Welcome to
our Festival


16-24 October 2026

Set up in 1992 to celebrate the written word

Tickets now on sale

2026 Speakers

  • Patrick Gale

    Fiction

  • Stephen Sackur

    Current Affairs

  • Katja Hoyer

    History

  • Adrian Wooldridge

    Current Affairs

  • Louisa Young

    Literature

  • Jess Venner

    History

  • Jonathan Dimbleby

    Current Affairs

  • Martin Sixsmith

    Current Affairs

  • Martin Gayford

    Art

  • Rachel Seiffert

    Literature

  • Richard Elwes

    Science

  • Rory Cormac

    Current Affairs

  • Wells Literary Quiz

    Quiz

  • International Competitions

    International Competitons

  • Damien Lewis

    History

  • Peter Ormerod

    Music

  • Elizabeth Goldring

    Art

  • Daisy Fancourt

    Health

  • Arthur Snell

    Current Affairs

  • Sophia Smith Galer

    Language

  • Sara Wheeler

    Biography

  • Florence Hazrat

    Literature

  • Oz Clarke

    Food and Drink

  • Henry Normal

    Poetry

  • Amy Jeffs

    History

  • Gavin Francis

    Health

  • Oliver Bullough

    Current Affairs

  • Kate Williams

    History

  • Rebecca Seal

    Health

  • Dan Cruickshank

    Art

  • Andrea Wulf

    Biography

  • Ping Coombes

    Food

  • Nicholas Crane

    Travel

  • Lady Hale

    Current Affairs

  • Cathy Rentzenbrink

    Health/Centenary

  • Blake Morrison

    Memoir

  • Maggie Aderin

    Memoir

Our 2026 Sponsors

Principal Festival Sponsor

2026 Brochure

Download PDF Brochure View Digital 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.

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

News

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Festival Weekend Finale

    Festival Weekend Finale

    Online ticket sales close at 3pm today, so be sure to book before then to be sure of a seat. Tickets will then be available on the door at Cedars Hall from 4pm on Friday and all day Saturday for £12.50 each, cash or card. Seats are still available for: Friday 24 October 2.00pm James…

  • Reliving Austen In True Style

    Reliving Austen In True Style

    The 250th anniversary of novelist Jane Austen’s birth will be celebrated by two of her biggest fans on Saturday, the final day of this year’s Festival. If you were one of those sauntering the streets in Regency costume this summer – yes, even in Wells – here’s your chance to find out if you really…

Competitions
Education
Friends
  • Nick Trend with visitor
  • Physics Students meet Frank Close