Top Ten Literature Festivals in Britain

There is nothing quite like a literature festival to warm the heart and enthuse about the latest books on sale. It's a place where you can hear an author discuss their work and then perhaps buy a signed copy of the book. Book festivals are places to browse and dip one's toe in the water to hear something quite new and extraordinary. There are motivational speakers and popular childrens authors, politicians trying to sell their biography and some great travel writers. Sometimes there are even writers workshops and music recitals. Britain is home to some wonderful literary festivals and this article lists ten of the best.

HAY FESTIVAL, Hay On Wye, Herefordshire

Located in the town of books on the English / Welsh border Hay on Wye has over 30 bookshops in town. This is the place to come for a day wandering round the bookstores and each May the town turns into a two week festival. When Bill Clinton visited he called the Hay Festival "Woodstock for the mind," and it lives up to its reputation. With this small market town full of the top authors, aspiring writers and bibliophiles there is a tremendous atmosphere. One tip- book your accommodation early because Hay is full during the festival.

www.hayfestival.com

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE, CHELTENHAM, ENGLAND

Regency Cheltenham plays host to an excellent literary festival each October which also has workshops for children as well as those who like to write creatively.

www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature

DU MAURIER FESTIVAL, FOWEY, CORNWALL

Each May the town of Fowey in Cornwall celebrates the life of Daphne Du Maurier with a festival of literature. There are talks on books, some with a Cornish theme and lots of scenic walks and events in the area, particularly to the settings of Daphne Du Maurier's novels such as Frenchman's Creek

www.dumaurierfestival.co.uk

EDINBURGH BOOK FESTIVAL, EDINBURGH , SCOTLAND

Each August Edinburgh is alive with celebrations as part of the Edinburgh Festival and the book event is one of the largest of its kind in the world. The literature festival accompanies the main Edinburgh Festival event and has many excellent writers talking about their work and if you tire of books there are many other theatrical and artistic venues all over the city.

www.edbookfest.co.uk

OXFORD LITERARY FESTIVAL

Held in some of the most historic and beautiful buildings in the city, the Oxford Literary Festival attracts many visitors each year either to hear their favourite authors or to listen to debate about a relevant issue.This is a festival with a varied programme and there is usually something for everyone.

www.oxfordliteraryfestival.com

TRAVELLERS TALES FESTIVAL, LONDON

Each year Travellers Tales Festival, the only one of its kind in the world and a three day celebration of travel writing and photography, is held at the Royal Geographical Society in London. It is a combination of lectures by prominent writers and photographers as well as some good travel writing workshops.

www.travellerstales.org

WAYS WITH WORDS, DARTINGTON, DEVON, ENGLAND

Set in the beautiful surroundings of Dartington Hall on the River Dart in Devon, Ways With Words is a summer festival of writing and literature and with arts workshops as well as lectures by authors about their books.

www.wayswithwords.co.uk

WINCHESTER WRITERS’ CONFERENCE FESTIVAL and BOOK FAIR, WINCHESTER, ENGLAND

Held in the city of Winchester the Winchester Writers Conference brings together top writers and poets who help aspiring writers to polish their work and of course enjoy the books at the festival.

www.writersconference.co.uk

WIGTOWN LITERARY FESTIVAL, WIGTOWN, SCOTLAND

In a town with around 20 bookshops this small but welcoming festival is held annually in September and is set in beautiful and inspiring countryside in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.

www.wigtownbookfestival.com

WORDS IN MOTION AT THE BIG CHILL, EASTNOR, HEREFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND

This is a weekend of literature and creative writing in the middle of the Big Chill Music Festival at Eastnor Castle. Expect poetry recitals and storytelling around a fire as writers try new ideas.

www.bigchill.net

Literary festivals are popping up all the time and are a great way to appreciate writing and literature- and of course buy lots of good books.