Welcome to
our Festival
16-24 October 2026
Set up in 1992 to celebrate the written word
Tickets now on sale
2026 Speakers
Our 2026 Sponsors
Principal Festival Sponsor
2026 Brochure
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
News
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2019 Competitions: Our Judge Chosen as Poet Laureate!
Congratulations to this year’s poetry judge for his recent elevation: It was announced on 10 May 2019 that Her Majesty The Queen ‘has been pleased to approve the appointment of Simon Armitage as the next Poet Laureate for a fixed-term of ten years’. We are delighted with this news and wish Simon all the very…
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Exclusive: Our First 2019 Event
On Monday 15 July local writer and historian Ben Kane will be speaking at Cedars Hall at a very special – invitation only – event for our Friends and supporters. Known chiefly for his hugely enjoyable and engaging historical novels set in Roman times, Ben is also highly respected for his meticulous research and authentic…
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2019 Competitions: It’s Time to Enter
Spring is here – and so are the Festival’s hugely popular International Competitions. This year once again we are running four categories so there is a chance for all to get involved – wherever your particular talent lies, and whatever your age. We have some eminent names on our judging panel and are confident of…
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2019 Festival: Dates Confirmed
After the success of our 2018 Festival, our audiences can rest assured that our 27th festival will not disappoint. It will begin on Friday 18 October and end on Saturday 26 October with a ground-breaking finale that promises to be a sell-out. In between those two days will be a week packed with a range…
