she was carefully plotting a route that would cover 45,000 miles, almost twice the circumference of the earth, coasting along the world’s most...
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Sir Chris Bonington in Conversation: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2019
Britain’s greatest mountaineer Sir Chris Bonington talks to Paul Blezard about his career spanning six decades of climbing peaks, across all continents. He has undertaken nineteen Himalayan expeditions, including four to Mount Everest which he climbed in 1985 at the age of fifty, and has made…
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A Brief Guide to the World with Nicholas Crane: Stanfords Travel Writers Festival 2019
One word binds us all: geography. We are all geographers, human beings who care about the places we think of as ‘home’ – our habitat. Nicholas Crane makes the compelling case to Julia Wheeler that geography has never been so important. On this finite orb, with its battered habitat, sustained in...