4-13 October 2019

The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival is the largest and oldest literature festival in the world. This year it celebrates it's 70th anniversary.  The first, which ran in 1949, has paved the way for an extensive, autumnal line-up of authors, actors, politicians, poets, opinion formers, influencers and leaders in their field. It is a bibliophile's dream as for ten days Cheltenham is transformed into a living library. 

Centred around a Festival Village in Montpellier Gardens, pop-up big tops give the sense of a wonderfully colourful vintage festival, while an outdoor sitting room provides space to read at leisure, the bandstand has a new purpose as a bookstand where you can swap old favourites for new ones and an enchanted woodland is the setting for a children's line-up that's not to be missed. It's not limited to the village though as the Festival incorporates a collection of Cheltenham's pubs, clubs and bars to become hosts for spoken word, a lit crawl, speakers and even lunch sessions. 

Each year, the event brings more than 600 speakers to the town, and sells over 135,000 tickets to its events including nearly 500 debates, interviews and workshops, it also hosts Book It! a festival within a festival for families and young readers. Where else could you see the Gruffalo rub shoulders with an award-winning novelist, or a Hollywood legend exchange views with political leaders?

Not to mention of course the ...around town programme which delivers more than 80 events for free for all ages, including walks, talks and interactive sessions. 

This year,to celebrate the 70th anniversary, the theme is ‘Seven at Seventy’.  Seven high profile authors will be attending the event and reflecting on their breakout book in a special series of ‘Celebrate With…’ events, as well as shining a spotlight on new talent with seven major showcases of new writing.

The full programme is due to be launched on Friday 16th August, until then check out the First Names Revealed For Cheltenham Literature Festival 70th Anniversary Programme.

Bring on the Cheltenham Literature Festival. We can't wait to host you again!