Wells Festival of Literature has been a fixture in the calendar for over 30 years. The festival now runs for 9 days. In 2024, Wells Festival of Literature took place in mid October. Cedars Hall is now the venue for all the events except the Wells Literary Quiz which usually takes place in a local hostelry. (In years gone by, some of the talks by authors took place in marquees in the gardens of the Bishop’s Palace. It could get a little chilly.) Cedars Hall is a state-of-the-art event venue with a well-stocked bar! It’s designed to hold concerts, so the acoustics are fantastic.
Wells festival of literature helps the community
Wells Festival of Literature not only provides entertaining and thought-provoking talks it also makes a real difference to school children in the local community. Profits from the festival help to support important educational projects in Somerset.
2024 was the most successful Wells Literature Festival to date with record ticket sales. Thousands of people attended the huge range of events. This will help to fund trips for pupils to talks by a well-known author or two and help to provide subsidised books, theatre trips and transportation to other literary events. A large part of the festival’s work is to encourage young people to love books and reading. Incredibly worthwhile aims.
buying TICKETS for the festival
Tickets to the Wells Festival of Literature usually go on sale during the first week of August. In 2024, general admission to an event was £10 (plus a booking fee). Students paid £6 (plus a booking fee.) The festival always attracts some well-known authors and many events sell-out quickly. Tickets can be purchased via the Wells Festival of Literature website or by calling 01749 834483 (9.30am – 12.30pm). It is sometimes possible to buy unsold tickets ‘on the door’ at Cedars Hall.
Talks by authors take place from lunchtime onwards. Several of the events include a two course lunch.
Above: Robert Harris in conversation with William Waldergrave
Becoming a ‘Friend’ of Wells Festival of Literature has a number of benefits. Alongside helping to fund educational projects, a Friend of the festival receives a 10% discount on tickets, priority booking and invites to unique events.
SPEAKERS AT THE 2024 FESTIVAL
The 2024 the festival was opened by Susie Dent (of Countdown fame). Susie was followed by Shami Chakrabarti who spoke about the struggle for universal freedoms.
Other well known speakers included the poet Pam Ayres, politician William Waldegrave and author, journalist and TV presenter, John Suchet. There was also the opportunity to hear from Louise Minchin, Sophie Grigson and AC Grayling, to name but a few!
An event that channels its profits into the education of children should be applauded. The many sponsors, patrons and volunteers do a fantastic job. The literature festival is another of Somerset’s great festivals. Long may it continue.
WELLS LITERATURE festival 2024 ITINERARY
18 October 6pm – Susie Dent in conversation with David Lister
18 October 7.45pm – Shami Chakrabarti in conversation with Rachel Holmes
19 October 10.30am – Grace Blakeley in conversation with George Miller
19 October 12.15pm – Des Fitzgerald in conversation with David Lister
19 October 2pm – A.C. Grayling
19 October 3.45pm – Pam Ayres
19 October 5.30pm – Adam Smyth
19 October 7.30pm – John O’Farrell in conversation with George Miller
20 October 12noon – Dr Rachel Clarke in conversation with Dr Lucy Pollock
20 October 2.30pm – Cecile Pin
20 October 4.15pm – Andrew Ziminski in conversation with Christopher Somerville
20 October 6pm – Louise Minchin in conversation with Lucinda Hawksley
20 October – Wells Literary Quiz – Doors open at 7pm. Quiz starts at 7.30pm. In the Swan Hotel
21 October 6pm – Diarmaid MacCulloch
21 October 7.45pm – Marianna Spring in conversation with Jo Durrant
22 October 2pm – Petroc Trelawny in conversation with Christopher Somerville – Literary Lunch
22 October 4.15pm – Vernon Bogdanor
22 October 6pm – Gillian Clarke
22 October 7.45pm – Kate Hext
23 October 2pm – Jonathan Dimbleby in conversation with William Waldegrave – Literary Lunch
23 October 6pm – Zeinab Badawi in conversation with Lucinda Hawksley
23 October 7.45pm – Dr Benji Waterhouse in conversation with Richard Mainwaring
24 October 4.15pm – Martin Sixsmith
24 October 6pm – Jon Cruddas in conversation with George Miller
24 October 7.45pm – David Horspool in conversation with Stephen Moss
25 October 2pm – Geoffrey Wheatcroft in conversation with William Waldegrave – Literary Lunch
25 October 4.30pm – Alexandra Harris in conversation with Sarah Lefanu
25 October 6.15pm – Michael Taylor in conversation with Adam Rutherford
25 October 8pm – Bendor Grosvenor
26 October 10.30am – Sophie Grigson in conversation with Caroline Waldegrave
26 October 12.15pm – Christopher Harding in conversation with Adam Rutherford
26 October 2pm – Harriet Wistrich in conversation with Baroness Hale
26 October 3.45pm – Jonathan Coe in conversation with Sarah Lefanu
26 October 5.30pm – John Suchet
26 October 7.15pm – Paul Sinha in conversation with George Miller
If you are travelling from afar, The Cross at Croscombe is only a couple of miles from Wells.