The Festivals

The theme 'Reading the Land' is an invitation to share in the passion, experience and insight of our authors as we explore the best of nature writing. We bring togethers authors for whom our natural world has significance, whether through observation, participation or experience.

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We hope to stimulate positive ways of living with nature, and encourage the audience to share our passion for the landscapes, coasts, and flora and fauna.

While our horizons may have drawn in, travel writers have continued to reach out, rediscovering and reinterpreting the world for a new age. The Sherborne Travel Writing Festival was the first travel literature festival to be held in the UK for many years and has developed its own unique character.

At its heart is the idea – and the timely theme – of empathy.

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'Travel writers are bridge builders, venturing out into the world to understand different peoples, cultures and times. Empathy lies at the heart of our work, and the fundamental belief that through better understanding others we can better counter the division and isolation of the present day,'

writes festival founder and curator Rory MacLean.

Shetland Noir is back, celebrating all things crime writing over 4 days in June 2026, with a programme packed full of internationally known writer events, workshops and panel discussions.

The festival will return to Mareel from the 11th-14th June 2026, bringing Shetland’s unique voice to the global stage of crime writing, with a programme packed full of author talks, workshops, panel discussions and special events.

Join us for our exciting festival of words featuring creative writing workshops, literary talks, theatrical performances, nature walks, and musical entertainment in the heart of Shoreham-by-Sea.

The Small Publishers Fair is the annual gathering of books by writers, artists, poets, musicians, book designers and their publishers. It takes place in London’s historic Conway Hall, centre of humanism and literary Bloomsbury. Admission is FREE.

Throughout 2026 South Downs Poetry Festival, SDPF, is an annual pop-up festival which – uniquely – spans many miles: the length and breadth of the beautiful South Downs National Park and the surrounding area. The festival is organised by Focus Arts. 

Key dates are: Thursday 25 June 7.30pm for The Poetry and Jazz Cafe with Kate Noakes and Martyn Crucefix in the Assembly Room, Chichester; Tuesday 7 July 7pm for Poetry and Music in the Novium Museum; Friday 17 July 3pm for The Skylark and the City with Linda-Kelsall Barnett (guitar) and Barry Smith (words) in St John's Chapel.

Over the last few years we have expanded so as well as authors, we have poets, illustrators, publishers, writing groups and even a bookbinder.

We have several events supporting the festival, so as well as exhibitors on the day, we curate an eclectic mix of speakers; a ‘Book in the Window’ competition in which local businesses decorate their windows on a book theme; a  themed 100 word short story competition; a literary quiz on the day, a book cover design competition for children; a raffle and of course a WI-powered café.

St Andrew’s Book Festival is brought to you by Scots in London, an umbrella organisation for Scottish cultural societies, sports clubs, alumni groups, charities, churches and the Scottish military in London. The Scots in London mission is to co-ordinate our members’ events, promote Scottish heritage, culture and the arts in the London area, and to support relevant charities, as well as running events of our own.

Join us for a day of laughter, creativity, and unforgettable moments as we celebrate the magic of reading in the heart of Cornwall.

We get it. Planning a fun day out for the whole family can be expensive. But it doesn’t have to be!

The St Austell Festival of Children’s Literature offers an affordable and unforgettable experience with tickets just £1 each! Join us for a day of laughter, creativity, and adventure, right in the heart of Cornwall.

At SAFoCL, we believe that every child deserves to experience the joy of reading. That’s why we offer a wide array of events designed to spark curiosity, ignite imaginations, and foster a lifelong love of books.

Harnessing Creativity; Inspiring Expression - Inspiring A Community of Book Lovers.

An annual September festival that aims to instil belonging and pride, and to enrich our cultural landscape.
Inspiring communities with creativity, featuring an array of outstanding authors, poets and story tellers, the author programme aims to delight audiences with delights from all genres, from historical fiction and environmentalism to Scottish fantasy and folklore.

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet the very best travel writers of the year, as part of the Stanfords Travel Writers Festival, and get a copy of their books signed as part of the Destinations Travel Show.

Culture and Community, the South Downs Way! The festival features a variety of events including art trails, children’s events, community events, literature and talks, music and dance, theatre, comedy and film, walks and tours, and more.

Stockport Noir is back for its second year! Promising to be even bigger than 2025. Taking place on Saturday 31st January 2026 at the beautiful Stockport Guildhall, Stockport Noir aims to bring the biggest names in crime fiction to their readers. Join us for a day of insight, stories and laughter with over 20 bestsellers and rising stars in the crime fiction community.

The Festival offers an opportunity for people to meet their favourite authors and celebrities and the chance to learn new skills. It has an extensive community programme, works in prisons and has one of the biggest educational and outreach programmes of any literary festival.

The Festival offers an opportunity for people to meet their favourite authors and celebrities and the chance to learn new skills. It has an extensive community programme, works in prisons and has one of the biggest educational and outreach programmes of any literary festival.

Founded in 2016 by author Jamila Gavin, Stroud Book Festival has grown from a small local event to a full, five-day Festival, staged annually each November by a team of local authors and experienced publishing and cultural professionals. We present a programme of entertaining and thought-provoking events to engage audiences of more than 4,500 in our vibrant local community and beyond.

Discover a world of amazing stories and fresh voices at the Stroud Indie Book Fair. This in-person event is perfect for book lovers looking to explore unique titles from independent authors and publishers. Chat with creatives, score signed copies, and soak up the vibrant literary vibe. Whether you're hunting for your next favorite read or just want to hang out with fellow bookworms, this fair's got you covered!

Sturminster Newton Literary Festival focuses on celebrating three writers associated with the town (Thomas Hardy, William Barnes, and Robert Young), current Dorset and Wessex writers, and aspiring writers of the future. The festival has a range of talks, workshops, guided walks, and collaborative events with local businesses to promote writing from the region.