IT’s that time of year! Sandwiched between the summer open-air shows and the increasingly early Christmas season come the literary festivals. This region has several outstanding events, ranging from the long-established with stellar line-ups to the more local, which often have delightful gems that you won’t want to miss.
Some high profile authors, politicians, historians, novelists, broadcasters, scientists and food writers will be at several of the festivals – more chances to get a ticket with the events that are likely to sell out. But check out the websites to see the diversity of the programmes – happy reading and listening!
Taking them chronologically, first up is …
Taunton Literary Festival, continuing on various dates to November
Speakers include Caroline Quentin, Anthea Lawson, Fire River Poets, Robin Ince, Stephen Moss and Sarah Hudston
Bath Children’s Literature Festival,until 5th October
Speakers include Cressida Cowell, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, MC Grammar, Rose Ayling-Ellis and Ben Miller.
See separate preview
Mere Literary Festival, from 12th to 18th October
Line-up includes Ping Coombes, Tim Scott, Simon Cooper, Claire Leslie Hall, Sally Page, Minette Batters, Adam Hart and Tim Tate.
See separate preview
www.mereliteraryfestival.com
Wells Festival of Literature, from 16th to 24th October
Speakers include Stephen Sackur, Kate Hoyer, Jonathan Dimbleby, Oz Clarke, Henry Normal, Amy Jeffs, Kate Williams, Ping Coombes, Lady Hale, Cathy Rentzenbrink and Maggie Aderin.
See separate preview.
Yeovil Literary Festival, from 16th to 26th October
Speakers include Jeremy Hunt, Maggie Aderin, Celia Imrie, Sir Ian Botham, Freabk Gardner, Anneka Rice, Minette Batters, James Purefoy, Mary Portas and Jim Al-Khalili.
See separate preview
https://yeovilliteraryfestival.co.uk/
Dorchester Literary Festival, from 17th to 24th October
Line-up includes Tony Juniper, Blake Morrison, Julian Fellowes, Victoria Hislop, Kathy Lette, Simon Jenkins, Martin Sixsmith, John Sweeney, Jung Chang and Alison Steadman.
Bridport Literary Festival, from 6th to 14th November
Line-up includes Tom Cox (see interview), Katja Hoyer, Iain MacGregor, Matthew Sweet, Beth Gardiner, Jeremy Hunt, James Holland, Greg Doran, Julian Baggini and Frank Tallis.
https://www.bridlit.com/
Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival, from 13th to 16th November
Line-up includes Michael Morpurgo, Jonathan Dimbleby, Caroline Quentin, Larry Lamb, Julia Samuel, Baroness Minette Batters, Patrick Gale, Cathy Rentzenbrink, Sara Hudston, Iain MacGregor and Rosie Barnes.
https://visitdulverton.com/events/the-dulverton-exmoor-literary-festival-2026/