Welcome to
our Festival
Save the Date
16-24 October 2026
Set up in 1992 to celebrate the written word
Celebrating its 34th Year in 2026
News
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authors shortlisted
Horatio Clare and Lyse Doucet, who both appeared at this year’s Festival, are on the Nero Book Awards 2025 Non Fiction shortlist. They join two other authors shortlisted in this category – James Fox and Sarah Perry – and the winner will be announced on 13 January 2026. Clare, an award-winning author and journalist, uncovers…
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Festival Success
Stimulating speakers and record ticket sales made the 2025 Festival the best year ever with several authors attracting capacity audiences. Sell-outs included novelist Sebastian Faulks and health guru Tim Spector on the opening night, a literary lunch with gardener Carol Klein, and fascinating stories of Afghanistan by war correspondent Lyse Doucet on the final day.…
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Excitement For Year 6
Adventure mystery writer Sam Sedgman went down a storm at the Festival’s schools-only event, entertaining more than 1,000 Year 6 youngsters. Sedgman, the award-winning author of several series of books, including Adventures on Trains and Isaac Turner Investigates, delighted his young audience with weird and wonderful facts from his stories. Afterwards the children queued excitedly…
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Become A Friend
Join the Festival as a Friend and enjoy the benefits of early booking, discounted ticket prices and an invitation to a special pre-Festival event. Never miss out again on seeing a favourite author – several speakers sold out fast in 2025 – as advance booking for Friends opens a week ahead of general booking. Membership…
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
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
