Literary Line Up Revealed
The Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival is back for another year and with a whole host of literary stars. From poets Brian Bilston to Donna Ashworth to the famous faces of Gyles Brandreth and Rory Bremner – no name but a few! Running from 1 to 10 May 2026, there are various venues across Royal Tunbridge Wells hosting some of the biggest names in literature. We’ve put together our guide to this year’s literary festival so you don’t miss a thing!
Somewhere a Boy and a Bear – Happy Birthday to Winnie the Pooh – with Gyles Brandreth
4 May at Calverley Grounds
In this new biography Gyles Brandreth tells the remarkable story of A A Milne – and of the ‘bear of very little brain’ who went on to become a global phenomenon.
Drawing on his friendship with Milne’s son, the real Christopher Robin, Gyles Brandreth has produced a revealing and intimate portrait of a prolific author whose legacy came to be defined by his most famous creation, and of the divided Milne family who for many years had a conflicted relationship with the iconic bear.
An Audience with Rory Bremner
Head to the Assembly Hall Theatre for what promises to be an unmissable hour of impressions, side-splitting humour and fascinating anecdotes, served alongside personal insight and reflection.
Margaret Thatcher – Iain Dale, in conversation with Mike Martin MP
9 May at Trinity Theatre
Author, journalist and satirist Iain Dale joins Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin to discuss his short biography of Margaret Thatcher. Published in 2025, it aims to introduce her legacy to a new generation, covering her 1979 election as a pivotal turning point, her key role in ending the Cold War, and her domestic economic reforms.
Johnny Ball – My Previous Life in Comedy, plus a few stories that must be told!!
10 May at Trinity Theatre
Join television personality, writer and populariser of mathematics Johnny Ball, to talk about his recently published autobiography (volume 2) “Stories that must be told”.
Hear about the highs and lows of Johnny’s years in the entertainment industry, tales from his stand up comedian years and his seventeen years as BBC TV presenter.
For poetry lovers
Brian Bilston
1 May at Trinity Theatre
Coined the Banksy of poetry, Brian Bilston will take audiences through the how’s, whys and what’s of reading, writing and enjoying poetry every day.
Donna Ashworth and Davina McCall
4 May at The Assembly Hall Theatre
Join Sunday Times No.1 bestselling poet Donna Ashworth and journalist and presenter Davina McCall MBE for an uplifting and deeply personal evening including readings from Donna, an audience meditation, and space for questions.
Later Life Letter – an evening with Luke Wright
5 May at The Forum
Later Life Letter tells the story of Luke Wright’s adoption – the life he leads, and the one he might have done.
What’s it like to stumble across your birth mother on Facebook? How do you honour the parents who have raised you while satisfying a curiosity about where you came from? Is it telling that you married a social worker?
Wright navigates his audience through a warm and honest hour of poems and stand-up with the wit, pathos, and silliness that has made him one of the most popular live poets in England.
For young readers
Winnie the Pooh Trail
4 May at Calverley Grounds
Winnie the Pooh is having a party to celebrate his birthday! Follow the clues to find all the friends he has invited. A fun, free activity for all the family – and a small prize for every completed trail!
Get your trail sheet from the Festival book-shop on the day and bring it back once it has been completed to claim your prize.
I Don’t Want A Werewolf on my Sofa
4 May in Calverley Grounds
Join local author and musican Dylan Holloway as he reads his magical, rhyming story ‘I Don’t Want a Werewolf Sleeping on my Sofa’. A wizard and a werewolf arrive at an unsuspecting family’s home, asking for a place to stay, when a curious mix of chaos and kindness unfolds.
With playful rhymes, colourful illustrations and a heartwarming twist, ‘I Don’t Want a Werewolf Sleeping on My Sofa!’ is a magical tale of kindness, acceptance, and seeing beyond the surface.
A Crafty Drop In
4 May at Calverley Grounds
A make and take session for all the family – suitable for anyone who likes to mess about and have fun with paints, glitter and stickers. Come and join artist, illustrator and ceramicist Sioux Bradshaw and just see where your imagination takes you. As part of our celebration of Winnie the Pooh’s birthday, our activites today are inspired by the 100 Acre Wood and the creatures that live there.
A ticket is needed for each person, child or adult as we cannot exceed capacity. People can drop in on the day if there is space in the tent!
There’s a Monster in Your Show
6 & 7 May at Trinity Theatre
A group of performers are preparing to start their show, but quickly discover they are not alone on stage. Little Monster wants to be part of the fun too! With an invitation to his friends, Dragon, Alien and Unicorn to join him, you can expect comedy and chaos as they help to create a magical show, learning about the joy of books and friendship along the way.
A high-energy 55-minute adventure featuring lively original music, this show is the perfect introduction to live theatre.
Jeff The Snake and His Fabulous Friends
4 May at Calverley Grounds
Bring your little ones along to hear from local author Johanna Turner read from her new children’s book – a joyful collection of beautifully illustrated animal characters, brought to life through playful, engaging poetry.
For aspiring writers
Nature and Writing – a workshop for writers
1 May at The Pump Room
Join writer, editor and nature lover Robin Pirdy for a workshop where she’ll help you the world and put your feelings and observations onto the page. A two-hour workshop followed by one hour to write and discuss your work.
Demystifying Publishing with Anna Davidson
2 May at The Pump Room
Ever wanted to see your own work in print? This session will give you practical tips and help you find the right route to publication.
Poetry Writing Workshops with Georgie Jones
5 May at The Pump Room
Open to all ages and abilities, this workshop is a space to play, reflect and create without pressure or judgement. You’re free to write in whatever form feels right to you (it doesn’t have to be poetry). Expect gentle guidance, supportive prompts and space to let your imagination roam.
Come exactly as you are. We can’t wait to write with you.
For big ideas
2 May at Calverley Grounds
A session chaired by poet and public health professional Jess Mookherjee, exploring how writing can help us respond to and navigate our way in times of rupture.
12:30-13:45 – ‘Witnessing Disaster’ with Jason Strelitz, Dr Claire Cox and Dr Yousif M. Qasmiyeh.
14:00-15:30 – ‘The Intimate Catastrophe’ with Hanna Komar, Dr Jemma Borg, Janice Warman and Dr Claire Cox.
16:00-17:00 – ‘New Narrative Forms’ with Dr Claire Cox, Sarah Salway and Laura Baggaley.
2 May at Calverley Grounds
Exploring our personal world; motherhood, family, inheritance and the private sphere – readings and conversation on writing into family, care, loss, and inherited damage.
• Hanna Komar is a Belarusian poet, translator, writer, and performer.
• Dr Jemma Borg, internationally acclaimed prize-winning poet and author of Wilder. She also has a PhD in human evolutionary genetics.
• Janice Warman, South African-born award-winning writer and journalist, author of These are the Things we Have Lost.
• Dr Claire Cox, author of The Poetry of Disaster: Chernobyl, Katrina, and the Anthropocene
Chair: Jess Mookherjee
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