If you like prefer festivals that focus on books, ideas and authors rather than music, beer and sleeping in a tent, these are the ones for you.
There’s a whole plethora of literary events happening around the country this year, with line-ups featuring world-renowned authors – so take your pick…
Robin Mair
Charleston Festival
When: 14 - 26 May
Where: Charleston, East Sussex
Highlights: Held in the grounds of Chaleston, former home to artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant and the iconic meeting place of the Bloomsbury Group, this festival brings togethers authors, musicians, artists and perforners. Speakers this year include Richard E. Grant, Ruth Jones, Grayson Perry, Lady Hale, Julia Hoggett, Nigel Slater, Deborah Levy, Elif Shafak, Emma Barnett and Mishal Husain.
How: Charleston Festival
Well Read At Wasing Festival
When: 25-26 May
Where: Wasing Estate, Berkshire
Highlights: This boutique festival on the beautiful Wasing estate combines talks by acclaimed authors with focuses on wellness, nature, sustainability, parenthood, nutrition, and more with live music, fun outdoor activities, and a wealth of wellness offerings. Speakers include Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Clare Balding CBE and Melissa Hemsley.
How: Well Read At Wasing
Women's Prize Live
When: 11 June
Where: Bedford Square, central London
Highlights: Women's Prize Live is returning to Bedford Square Gardens on 11 June for another day of brilliant author talks, panels and other great bookish events. Speakers this year include Laura Bates, Emma Gannon, Gill Hornby, Tayari Jones, Nikki May, Priscilla Morris, Kate Mosse, Kavita Puri, June Sarpong and Rose Tremain, as well as all the shortlisted writers from the Women’s Prize for Fiction and the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction.
How: Women's Prize Live
Borders Book Festival
When: 12 - 15 June
Where: Melrose, Scottish Borders
Highlights: Taking place in Melrose’s idyllic Harmony Garden, this four-day festival really packs in a huge range of speakers, from politicians to poets. These include Alison Steadman, Larry Lamb, Michael Palin, Stacey Dooley, Si King, Kirsty Wark, Louise Minchin and Ian Rankin among others.
Lloyd Smith
Hay Festival
When: 22 May - 1 June
Where: Hay-on-Wye, Wales
Highlights: Hay’s packed 11-day programme features the likes of Michael Sheen, Jameela Jamil, Grayson Perry, Elif Shafak, Yulia Navalnaya, Mary Trump, Sharon Horgan,Susie Dent, Stacey Dooley, Lorraine Kelly, Katie Piper, Elif Shafak, Ruth Jones, Rachel Joyce, Joanne Harris, Jojo Moyes, Matt Haig, Tracy Chevalier and Anton Du Beke.
How: Hay Festival
Chalke History Festival
When: 23 - 29 June
Where: Broad Chalke, Near Salisbury, Wiltshire
Highlights: For one week, the world’s most passionate minds in historical investigation and debate come together in the stunning surroundings of the Chalke Valley in Wiltshire, providing fresh new perspectives to the past and bringing history alive through its sights, sounds and experiences. Speakers include Tracy Borman, Michael Palin, Gill Hornby, Minette Walters, Dan Jones, Michael Gove and more.
Bradford Literature Festival
When: 27 June – 6 July
Where: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Highlights: Bradford Literature Festival (BLF) 2025 will feature hundreds of unique events for all ages across 10 days. Look out for the return of annual flagship events, including Poetry with a Punch, and the ever-popular Brontë Day and Family Fun Days in City Park, as well as several new themes and topics.
How: Bradford Literature Festival
Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
When: 17-20 July
Where: Harrogate, Yorkshire
Highlights: One of the biggest festivals in the world for crime fiction lovers, Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival takes place in the beautiful town of Harrogate. Hosted at the historic Old Swan Hotel in Harrogate—the site where Queen of crime writing Agatha Christie was found after her famous disappearance - there are tens of talks, panels and author dinners. For 2025, Lee and Andrew Child, Irvine Welsh, Attica Locke, Kate Atkinson, Paula Hawkins, Kate Mosse, Steph McGovern, Val McDermid and Mark Billingham feature in a stellar line up, curated by Festival Programming Chair and ‘Slow Horses’ creator Mick Herron.
How: Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
Edinburgh International Book Festival
When: 9 - 24 August
Where: Edinburgh
Highlights: One of the world’s leading literary festivals, Edinburgh International Literature Festival draws thousands of people to the Scottish capital. Last year's speakers included Dolly Alderton, Richard Osman, Philippa Gregory, Salman Rushdie, Colm Tóibín, Andrew O’Hagan, Val McDermid, Elif Shafak, David Nicholls, Lorraine Kelly, Rebecca F Kuang, Ian Rankin, and Margaret Atwood.
Book: edbookfest.co.uk
Radio Times presents Richard Osman
When: 4 September
Where: Kew Gardens, London
How: Radio Times presents Richard Osman
The Queen's Reading Room Festival
When: 19-20 September
Where: Chatsworth House, Derbyshire
Highlights: Queen Camilla's book festival moves to a new location for 2025: Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, a venue chosen to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth. It will include a screening of the film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice in the gardens of the stately home, which starred as Pemberley (Mr Darcy’s house) in the 2005 film. Headliners include Jilly Cooper, Helen Fielding, Richard Osman, Jojo Moyes, Sarah Winman, Joanna Cannon, Kristin Hannah, Sebastian Faulks, Sarah Waters and Alan Titchmarsh.
How: The Queen's Reading Room Festival
North Cornwall Book Festival
When: 25 September - 28 September
Where: St Endellion, Cornwall
Highlights: Curated by bestselling writer Patrick Gale, this intimate festival includes author events, live music and an artisan market. No speakers have been announced yet for 2025 but last year's included Anne Enright, Simon Armitage, Alan Hollinghurst and Sathnam Sanghera.
How: endelienta.org.uk/north-cornwall-book-festival
Henley Literary Festival
When: 4 - 12 October
Where: Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Highlights: This festival, held in beautiful Henley on the banks of the river Thames, is a lovely way to spend a few days. Names for 2025 will be announced soon. Last year's speakers included David Nicholls, Lynda La Plante, Elif Shafak and Shirley Ballas.
Book: henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk
Cheltenham Literature Festival
When: 10 - 19 October
Where: Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Highlights: One of the longest-running book festivals in the world, the Cheltenham Literature Festival was established in 1949. There are more than 100 debates, interviews and workshops planned in 2025. No names have been announced yet but last year's included Barbara Kingsolver, Helen Fielding, Eleanor Catton, Richard Curtis, Richard E. Grant, Theresa May, Michel Roux and Zadie Smith.
How: cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature
Cliveden Literary Festival
When: 11 - 12 October
Where: Cliveden House in Berkshire
Highlights: Now in its 9th year, this festival takes place in the beautiful grounds and surrounds of Cliveden House. No names yet for 2025 but last year's speakers included Salman Rushdie, Ian McEwan, Tom Holland and Emily Maitlis.
How: Cliveden Literary Festival
Wigtown Book Festival
When: 26 September - 5 October
Where: Wigtown, Dumfries & Galloway, south-west Scotland
Highlights: Scotland’s National Book Town plays host to this 10-day event, which features live music, performance, workshops, walks, as well as author events. No names yet but last year's speakers included Pam Ayres, Pen Vogler and Ali Millar.
Henley Literary Festival
When: 28 September - 6 October
Where: Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Highlights: This festival held in beautiful Henley on the banks of the River Thames is a lovely place to spend a few days. Among the speakers this year are David Nicholls, Lynda La Plante, Elif Shafak and Shirley Ballas.
How: henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk
Ilkley Literature Festival
When: 3 - 19 October
Where: Ilkley, West Yorkshire
Highlights: The north’s longest-running literary festival has more than 90 events taking place across 17 days at the King’s Hall and venues across the spa town. Headliners from 2024 included Kate Atkinson, Julian Clary, Susie Dent, Patrick Grant, Alan Hollinghurst, Jodi Picoult, Prue Leith and Carol Ann Duffy.
How: Ilkley Literature Festival
Isle Of Wight Literary Festival
When: 9 - 12 October
Where: Cowes, Isle of Wight, Hampshire
Highlights: Gorgeous Northwood House, a grade II* listed Georgian manor, plays host to book talks, cookery demos and wine tastings, as well as speakers such as Tracy Borman and Susie Dent.
How: isleofwightliteraryfestival.com
Durham Book Festival
When: 10-13 October
Where: Durham
Highlights: Based in the cathedral city of Durham, this festival of all things written is produced by New Writing North. The programme this year includes Rebecca F Kuang, Alan Hollinghurst, Jackie Kay, Jodi Picoult and Tracy Chevalier.
How: newwritingnorth.com/durham-book-festival
Wimbledon Bookfest
When: 16-26 October 2025
Where: Wimbledon, London
Highlights: Set in a leafy suburb of south-west London, this festival takes place twice a year (there are events in the spring, too). Appearing this autumn are restaurant critic Jay Rayner, poet Lemn Sissay, award-winning storytellers Jung Chang,Alexander McCall Smith and Kit de Waal.
Bridport Literary Festival
When: 2 - 8 November
Where: Bridport, Dorset
Highlights: Taking place in the pretty market town of Bridport in Dorset, this 6 day festival celebrates its 21st year in 2025. The speakers include a real mix of well-known names alongside local writers. Speakers for 2025 will be announced soon.
How: Bridport Literary Festival
An Evening with Margaret Atwood
When: 10 - 13 November
Where: London, Bristol and Manchester
How: An Evening with Margaret Atwood
Good Housekeeping Live
When: 12 - 15 November
Where: The Business Design Centre, London
Highlights: Good Housekeeping Live is back and it’s bigger than ever. This year, we have teamed up with sister magazine Country Living and, as well as talks, workshops and demonstrations, you will be able to shop for all your Christmas needs at more than 100 stalls selling artisan products. Speakers will be announced soon! Lasy year's included David Nicholls, Marian Keyes, Lucy Worsley, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Caitlin Moran, Anton Du Beke and many more.
