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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Winning story
A speaker at last year’s Wells Festival of Literature has been awarded this year’s Women’s prize for nonfiction for her moving book The Story of a Heart. Dr Rachel Clarke, a specialist in end-of-life care, appeared at the Festival in 2024 where she gave a heartwarming account of two nine-year-old children and the lifesaving journey…
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Survival, spies and justice
Wells Festival of Literature this year plays its part in commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War with gripping accounts from two authors of survival and espionage. A third writer brings a current message of hope in the battle for justice and holding war criminals to account. Historian Anne Sebba,…
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A taste of things to Come
Fermented foods, late love and an elephant trek are just some of the intriguing range of topics that mark the first weekend of Wells Festival of Literature in October. Among the speakers are Professor Tim Spector on a mission to bring the art of fermenting into our lives and kitchens with a new book Ferment…
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Poetry Play Kits Shared
Wells Festival of Literature Education Team has bought 17 of these amazing Poetry Play Kits by past Children’s Poet Laureate, Joseph Coelho. They make poetry fun and are packed with games and activities for ages 6+. The kits will be making their way to 3 local schools, this is just one of our many new…
