Literary festivals in Oxfordshire and beyond
From intimate gatherings celebrating local writers to major festivals attracting internationally acclaimed authors, journalists, historians and public figures, literary festivals offer a chance to step beyond the page and into the conversations shaping our culture.
Oxfordshire has a particularly rich literary calendar, with festivals and literary events taking place in historic towns and city venues throughout the year. And if you’re willing to travel a little further, there are plenty more within easy reach of Oxford. Here are some of the best-known literary festivals in Oxfordshire — plus a selection just beyond the county and further afield.
Henley Literary Festival 2026
Founded in 2007, the Henley Literary Festival has firmly established itself as one of the UK’s most popular literary festivals, bringing together punters and pundits from far and wide in an annual meeting-of-minds set across its stunning riverside hometown.
Henley Literary Festival is established as one of the UK’s biggest book festivals. Previous speakers have included John Mortimer, Doreen Lawrence, John Major, Julia Donaldson, Richard E. Grant, Candace Bushnell, John Sentamu, Cressida Cowell and Graham Nash.
Wantage Literary Festival 2026
Wantage Literary Festival returns for its 16th year, bringing acclaimed authors, historians, journalists, artists and musicians to the Oxfordshire town. The packed programme explores literature, history, politics, art, science and the natural world.
Highlights include Victoria Hislop, Jasper Fforde, Stephen Sackur and Janina Ramirez, alongside family events, music, walking tours, sea shanties and the Big Town Read.
Oxford Literary Festival 2027
The Oxford Literary Festival offers nine days of talks, debates and cultural events centred around some of Oxford’s most iconic venues. Celebrated for its world-class line-up, the festival nurtures open dialogue and welcomes thinkers, writers and performers from around the globe.
The Sheldonian Theatre serves as a central hub for the festival, with events also taking place across Oxford’s historic university quarter. Alongside its international programmes, the festival offers an accessible and wide-ranging celebration of literature, culture and ideas.
Literary festivals beyond Oxfordshire
For those happy to venture a little further, these literary festivals offer plenty of compelling reasons to explore beyond Oxfordshire.
Cliveden Literary Festival
Cliveden Literary Festival offers a distinctive setting for lively discussion, thought-provoking ideas and political debate, bringing together leading authors, thinkers and public figures at the National Trust’s historic Cliveden estate.
Beyond the programme of talks and conversations, visitors can explore the beautiful gardens and enjoy scenic walks through the estate towards the River Thames, making the festival as much an opportunity to soak up its surroundings as it is to engage with literature and ideas.
Marlborough Literature Festival 2026
24 to 27 September
The Marlborough Literature Festival brings together writers, readers and literary enthusiasts in the beautiful Wiltshire market town of Marlborough, around 45 miles from Oxford. Its programme offers an engaging mix of author conversations, storytelling, ideas and family-friendly events.
With a focus on celebrating writing in all its forms, the festival creates opportunities to hear from bestselling authors, discover new voices and share a love of books and reading in a welcoming setting.
Bath Children’s Literature Festival 2026
25 September to 04 October
Bath Children’s Literature Festival – Europe’s largest dedicated children’s literature festival bringing some of the biggest and best loved names in the world of children’s books to a family audience of thousands.
The festival takes place across various locations in Bath, around 80 miles from Oxford (just under a two-hour drive). There’s something for everyone at this autumn’s Bath Children’s Literature Festival, which brings a host of writers and illustrators to the city for live, interactive events for young people of all ages.
Birmingham Literature Festival 2026
08 to 12 October
The Birmingham Literature Festival is a leading festival in the Midlands, showcasing the very best writers, speakers, thinkers, activists and artists from the UK and across the world.
The festival brings together writers, artists, commentators, readers, and thinkers – to share, learn, connect and enjoy three days of great creative writing – creating unique opportunities for audiences to experience high-quality events via an annual festival programme and associated projects.
Cheltenham Literature Festival 2026
09 to 18 October
Established in 1949, Cheltenham Literature Festival is one of the oldest literary events in the world. For ten days every Autumn, Cheltenham is transformed into a literary lover’s dream as it welcomes over 600 of the world’s finest writers, actors, politicians, poets and opinion formers – to help celebrate the joy of the written word.
Cheltenham Literature Festival is part of Cheltenham Festivals – a charity delivering a pioneering year-round educational programme culminating in four internationally-acclaimed Jazz, Science, Music and Literature Festivals. Cheltenham Festivals creates experiences that bring joy, spark curiosity, connect communities and inspire change.
London Literature Festival 2026
20 October to 01 November
There’s always a heavyweight line-up of the biggest authors and speakers at the capital’s most talked-about literary festival of the year. Previous speakers have included Hillary Clinton, Philip Pullman, and Tom Hanks take to the stage for individually ticketed events. This year’s festival reflects on what it means to be friends today.
Taking place at the Southbank Centre – the largest arts centre in the UK and one of the country’s top five visitor attractions – London Literature Festival is always full of encounters with the writers shaping our cultural life and a line-up of eminent authors alongside rising literary stars.
Winchester Books Festival 2027
16 to 18 April 2027
Winchester Books Festival brings authors, readers and ideas together in one of England’s most historic cities. With a programme spanning fiction, history, politics, culture and current affairs, the festival offers a varied mix of author talks, conversations and literary events.
Winchester’s compact centre and rich literary heritage make it an appealing destination for Oxfordshire readers looking to venture further afield for a weekend of books and conversation.
Swindon Festival of Literature 2027
May 2027 (TBC)
Swindon Festival of Literature brings together authors, readers and thinkers for a varied programme celebrating books, ideas and storytelling. Events take place at the Swindon Arts Centre and a host of other venues around town, with talks, discussions, workshops and family events spanning fiction, poetry, history, culture and current affairs.
Within easy reach of Oxfordshire, Swindon offers a straightforward literary day out for readers looking to explore events beyond the county. Its broad programme and welcoming atmosphere make it a useful addition to a wider regional literary festival round-up.
Buckingham Literary Festival 2027
June 2027 (TBC)
BuckLitFest brings writers, readers and literary enthusiasts together in the historic market town of Buckingham. Its programme features author talks, conversations and events spanning fiction, history, politics, culture and more, offering plenty for curious readers to discover.
Just beyond Oxfordshire, the festival makes an easy day trip for local readers seeking new voices, fresh ideas and lively discussion. Its welcoming community atmosphere makes it an appealing literary escape without travelling too far from home.
The post The literary festivals in Oxfordshire and beyond to put in your diary appeared first on The Oxford Magazine.
from The Oxford Magazine https://ift.tt/yaA3juW
via IFTTT
Comments
Post a Comment