Stratford-upon-Avon Literary Festival

April 25th - May 3rd

Stratford-upon-Avon is known around the world as the birthplace of William Shakespeare and as a result one of the most important historic locations of the literary world. Millions of tourists visit Stratford to see Shakespeare’s home and to see one of his works at the RSC Theatre’s that dominate the town.

This month see’s the third anniversary of a new literary festival created by Annie Ashworth and Natasha Roderick-Jones. Annie and Natasha thought it absurd that a town that is so well known for being the home of Shakespeare didn’t have its own literary festival.

The festival is designed to offer wide appeal and whilst there is a nod to Shakespeare in the line-up, an interest in the Bard is not essential to enjoy the festival which offers much wider appeal and is designed to interest and excite the imagination of all age groups. 

Headliners include leading comedian Jack Dee, BBC World Affairs Editor John Simpson poets Roger McGough and Wendy Cope, publisher and poet Felix Dennis, Booker-shortlisted author Mick Jackson, and BBC Radio 4 panellist and comedian Jeremy Hardy. Other names include Land Girls novelist Angela Huth, writer, broadcaster and comedian John O’Farrell, and bestselling author Sophie King. Other highlights include exhibitions, competitions, and street entertainment, and a children’s festival of storytelling and workshops, featuring events with Carnegie Medal winner Meg Rosoff and agony aunt and author of teenage fiction Cathy Cassidy.

The Stratford Literary Festival has commissioned a 30,000 word novella from Birmingham writer Leila Rasheed, author ofthe Bathsheba Books. Leila has written a superb novel which was be published on 19th April. It is aimed at teenagers and adults alike and is set around Stratford during the English Civil War. Alex Pritchard, art student at Stratford College Art, won the contest to design the cover for the book. 

To find out more about this years festival and to download a full programme visit the website here.