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Wells Festival of Literature

Welcome to
our Festival

Set up in 1992 to celebrate the written word

Competitions
Education
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See you in 2027

Education projects

  • Sam Sedgman – Year 6 Festival Event
  • St John’s visit to Waterstones
  • Enjoying their books & an ice cream to follow the Waterstones visit.
  • Launch of Make The Sunshine in Shepton Mallet supported by WFL.
  • Students from Whitstone visit Blossoms Cafe to discuss their new books from Waterstones.
  • Ashcott & West Pennard meet as part of the Small Schools Book Club
  • Books donated to Bishop Henderson Sch
  • A.F. Harrold at St Aldhelm’s
  • St Aldhelm’s visit Waterstones
  • High Sheriff of Somerset visits the Festival

  • Hugh Sexey Middle Sch visit to Waterstones
  • Emily Lloyd-Gale at St John’s
  • Dicheat School Book Club meet to discuss The Somerset Tsunami by Emma Carroll
  • Wookey Sch reading their new books
  • Fleur Hitchcock visits Longvernal Primary
  • St John’s enjoy a visit from Tracey Corderoy
  • Waterstones visit by Bishop Henderson Sch

News


  • Playing With Numbers

    Playing With Numbers

    Two authors who are interested in numbers – one in googology, one in global economics – both are appearing at the Festival, and both are likely to be fascinating speakers. What’s googology? It’s the study of huge numbers, as mathematical logician Richard Elwes explains in his book called just that – Huge Numbers: A Story…

    1 September 2026
  • Voice From The Grave

    Voice From The Grave

    Former war correspondent and best-selling author Damien Lewis brings to life WWII Special Forces hero Archie Gibson in his new book Behind Enemy Lines. Gibson miraculously survived a harrowing attack in the desert by an 88mm German gun and went on to spearhead a string of daring missions by the Long Range Desert Group patrol,…

    19 August 2026
  • Climate Upheaval

    Climate Upheaval

    After a summer of wildfires, drought and natural disasters across the world – and the first hosepipe ban in Somerset in 50 years – climate and geopolitics expert Arthur Snell should prove a fascinating guest at the Festival. In his book Elemental he suggests that, while natural disasters and increased scarcity of food shake the…

    18 August 2026
  • Destiny In The Stars

    Destiny In The Stars

    Budding astronomers inspired by the recent solar eclipse can reach for the skies once more duringthe Festival. Dame Maggie Aderin, space scientist and presenter of BBC4’s The Sky at Night, will tell the fascinating story of how her destiny was always written in the stars. Her memoir Starchild: My Life Under the Night Sky reveals…

    14 August 2026
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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

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.

SPENT IN 2025 ON PROJECTS IN LOCAL SCHOOLS
CHILDREN INVOLVED
IN 2025
EVENTS
HAPPY FESTIVAL
VISITORS A YEAR
  • Nick Trend with visitor
  • Physics Students meet Frank Close

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