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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2019 Festival: Change of Speaker
We are sorry to report that Kamal Ahmed, who was due to speak in Wells on Saturday 19 October at 7.30pm, has had to pull out of the Festival for personal reasons. In his place we are delighted to have engaged Steve Richards the popular TV presenter and political columnist who regularly presents The Week…
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2019 Festival: Updates to the Programme
Ticket sales for the forthcoming Festival are selling fast with Chris Patten’s First Confession now sold out and several other events looking set to reach sell-out point before long. The grand finale featuring Roger McGough and Little Machine already has limited tickets left, and the signs are Kate Humble will be in that position soon.…
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2019 Festival: Chris Patten’s Event Sold Out
Tickets for Chris Patten’s First Confession on Saturday 26 October at 2 pm have now sold out, with further events looking set to follow. Which one will sell out next? No one knows for sure; there are several contenders. Here’s a small sample of the huge variety of topics on offer during the Festival: Finding…
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2019 Festival: Festival Fever Starts Here
Last week we held the very first event of 2019 – a magnificent occasion in Cedars Hall on 15 July which marked our gratitude to all our Friends, sponsors and supporters. Without their generosity, the Festival would be unable to provide the educational support to over 40 local schools which is so much a feature…