In early October, as the leaves turn to embers and the air gains its crisp edge,
Cheltenham opens its doors to the world of words.
For ten days, the town is
transformed — cafés fill with whispered plot discussions, bookshops double their
displays, and Montpellier Gardens becomes the beating heart of literary
celebration.
The Cheltenham Literature Festival is not just Britain’s oldest literary festival
(founded in 1949) — it is one of its most beloved. It began as a modest gathering
of writers and readers, and has grown into an international stage that has hosted
everyone from Sir Salman Rushdie to Dame Judi Dench.
From 10 to 19 October 2025, the festival spills into venues across town: the Town
Hall, Everyman Theatre, and Imperial Square.
The Festival Village springs up in
Montpellier Gardens, its white tents housing everything from author talks and
workshops to book signings and panel debates
But this year, let’s linger in one particular corner: the Children’s Festival.
Here, magic is not a metaphor — it’s in the air. Beloved children’s authors read aloud,
illustrators bring characters to life on giant boards, and storytelling tents bubble
with laughter. It’s a place where the youngest readers discover that books are not
just pages — they’re doors
Beyond the scheduled events, there is the joy of festival wandering.
You might find
yourself sipping coffee beside your favourite novelist, overhearing lively debates in
the park, or being pulled into a pop-up poetry reading.
Cheltenham in October is a town wearing its literary soul on its sleeve. And when
the festival lights dim, the stories don’t end — they linger in the air, in the pages
tucked under arms, and in the minds of all who came to listen.