Welcome to
our Festival
16-24 October 2026
Set up in 1992 to celebrate the written word
2026 Speakers
News
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Lit Lovers Quiz Night
Fancy a quirky quiz night? Then book a table for Sunday evening’s Literary Quiz in Cedars Hall. It promises to be a brainstorming event for bookworms hosted by quizmaster Gary Wigglesworth, well-known author of The Book Lover’s Quiz Book and The Movie Lover’s Quiz Book. You can book tables of four or six, or even…
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Women Take to the BBC
Four of our fascinating female speakers who are appearing at this year’s Festival are currently featured on BBC Radio Sounds. Catch novelist Louisa Young in Radio 3’s Private Passions – available until 15 October – where you clan listen to her tracklist of music. Family is at the heart of her work, and her first…
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Repertoire Of Rice
Foodies will get the chance to explore delicious rice-based recipes with Malaysian-born chef Ping Coombes at the Festival’s Saturday morning cookery slot. In her new book called simply Rice, Ping – who is a TV MasterChef Champion of Champions, and who now lives locally – sets rice at the heart of the table with dishes…
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Andrea On Award List
Multi award-winning Andrea Wulf is now on the shortlist for the Baillie Gifford 2026 Prize, joining five other authors in line for the top prize of £50,000. Andrea was previously longlisted for the award in 2008 and has now received a second recognition for The Traveller. This is a biography which traces the life of…
2026 Brochure
Following a visit from A.F. Harrold:
“It was an enriching session that enhanced our pupils’ appreciation and understanding of poetry. Huge thanks to the Education Team at The Wells Festival of Literature for organising and funding this visit!”
Fairlands Middle School – Cheddar
Education projects
Our 2026 Sponsors
Principal Festival Sponsor
Wells Festival of Literature
Wells Festival of Literature is a registered charity entirely run by a committee of volunteers, funded by ticket sales, competition entries and generous local sponsors and Friends.
IN 2025
VISITORS A YEAR
