Oxford has long been a magnet for those who seek new universes to explore, new battles to fight and new sources of inspiration. Which may explain why Tom Stoppard, Philip Pullman, Richard Dawkins, Julian Barnes, Joanne Harris, William Boyd and Monty Don are all to be found at this year’s Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival, a week-long celebration of good books and provocative debate set among the spires and quadrangles of Christ Church, Oxford’s most glorious college.

The festival opens on Monday March 31 with a coup: the launch of Once Upon a Time in the North, Philip Pullman’s eagerly-awaited prequel to his prize-winning trilogy. Fans of The Golden Compass can hear Pullman talk about the new book before quizzing him on his decision to expose some of his best-loved characters to the perils of the icy Arctic wastes.

Alternatively, you may prefer to torment Sebastian Faulks, newly anointed as the author of the next James Bond novel, by asking him questions no secret agent’s allowed to answer. If he fails to give satisfaction, raise the matter later in the week with Charlie Higson, author of the definitive books on James Bond the teenager.

On Tuesday April 1, listen as Oliver James diagnoses the most fashionable malaise of our times, affluenza. The historian David Kynaston, author of Austerity Britain, will prepare you for the post-affluenza years with tales of make-do-and-mend from the 1950s, while Clarissa Eden will give a first person account of the Suez war as seen from her Downing Street drawing room. General Lord Guthrie will debate the ethics of war - and what happens when they are set aside - with reference to his years as chief of the defence staff.

On Wednesday April 2, discover the inside story of the Irish peace process from Jonathan Powell, who mastered the dark arts of compromise as Tony Blair’s chief of staff. Then take in Rita Carter’s ground-breaking theory of multiplicity: each of us has many personalities and different ones take charge at differnt times. (So it’s not just politicians who are two faced.)

Thursday April 3 opens with the ten golden rules for business success, as told by Peter Jones of Dragon’s Den. Then catch Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi, on multi-culturalism, Mark Tully on India, William Boyd on his prize-winning novels and the mathematician Marcus du Sautoy on his passion for symmetry.

Friday April 4 features Monty Don, who will tour of the world’s greatest gardens without leaving Oxford town hall. Catch Margaret Drabble talking to fellow novelist Adam Mars—Jones or hear Richard Dawkins on his inspiration, but don’t miss the Royal Society of Literature debate in which Michael Holroyd claims writers shouldn’t bother with university - and Maggie Gee vehemently disagrees. Watch Misha Glenny lift the lid on global organised crime - or dine with Martin Bell and learn about political corruption closer to home.

On Saturday April 5, Melvyn Bragg will talk of love and loss, Michael Burleigh will discuss his new history of terrorism, Patrick French will introduce his warts-and-all biography of V S Naipaul, Louis de Bernieres will read from his new novel - and Dr Who fans will learn how to write Dr Who books. Nature lovers won’t want to miss Richard Mabey in conversation with Robert MacFarlane, while those who prefer man-made splendour can feast on a three course banquet in the great hall of Christ Church with Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat.

The playwright Tom Stoppard will receive the Sunday Times Award for Literary Excellence on Sunday April 5: expect fireworks in his conversation with Peter Kemp. Steven Berkoff will speak of his passion for food - from chicken soup to sushi -, while the BBC’s foreign editor John Simpson will discuss Tiananmen square with one of its survivors, the exiled novelist Ma Jian. And, just when everything couldn’t possibly get any better, Julian Barnes will speak to Hermione Lee about his new book: not quite a memoir, but the nearest he will ever get to one - and an conversation not to be missed.

The write stuff

For the first time this year, the Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival is offering its own residential creative-writing course, at the heart of the action. Aspiring authors can stay for five nights (from March 31 to April 4) with full board at Corpus Christi College, next door to Christ Church. The package includes daily workshops with novelists Jem Poster and Jill Dawson, and masterclasses given by PD James, John Carey, Joanne Harris, Peter Kemp and DJ Taylor, plus access to the festival’s evening highlights. To book, e-mail info@sundaytimes-oxfordliteraryfestival.co.uk or call 01865 276 152.

Your festival stay

One of the great pleasures of the Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival is the chance it offers to stay in Christ Church and immerse yourself in the festival atmosphere. Three exclusive two-night packages are available to Sunday Times readers:

March 31-April 1: accommodation and breakfast in Christ Church, including tickets to Sebastian Faulks, Clarissa Eden, Oliver James and Rita Carter. Price from £130.

April 2-3: accommodation and breakfast in Christ Church, including tickets to Seamus Murphy and Anthony Loyd, the Penguin readers’ evening, Peter Jones, Mark Tully and Adam Mars-Jones. Price from £137.

April 4-5: accommodation and breakfast in Christ Church, including tickets to 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 or e-mail festival@chch.ox.ac.uk. Other accommodation is also available, from £53 per night, b&b.

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