Wells Festival of Literature

23/10/2026

Congratulations to our Book for Children winners.

23/10/2026

Congratulations to our short story competition winners.

23/10/2026

Congratulations to our Young Poet competition winners.

23/10/2026

Congratulations to our Open Poetry Competition winners.

23/10/2026

The winners of the 2026 International Competitions have now been announced following an exciting afternoon of Poetry Readings and Prize Giving during the Festival.

Entrants from around the world competed in four categories of poetry and storytelling for prizes totalling £5,000.

Everyone who reached the shortlist received an explanation from the judges as to why their work was awarded a prize, and was invited to the ceremony. Some travelled to the event to read out their own work, while those who could not be there in person sent in a video.

Entries for the Young Poets’ section rose substantially this year thanks to the deadline being extended by a month to avoid the summer exam period.

23/10/2026

Many thanks to our new team of photographers who have been covering all the events across the nine days of the Festival.

The team includes two students, Ella Sargent (left) and Annabelle Brown (right), who volunteered their services alongside long-standing committee member Susan Knight.

23/10/2026

22/10/2026

Our final day is Saturday 24th October don't miss your chance of seeing authors you love and new ones to be inspired by - tickets available on the door at Cedars Hall Wells.

22/10/2026

The festival comes to a star filled end on Saturday, so make the most of grabbing tickets to our last speaker's events while you can. Tickets available on the door at Cedars Hall Wells.

22/10/2026

WE are delighted to have Dr Gavin Francis, speaking at the Festival today 22nd October at 6pm. He has just been shortlisted for the prestigious Saltires – Scotland’s National Book Awards – in the non-fiction category.

Tickets are still available on the door at Cedars Hall Wells. Talk starts at 6pm.

In his latest book The Unfragile Mind, the doctor draws on conversations with patients and colleagues to explore the chequered history of psychiatry