The main gallery is currently closed for exhibition changeover. Pitzhanger Manor and Marthe Armitage: Pattern Maker remain open, with discounted admission available.
On 8–19 July, further closures will be in place due to filming activity. During this period, the main gallery, café, shop, Monk’s Dining Room and Wonder Room will be closed. Discounted admission will remain available for access to the open areas of Pitzhanger Manor, including Marthe Armitage: Pattern Maker.
Visitors requiring step-free access to the Manor on 8–19 July will need to enter and exit via the Eating Room door from the Front Garden. The accessible toilet in the main gallery will not be available; the nearest accessible toilet is at the Rickyard in Walpole Park, near the playground.
Why does espionage fiction remain so popular and compelling? Join three leading writers in the genre. The granddaughter of infamous British traitor Kim Philby has written a fictionalised account of the fascinating relationship between her grandfather and the woman who recruited him as a Soviet spy in the 1930s. Jake Kerridge is the crime and thriller reviewer of the Daily Telegraph and local Ealing author Alex Gerlis’s latest bestseller is based on real events that took place during the Second World War.
Chairing this event is Shane Whaley, the passionate force behind Spybrary, a podcast and vibrant community of spy fiction aficionados who enjoy his engaging discussions, interviews, and reviews.
Charlotte Philby is a journalist and author of four spy novels, all focusing on the role of women in espionage.
Jake Kerridge is the crime and thriller reviewer of The Daily Telegraph, as well as one of the UK’s leading commentators on the world of books and publishing. He has interviewed writers ranging from Margaret Atwood to Elmore Leonard and, in the spy fiction field, John le Carré, Len Deighton, Mick Herron, Charles Cumming and many more
Ealing-based Alex Gerlis is a former BBC journalist who began writing espionage novels in 2011 when he left the BBC. He has written eleven novels, all set in Europe during the Second World War and based on real events.
Shane Whaley the host of the Spybrary Podcast, is a seasoned podcaster and a fervent enthusiast of spy books and espionage history. His insightful discussions and engaging style make him a beloved figure among spy genre aficionados.
About Ealing Book Festival
The aim of Ealing Book Festival is to celebrate the joy of reading and to advance engagement and education around literature and reading. Through our events we hope to bring people and communities together; inspire and develop writers of all ages; showcase well-known authors and promote local writers, and grow book-loving audiences. The Festival team is Catherine Jaquiss, Jeff Brown, Alex Gerlis, Anne Elletson, Tanya Burgess, Nadine Thompson, Jeff Highfield, Ian Burge, Emma Walker and Natalie Arestis.
Partial Closures & Discounted Admission: 8–19 July
Parts of Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery will be temporarily closed from 8–19 July due to filming activity. The main gallery, café, shop, Monk’s Dining Room and Wonder Room will be closed during this period.
Discounted admission is available for access to the remaining areas of the Manor, including Marthe Armitage: Pattern Maker. A temporary pop-up shop will be available inside the Manor.
Visitors requiring step-free access to the Manor will need to enter and exit via the Eating Room door from the Front Garden, as the usual accessible route through the main gallery and Colonnade will not be available.
The accessible toilet in the main gallery will also be unavailable during this period. The nearest accessible toilet is at the Rickyard in Walpole Park, near the playground.
Please note that the Eating Room in Pitzhanger Manor will be closed at 10am–5pm on 1 August for a private function. Artworks in the affected space will be temporarily off view, but General Admission continues as usual. All rooms will be open before and after this time during our regular opening hours.
Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery is open as usual on Thursday 6 August, 10am–8pm. For visits before 3pm, please continue to book general admission as normal.
Please note that the Eating Room in Pitzhanger Manor will be closed at 12.30–5pm on 8 August for a private function. Artworks in the affected space will be temporarily off view, but General Admission continues as usual. All rooms will be open before and after this time during our regular opening hours.
Please note that the Upper Drawing Room in Pitzhanger Manor will be closed at 2–4pm on 22 August for a private function. Artworks in the affected space will be temporarily off view, but General Admission continues as usual. All rooms will be open before and after this time during our regular opening hours.
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