For centuries, the magnificent university city of Oxford has fostered ideas, art, literature and fierce debate. This spring, at the Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival, we invite readers to witness all these in the making – and to take part in their shaping. Between March 31 and April 6, Christ Church, Oxford’s most beautiful college, will throw open its doors to all who want to think, to laugh, to disagree and to discover.

Hear Tom Stoppard (recipient of this year’s Sunday Times Award for Literary Excellence) speak of his mission as a dramatist, Richard Dawkins on his inspiration as an atheist, and Julian Barnes on his intimate fears and desires as a novelist. Interrogate Sebastian Faulks on his top-secret plans to bring James Bond into the modern world, and quiz former MPs Oona King and Douglas Hurd about politics past and present and life in the Westminster goldfish bowl.

Learn about memory’s tricks from Hanif Kureishi, about music from James Naughtie, long-lost love from Melvyn Bragg and about the perpetually restless imagination behind The Golden Compass from Philip Pullman. Patrick French will talk about his sensational new biography of VS Naipaul with Diana Athill – the editor who recognised Naipaul’s genius long before the Nobel prize got round to it. And Michael Holroyd will argue to the bitter end with Maggie Gee about the pointlessness – or not – of an university education for anyone who longs to be a writer.

All participants (speakers and audience-members alike) are invited to stay in the palatial college of Christ Church, pacing the medieval cloisters and breakfasting (on Oxford marmalade, naturally) in the hall where Charles I fled during the civil war and Lewis Carroll found inspiration for Alice in Wonderland. Where better, than in the shadow of Christopher Wren’s Tom Tower, to discuss war with Max Hastings, terrorism with Michael Burleigh and organised crime with Misha Glenny – all writers on the Sunday Times books pages?

For those whose appetites are whetted by the presence of so many inspiring writers, the festival offers for the first time its own residential creative-writing course. Aspiring authors will be housed for up to five days at the stunningly beautiful Corpus Christi College, next door to Christ Church: daily writing and discussion sessions will be interspersed with masterclasses from PD James, Joanne Harris, Jem Poster, Jill Dawson and Sunday Times critics John Carey and Peter Kemp. Places are scarce – the food is good, the beds comfortable, the company unparalleled – so apply for them now by e-mailing info@sundaytimes-oxfordliteraryfestival.co.uk or telephoning 01865 276152.

For children, highlights will include the chance to meet Spot the Dog, Shaun the Sheep, Pippi Longstocking and Peter Rabbit. Older children can listen to all their favourite writers: Meg Rosoff, David Almond and Charlie Higson among them. And if they want to do more than listen: no problem. They can take part in a quiz about Doctor Who and meet a dalek.

In another first, Naxos AudioBooks will be bringing its most popular performers to Christ Church, with actors and authors such as Anton Lesser, David Timson and Marcella Riordan reading and discussing some of the world’s great texts in the magnificent Upper Library. And to celebrate the 250th anniversary of travel agents Cox & Kings, there will be a fine array of travel writers for you to journey with, including Nicholas Crane and Rory MacLean.

And if you prefer more intimate events, why not book a seat at the dinner tables hosted by veteran broadcaster Mark Tully – the world’s best guide to India – or by Martin Bell, foreign correspondent turned crusading MP?

Full event details are available at www.sundaytimes-oxfordliteraryfestival.co.uk, or you can call 01865 276152 for a brochure. From January 30, tickets for individual events can be purchased from the box office of the Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street on 0870 3431001.

Your stay in Christ Church

Two exclusive packages are available to Sunday Times readers, each including tickets to key festival events:

Two-night package, March 31 and April 1, including accommodation and breakfast in Christ Church, plus tickets for Sebastian Faulks, Clarissa Eden, Oliver James and Rita Carter. Price from £130

Two-night package, April 4 and 5: accommodation and breakfast in Christ Church, plus tickets for Richard Dawkins, the Royal Society of Literature debate, Martin Bell, Melvyn Bragg and Tom Stoppard. Price from £137

TO BOOK: for a two-night package call 01865 286848/ 286877 from January 28 or e-mail festival@chch.ox.ac.uk. Booking for other accommodation is now open on the same numbers and e-mail address, from £53 per night, b&b

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