If you like prefer festivals that focus on books, ideas and authors rather than music, beer and sleeping in a tent, these are the ones for you.
There’s a whole plethora of literary events happening around the country this year, with line-ups featuring world-renowned authors – so take your pick…
Wimbledon BookFest
When: 24-27 March
Where: Wimbledon, South London
Highlights: Set in leafy South London, this festival happens twice a year (the autumn event runs from 17-27 October). Appearing at the Spring event are Clive Myrie, James O’Brien and Bettany Hughes.
Cambridge Literary Festival
When: 17-21 April
Where: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Highlights: This five-day festival began as WordFest in 2003 and has grown into one of the biggest book festivals taking place in the UK. Speakers this year include Armistead Maupin, Caroline Lucas, Jackie Kay, Sathnam Sanghera, Naomi Alderman and Helen Lederer.
How: Cambridge Literary Festival
Stratford Literary Festival
When: 1-5 May
Where: Stratford-Upon-Avon,
Highlights: Celebrating its 17th year this year, Stratford Literary Festival has a mix of author talks, workshops and family events. Speakers include Mary Beard, Val McDermid, David Nicholls, Patrick Grant, John Boyne and Michael Rosen.
How: Stratford Literary Festival
Hay Festival
When: 23 May–2 June 2024
Where: Hay-on-Wye, Wales
Highlights: Hay’s packed 11-day programme features the likes of Jeanette Winterson, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Tim Spector, Sara Pascoe, Colm Toibin, Stephen Fry, Reverend Richard Coles and Miriam Margolyes.
How: Hay Festival
Women’s Prize Live
When: 12 June
Where: Bedford Square Gardens, London
Highlights: We love this one-day festival set in a gorgeous square in London’s Bloomsbury. Speakers include Monica Ali, Suzannah Lipscomb, Val McDermid, Louise Doughty, Dorothy Koomson, Emma Dabiri, Nina Stibbe and Kate Mosse. There will also be writing workshops, publishing industry 1-2-1s and readings from the 2024 Women’s Prize for Fiction and Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction shortlistees.
How: Women’s Prize Live
Chalke History Festival
When: 24-30 June
Where: Church Bottom, Broad Chalke, Salisbury, Wiltshire
Highlights: The world’s biggest history festival returns with a new look for 2024 and lots more going on. Speakers include James May, The Rest Is History duo Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, Max Hastings, Bettany Hughes and Sathnam Sanghera.
How: Chalke History Festival (tickets go on sale in April)
Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
When: 18-21 July
Where: Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate
Highlights: The award-winning crime writing festival is back for its 21st year, and this time renowned author Ruth Ware is at the helm as programming Chair. Other speakers include Richard Osman, Chris Carter, Jane Casey, Elly Griffiths, Erin Kelly, Vaseem Khan, Dorothy Koomson, Shari Lapena, Abir Mukherjee and Liz Nugent. A must for crime fans!
How: Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
Also24
When: 12-14 July
Where: Park Farm, Compton Verney, Warwickshire
Highlights: Set lakeside in 50 acres of Capability Brown-landscaped surroundings, this boutique festival combines authors, music and comedy alongside food, nature and wellness. Speakers this year include Philippa Perry, Natalie Haynes, Dr Pragya Agarwal, Adam Kaye and Sara Pascoe.
How: Also24
Queen’s Reading Room Festival
When: 8 June
Where: Hampton Court Palace, Richmond Upon Thames
Highlights: No speakers have been announced yet for 2024 but last year’s included Dame Judi Dench and Austen improvisation group ‘Austentatious’, as well as live shows with the likes of authors Ken Follett, Peter James and Kate Mosse.
How: Queen’s Reading Room
Edinburgh International Book Festival
When: 10-25 August
Where: Edinburgh, Scotland
Highlights: One of the leading literary festivals in the world, the Edinburgh International Book Festival is going to be bigger than ever before – an estimated 220,000 visitors are expected at Charlotte Square Gardens this year. The programme for this year hasn’t yet been announced but last year’s guest speakers included Gordon Brown, Judy Murray, Colson Whitehead, Val McDermid, Elif Shafak and Ali Smith.
How: Edinburgh Book Festival (tickets go on sale on 4 June)
Cheltenham Literature Festival
When: 4-13 October
Where: Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Highlights: One of the oldest book festivals in the world, the Cheltenham Literature Festival was established in 1949. There are over 100 debates, interviews and workshops planned in 2024. No names have been released yet for this year’s events but last year’s speakers included Brian Cox, Jojo Moyes, Elizabeth Day, Charlie Mackesy, Sadiq Khan, Liv Little, David Mitchell, Heather Morris, Tim Peake and Clive Myrie.
How: cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature (tickets will be released in Spring)
Wigtown Book Festival
When: 27 September – 6 October 2024
Where: Wigtown, Dumfries & Galloway, south-west Scotland
Highlights: Scotland’s National Book Town plays host to this 10-day event, which features live music, performance, workshops, walks, as well as author events. More names will be added by speakers for now include Pam Ayres, Pen Vogler and Ali Millar.
Henley Literary Festival
When: 28 September to 6 October
Where: Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Highlights: This festival held in beautiful Henley on the banks of the river Thames is a lovely place to spend a few days. Among the speakers in 2023 were Mel C, Theresa May, Ben Okri, Jacqueline Wilson, Judy Murray, Timothy West, Shaparak Khorsandi, Sebastian Faulks and Victoria Hislop.
How: henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk (tickets will be released in Spring)
