A former Supreme Court president, a MasterChef winner and journalists who have spent their careers questioning the powerful are heading to Wells this October.

Wells Festival of Literature returns to Cedars Hall from Friday, 16 October, to Saturday, 24 October, with Stephen Sackur, Jonathan Dimbleby, Lady Hale, Patrick Gale and Ping Coombes among the speakers. Across nine days, the programme moves from politics and history to fiction, food, science and poetry.

But the festival's reach extends well beyond its audiences. The volunteer-run charity works with more than 50 Somerset schools, using its profits to fund books, author visits and activities that encourage children to read.

The festival sponsors Wells Nub News' What's On coverage. For this newsletter exclusive, we have brought together the programme highlights and practical details—including a booking deadline arriving before the festival begins.

The names to look out for

Patrick Gale opens the festival on Friday, 16 October, followed by Stephen Sackur at 7.45pm. The former HARDtalk presenter will discuss Hard Truth, his examination of investigations that exposed wrongdoing and the role of independent journalism.

The wider programme includes Jonathan Dimbleby, historian Katja Hoyer, archaeologist Jess Venner and author Amy Jeffs. Wine writer Oz Clarke, poet Henry Normal, Andrea Wulf and Dan Cruickshank also feature.

The final Saturday brings Ping Coombes to the stage at 10.30am to discuss Rice. Lady Hale follows at 2pm with With the Law on Our Side, exploring the legal system through the experiences of people whose cases have reached the courts.

Tickets: What you will actually pay

Standard tickets cost £12.50 per event, with a £1 booking fee bringing the total to £13.50. Student tickets cost £6 before the fee, while Festival Friends pay £10 before the fee.

You can choose individual events through the festival programme, with booking handled by Cedars Hall's ticketing system. There is no need to book a whole day to hear a particular speaker.

Telephone bookings are available on 01749 834483, weekdays between 9.30am and 12.30pm. Unsold tickets will be available at the door before events, payable by cash or card.

The free event anyone can attend

You do not have to buy a ticket—or enter a writing competition—to attend the poetry readings and prize-giving on Monday, 19 October.

The afternoon runs from 2pm to 5pm, bringing shortlisted writing and competition results into the festival programme. Admission is free, and seats can be reserved through the competition page.

For those who prefer testing their literary knowledge, Gary Wigglesworth returns to host the quiz on Sunday, 18 October. Tickets cost £8 per person, with teams of six preferred.

The deadline to put in your diary now

The literary lunches offer a chance to meet a speaker before their afternoon event. They cost an additional £12.50 and must be booked by Friday, 9 October.

Sara Wheeler will join lunch guests on Wednesday, 21 October, before discussing Jan Morris: A Life. Kate Williams' lunch takes place on Friday, 23 October, ahead of her talk on Regina: A New History of Women and Power.

Both lunches take place in Cedars House, with the talks following at Cedars Hall. Dietary requirements should be discussed with the box office when booking.

Books, signings and somewhere to eat

Waterstones will run a festival bookshop in Cedars House, across the green from Cedars Hall. Speakers will visit for signing sessions after their events.

Refreshments will be available in the Cedars Hall foyer, and participating Wells restaurants are offering festival dining discounts. Visitors should book ahead, ask for the festival offer and take their tickets with them.

Getting there and getting seated

Free festival parking is available at Mundy's Meadow, accessed from Mountery Road, on a first-come, first-served basis. The walking route continues via Lovers Walk to The Liberty.

Cedars Hall has wheelchair access, with wheelchair and companion seats available through the booking system. A hearing support system is also available, and visitors can ask a steward for a receiver.

What your support makes possible locally

The festival's education work continues throughout the year. Funding covers classroom and library books, author visits, theatre trips, library improvements and transport.

Among the projects it has supported are an author visit for around 300 Year 9 pupils at The Blue School and storytelling involving Wells' Stepping Stones Pre-School. In 2025, more than 1,000 Year 6 children attended its author event at Cedars Hall, with the festival covering attendance and transport costs.

For audiences, October offers a chance to hear writers discuss their work and ideas. For local schools, the proceeds help make the next author visit, book purchase or reading project possible.

More local stories

• New Strawberry Line signs help walkers and cyclists find their way around Wells
• Roadworks near Wells and Street continue as further closures approach

Subscribe to the free Wells Nub News newsletter Get the biggest Wells stories straight to your inbox.