Festival Events
Our Book Group Event
More than 50 book groups are active in the Wells area, which means there are plenty of keen readers locally who enjoy the Festival’s annual Book Group Event.
This year author Rachel Seiffert is the guest speaker who will be discussing her latest novel Once The Deed is Done, which was shortlisted for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction 2026.
To mark the occasion the Wells branch of Waterstones is offering a 10% discount to any book group members who buy the book.
Described by judges as “outstanding . . . a complex and ambitious novel”, the story confronts the dark secrets of a small German town and the plight of refugees in the messy aftermath of the Second World War.
Literary Lunches
Light lunches and lively discussions are the theme of these popular gatherings at the Festival, giving authors and audiences the chance to get together informally.
For the 2026 event, three lunches will take place in Cedars Dining Hall, each with a different speaker, and a changed menu on each occasion of soup with artisan bread and an enticing pud.
The lunches feature: Elizabeth Goldring who has written Holbein, an illustrated biography of the Tudor artist; Sara Wheeler with Jan Morris: A Life, a biography of the legendary writer and Kate Williams with Regina: A new History of Women and Power which shatters a few myths.
The talks follow at 2.00pm in Cedars Hall and these can be booked independently of the lunches.
“It was an absolute pleasure to speak at Wells Festival of Literature! Not only was I looked after like royalty, but the audience were utterly engaged and delightful. Altogether this festival was one of the highlights on my Renaturing book tour. Glorious city; gorgeous festival!“
James Canton – 2025
Wells Literary Quiz
Quirky quiz conundrums
Sunday night at the Festival is time for a novel experience – if you haven’t done this before! – with quirky quizmaster Gary Wigglesworth
He’s back once again with a couple of hours’ worth of entertaining brain teasers in the foyer of Cedars Hall.
It will be a fun evening of quips, quizzes and a quest for glory as each group pits its literary wits against competing teams.
Teams of six are preferred so start rounding up your bookworm friends in advance for the event which takes place on Sunday 18 October.
