The much anticipated Cheltenham Literature Festival returns to the famous city this October, and it promises a spectacular array of events and entertainment over the course of the 10 day festival.
Cheltenham has long been a city of culture and diversity. Situated on the western fringe of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it first became a popular holiday and spa resort town when mineral springs were discovered in 1716. There is still a lot of stunning Regency architecture around the city from the 18th and 19th centuries that draws many visitors each year.
It hosts a number of festivals throughout the year, all bringing many big names to the area. October sees the annual Literature Festival return to town and with it comes more than 600 speakers, all experts of their fields, sharing new works, hosting workshops, readings and much, much more.
Impressively, the literature festival is the longest running of its kind in the world, having been established in 1949. Over the years it has received some of the wold’s leading novelists, poets, comedians, historians, actors and even politicians. This is a festival that truly does have a little something for everybody who attends.
Image: © Philip Halling (cc-by-sa/2.0) via Geograph
The Literature Festival takes place over the course of 10 days in a number of popular establishments all across Cheltenham. The elegant Town Hall, which dates from 1902, was once the town’s assembly rooms and now serves as a venue for social events. This year the Parabola Arts Centre and the famous racecourse are among the other venues being used for some of the events.
With a programme of over 500 events, both paid and free, you have a spectacular pick of debates, interviews and talks to choose from. On the website you will find the whole programme with dates, prices and directions. Take a look here.
