The Books in the Park festival will take place on Saturday, April 13 at Beckenham Place Park, Lewisham‘s largest green space.
The event offers a range of activities for both adults and children, including author talks, scavenger hunts, guided walks, and writing workshops.
Beckenham Place Park is home to ancient woodland, a community garden and a wild swimming lake.
Therefore, the festival has taken nature as its theme, spotlighting books that show the power of nature to inspire, heal and bring communities together.
The festival will be hosted in two main locations within the park.
Adult events will be held in the Mansion, a Grade II listed building, while children’s events will take place at the Homestead Education Centre, a part of the Homestead stables and courtyard.
The list of authors appearing at the festival includes Guardian gardening columnist Claire Ratinon, Wainwright Prize nominee Ben Jacob, debut novelists Emilia Hart and Jill Johnson, and author and comedian Isabel Losada.
Children’s authors Alex Falase-Koya, Alexandra Sheppard, and Natasha Farrant will all lead various interactive sessions.
Tickets are on sale now for all the talks and workshops (Image: Books in the Park)
Also for children, there will be a morning story time at 9am arranged by Lewisham Libraries, and a scavenger hunt throughout the day.
For aspiring writers, the festival offers writing workshops led by poet Gill O’Halloran and novelist Annie Lyons.
For nature lovers, Wild South London will lead a wild walk through the park.
Beckenham Bookshop, a local independent bookshop, will be selling books at the festival.
Frances Fuller, the festival director, said: “Beckenham Place Park is much-loved by residents across Lewisham and Bromley and already hosts lots of great events, so we’re thrilled to be launching its first ever book festival, BOOKS IN THE PARK.
“What started as a chat among the park’s gardening volunteers has blossomed into an event that we hope will inspire local people to enjoy the park in a new way.”
She added: “We’ve pulled together a programme that we think has something for everyone – from big topics, courageous memoir and debut fiction, to an exciting children’s programme for all ages.
“We’re supported by some wonderful sponsors and authors who all agree Beckenham Place Park is the perfect setting for a book festival.”
Tickets are on sale now on the the Books in the Park website.
