BEVERLEY- For two weeks this autumn the East Riding will once again be alive with stories. The Festival of Words, the county’s annual literary celebration, returns with a programme that stretches from Beverley to Bridlington, drawing together novelists, poets, historians and performers for a series of conversations and events.
What makes the festival distinctive is not just its guests but its settings. Libraries become lecture halls, community centres are turned into salons, and audiences find themselves rubbing shoulders with writers in intimate venues far removed from the anonymity of big-city festivals. It is literature at close quarters, where the atmosphere is informal and the discussion often more revealing.
The Festival of Words has established itself as a place where crime writers, memoirists and debut novelists sit comfortably alongside poets, storytellers and performers. In past years visitors have ranged from established names with shelves of bestsellers to first-time writers fresh from publication. The 2025 programme promises the same variety: crime fiction, cosy mysteries, speculative storytelling, creative workshops and even a literary cream tea.
But it is also a festival with a strong community feel. It is rooted in the East Riding’s libraries and run with the support of Arts Council England, designed as much to inspire new readers and writers as to entertain the faithful. This is not just a series of headline events but a chance to discover new voices, meet fellow readers and remind ourselves that books remain a vital part of our cultural life.
How to see the full programme and book
The complete line-up, with dates, venues and booking details, is available through the Festival of Words website at www.festivalofwords.co.uk. Tickets can also be booked by phone on 01482 392699.
Whether you are a regular festival-goer or simply curious to see what all the fuss is about, the East Riding Festival of Words is one of the cultural highlights of the year — and Beverley readers have it on their doorstep.