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Wells Festival of Literature

Welcome to
our Festival

Save the Date
16-24 October 2026

Set up in 1992 to celebrate the written word

2026 Competitions Now Open

Competitions
Education
Friends

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.

SPENT IN 2025 ON PROJECTS IN LOCAL SCHOOLS
CHILDREN INVOLVED
IN 2025
EVENTS
HAPPY FESTIVAL
VISITORS A YEAR

Education projects

  • Sam Sedgman – Year 6 Festival Event
  • 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

  • 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

  • Nick Trend with visitor
  • Physics Students meet Frank Close

News


  • Festival Success

    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.…

    4 November 2025
  • Excitement For Year 6

    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…

    4 November 2025
  • Become A Friend

    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…

    4 November 2025
  • Sponsor the Festival

    Sponsor the Festival

    We need your support. Please join our sponsors in helping the Festival continue its year-round literacy projects in local schools. There are lots of ways that businesses and individuals can help, from sponsoring an event to offering a service. In return sponsors receive a range of benefits including publicity and complimentary tickets. The Festival is…

    4 November 2025
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