Welcome to
our Festival
Save the Date
16-24 October 2026
Set up in 1992 to celebrate the written word
Wells Festival of Literature
Celebrating its 34th Year in 2026
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
Education projects
Fleur Hitchcock visits Longvernal Primary
Dicheat School Book Club meet to discuss The Somerset Tsunami by Emma Carroll
St John’s enjoy a visit from Tracey Corderoy
Wookey Sch reading their new books
Waterstones visit by Bishop Henderson Sch
Emily Lloyd-Gale at St John’s
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
News
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School Visits
Profits from Wells Festival of Literature fund a year-round programme of exciting events in local schools to promote learning. These range from author visits to book donations and even trips to Waterstones bookshop. Already this year there have been several author-led workshops, including children’s author AF Harrold who has visited several local schools as part…
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Happy Days!
Looking back on the 2024 Festival, it’s almost impossible to decide who enjoyed it most. Was it the speakers themselves? There were 35 of them, each with a very different tale to tell, all fascinating and all inspirational in the telling. But then what about the interviewers, including our dedicated Festival Associates? It certainly looks…
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Changes to the Festival programme
As often happens, speakers change their plans after our brochure has been printed. Luckily, however, we are almost always able to find a suitable replacement. The following speakers will not after all be appearing at Wells this year: Marianna Spring, Zeinab Badawi, Michael Taylor. But we do have excellent replacements for all of them: Rafael…
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A Game Changer
Not long until the 2024 Festival kicks off but as we warm up for the starting line there has been some unexpected movement on the field and, in true championship style, we have a few last minute changes in the line-up. Charlie Taylor the well-known BBC Radio Somerset radio presenter, cricket commentator and podcaster will…
