Sturminster Newton Literary Festival 2025

Sturminster Newton Literary Festival 2025

The Sturminster Newton Literary Festival is a vibrant celebration of the town’s rich literary heritage and its ongoing contribution to the world of writing. Central to the festival’s ethos is the recognition of three notable writers associated with Sturminster Newton: Thomas Hardy, William Barnes, and Robert Young. Alongside honouring these literary figures, the festival shines a spotlight on contemporary writers from Dorset and the wider Wessex region, as well as nurturing the talents of aspiring writers for the future.

The festival offers a diverse programme that includes talks, workshops, and guided walks, creating opportunities for visitors to engage with literature in dynamic and interactive ways. Collaborative events with local businesses further enrich the festival experience, fostering a strong sense of community and promoting regional writing. Additionally, the recently launched Friends of Sturminster Newton Literary Festival scheme offers supporters early access to the programme, ticket discounts, and even the chance to help select speakers for upcoming events.

Festival Highlights

• Author talk with Damien Lewis on daring SAS escapes
• Conversation with Tracy Chevalier about Venetian glassmakers and suffragette Mary Lowndes
• UK book launch by Australian writers Jonathan and Christine Hainsworth on Susanna Ashley-Cooper and Shakespeare
• Adventurer Jessica Hepburn sharing her record-setting achievements
• Crime writing session with Rachel McLean and Tess Burnett
• Greg Duncan discussing his family’s links to the French Resistance
• Lorraine Gibson exploring Elvis Presley’s fashion legacy
• Cultural afternoon celebrating the town’s Bulgarian and Central European communities with stories and music
• Scenic literary walks, workshops, and a writing competition
• Events honouring Thomas Hardy, William Barnes, and Robert Young