Welcome to
our Festival
16-24 October 2026
Set up in 1992 to celebrate the written word
Tickets now on sale
2026 Speakers
News
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A Call To Action
We live in an age of extremes with populist leaders setting the agenda and autocracies on the march. Meanwhile the liberal establishment is a bewildered blob, devoid of new ideas or fresh solutions. So says global business columnist Adrian Wooldridge who has issued a powerful call to action in his latest book Centrists of the…
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Feats Of Memory
Memoirist Blake Morrison, an enthusiastic lifelong reader of other people’s lives, brings a delightful compendium of musings of narrative non-fiction to the Festival. His latest book On Memoir: An A-Z of Life Writing is a treasure trove of thoughtful literary exploration and amusing observations. From AI to ethics, politics to sex, he explores the challenges…
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Benefits Of Reading
It’s official. Reading is good for you according to a study published on a recent front page of The Times (15 Sept). Researchers at the University of Cambridge have said that regardless of “what or how we read”, sitting down with a book is linked to improved health and problem solving. The report, published in…
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Advice on Allergies
Hayfever may be on the wane with the end of summer, but allergies are on the rise worldwide, and one in three UK adults experiences allergic reactions at some point during their lifetime. Broadcaster and author Rebecca Seal offers some welcome relief in her book Irritated: The Allergy Epidemic and What We Can Do About…
2026 Brochure
Following a visit from A.F. Harrold:
“It was an enriching session that enhanced our pupils’ appreciation and understanding of poetry. Huge thanks to the Education Team at The Wells Festival of Literature for organising and funding this visit!”
Fairlands Middle School – Cheddar
Education projects
Our 2026 Sponsors

Principal Festival Sponsor








Wells Festival of Literature
Wells Festival of Literature is a registered charity entirely run by a committee of volunteers, funded by ticket sales, competition entries and generous local sponsors and Friends.
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