Cheltenham Literature Festival is one of four festivals to hit the spa town each year, claiming its title as the ‘Oldest Lit Fest in the world’ (est. 1949). But whether your a bibliophile or a bibliophobe there’s something for everything at this glorious ten-day festival.
As an avid reader, this festival is a dream come true but it’s not just the lure of books that draws me in. Here’s why you should visit this year.
There’s something for everyone
With thirty themes being represented, there’s really something of interest to even the nichest of interests. From The Magic of Studio Ghiblo to Translating Shakespeare In China, there is an event to pull even the largest of bibliophobes among us to this remarkable event. (Bibliophobes is a word, I googled it)
Meet your favourite authors
Where else can you get up-close-and-personal with your favourite authors? Popular authors Gail Honeyman (Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine), Adam Kay (This is Going to Hurt) and Jojo Moyes (Me Before You) are just a handful of authors at the Cheltenham Literature Festival discussing their famed best-sellers and what’s next.
All ages can get involved
What I like most about this event is how inclusive it is. Not just from the wide ranging themes and genres, but the family events that can be enjoyed from as little as 2 years old. Animal Origami workshops, Performance Poets and exploring the The Magical World Of Harry Potter has seven-year-old me rejoicing! And It’s a wonderful method of making reading fun.
Learn something new
There are a number of development workshops available for writers at all stages of the writing journey, encouragement and energy to pick up the pen for an ongoing project, impetus to start your own story and learn how develop credible characters, find the right voice for your narrative and create a page-turning read.
Meet new people
The Cheltenham Literature Festival ‘Lit Crawl‘ is a free no-ticketed event that hosts ‘fast-paced’ pop-up events and quirky literary happenings around the city for one night only. Rounding off the night with a literary house party at The Bottle of Sauce.
Girl on a Train author Paula Hawkins at Cheltenham Literature Festival 2017
Top Tips for Getting Tickets
1.Become a member!
There are differing levels of Membership with Bronze being the first level. For the £25 annual fee, you can buy up to 2 full price tickets per event during priority booking. Even better, is the membership is inclusive of all other Cheltenham Festivals such as the Jazz, Music and Science festivals.
2. Create a wish list
Not only will creating a Wish List save you time when you join the rat race for tickets, but if you create your Wish List before 29 August, you’ll be in with a chance to WIN up to £250 of Cheltenham Literature festival tickets! When tickets go on sale, you can simply add your entire wish list to your basket in one swoop so it’s worth doing for a swift checkout. A minimum of five events must be added to the Wish list to enter.
3. Be ready
Now you’re a member, you;d better diarise 1pm on Wednesday 29th August (5th September for general sale) with a red ring around it!
