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Sidmouth Literary Festival

Every year Sidmouth welcomes bibliophiles from all over the country to the town’s literature festival, a celebration of all things bookish with workshops, talks and of course, the chance to buy bestsellers and obscure titles alike. The festival has taken place every summer since 2015 after being founded by Wayne Winstone, owner of Winstone’s Books (of which there is a branch in the town), Di Bowerman, Jane Corey and many others who are both fans of books and work in the industry.

Devon, and by extension, Sidmouth, has long inspired authors and poets with its beautiful scenery and fascinating history, making this region the best for hosting Literary Festivals. The world’s most famous crime writer, Agatha Christie is from the county and J R R Tolkein who has wowed generations with his Lord of the Rings books had a holiday home in Sidmouth, at which he wrote some of the story’s best loved passages. If that wasn’t enough of an indication of the region’s credentials, the Regency feel of the town is almost like stepping into a Jane Austen novel – perfect for a weekend talking about books!

Sun, Sea, Books

Sidmouth Literary Festival – Sun, Sea, Books is the must visit event for anyone who loves reading, writing or generally being creative. Each year, the festival brings big names in publishing to Sidmouth for two days of fascinating discussion.

Taking place at venues all over the town including some of the grand Regency hotels, local churches, theatres and other iconic venues, you’re never too far away from a bookish activity when visiting Sidmouth in June. Previous attendees of the festival have included authors such as Adele Parks, Bryony Gordon and Terry Waite, with workshops and activities ranging from how to get published to where to find inspiration and motivation to write your own bestseller. The 2019 line-up included Sidmouth’s own author Jane Corry who was joined by Lesley Pearse, the multi best selling author and Ruth Ware.

Activities that won’t break the bank

While there are some aspects of the festival that carry a charge many of the events and workshops are free to attend – you can find out more about the most recent news and details about prices on the festival’s official website: sidmouthlitfest.co.uk

Tickets for Sidmouth Literary Festival events are also available from Winstone’s book shop on Sidmouth High Street or online here, Sidmouth’s Tourist Information Centre on Ham Lane and Sidmouth Library which is on Blackmore Drive.

For more information, email sidmouthlitfest1@gmail.com or visit one of the above.

Never too many books

If you are a big fan of books, Sidmouth’s Literary Festival is the place to be this summer, but it isn’t the only bookish event you can enjoy. Nearby Budleigh Salterton also has an annual literature festival which has been running for over ten years. The Festival is supported by author Hilary Mantel who is the Honorary President and regularly appears at the festival to speak on panels and run workshops.

Find out more information here.

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Ongoing Events

Meditation for Inner Peace

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Sidmouth

Sessions include a talk and practical guided meditations.
You can attend any or all the classes - just drop in!
Everyone welcome.
£6 per class. Please see poster for…

Dates

From:

19 May 2022to19 May 2022
Sidmouth Sea Fest 2022 Friday Fundraising Party Night

Type

Type:

Music

Sidmouth

Brilliantly diverse curation of live music and DJs to enchant, entertain and excite! Bring your dancing shoes, get ready to party!

Dates

From:

20 May 2022to20 May 2022
Meet Picasso's Muse: Artist Lydia Corbett and Isabel Coulton

Type

Type:

Talk or Lecture

Sidmouth

A rare opportunity to meet the woman who inspired Picasso's 'Sylvette' series. For more information, please call 01395 515551 or email mail@kennawayhouse.org.uk

Dates

From:

20 May 2022to20 May 2022
Sidmouth Sea Fest

Type

Type:

Festival

Sidmouth

The Sea Fest main event (free to all) on Saturday 21st May will kick off at 10am with an eclectic mix of art, craft, local groups, music, dance and literature and…

Dates

From:

21 May 2022to21 May 2022
Sidmouth Toy & Model Museum

Type

Type:

Family

Sidmouth

Sidmouth Toy & Model Museum open from 23rd May to 11th June, 10.00 to 17.00 (excluding Sundays). An opportunity to discover a world of vintage and modern toys and to…

Dates

From:

23 May 2022to11 June 2022
Meditation for Inner Peace

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Sidmouth

Everyone welcome! Sessions include a talk and practical guided meditations.
Attend any or all classes - just drop in!

Dates

From:

26 May 2022to26 May 2022
Curiouser and Curiouser - An Extraordinary Exhibition

Type

Type:

Art

Sidmouth

Original artwork, prints, cards, handmade crafts.
Live demonstrations, meet the artists, Q&A sessions...
For more information, visit www.fairiewoodart…

Dates

From:

27 May 2022to5 June 2022
Spring Art Sale

Type

Type:

Art

Sidmouth

Art Sale curated by Richard Gould and Janey Goddard

Dates

From:

27 May 2022to5 June 2022
Sidmouth in Bloom “Meet and Greet” Plant Sale

Type

Type:

Sale

Sidmouth

Sidmouth in Bloom “Meet and Greet” Plant Sale in the Sensory Gardens, the Ham

Dates

From:

28 May 2022to29 May 2022
Spring Nature Trail

Type

Type:

School Holiday Event

Sidmouth

Spot the wildlife along the trail to claim prizes on completion.
Follow the Nature Trail around the sanctuary to discover what animals (besides donkeys) you could find…

Dates

From:

28 May 2022to26 June 2022
Sidmouth Town Band Summer Concerts

Type

Type:

Seasonal

Sidmouth

Sidmouth Town Band will once again begin their summer concerts on 29th May at 8pm and will then play every Sunday, from 8pm until 4th September. Find out more about the town…

Dates

From:

29 May 2022to4 Sept 2022
Sidmouth International Jazz & Blues Festival

Type

Type:

Jazz

Sidmouth

“Good music is good no matter what kind of music it is.” Miles Davis
For more information about our hugely exciting plans for the Sidmouth International Jazz & Blues…

Dates

From:

1 June 2022to5 June 2022
Exploring Shakespeare's Women

Type

Type:

Poetry & Literature

Sidmouth

An exciting day discovering the role of women in Shakespeare's work, with Madeleine Birch.

Dates

From:

8 June 2022to8 June 2022
Atmospheric Oils. Jenny Aitken. East Devon Art Academy.

Type

Type:

Art

Sidmouth

Jenny provides thoroughly informative teaching, with the overriding goal of people enjoying themselves! She wants people to feel encouraged, enabled and challenged. Includes…

Dates

From:

16 June 2022to17 June 2022
Watercolour Landscapes. Steve Hall. At East Devon Art Academy.

Type

Type:

Art

Sidmouth

Learn from this popular and well-known watercolour artist. With a mixture of demonstrations, en plein air and studio work, Steve will guide you through the completion of two…

Dates

From:

21 June 2022to23 June 2022
Sidmouth in Bloom June Open Gardens Event

Type

Type:

Nature

Sidmouth

Dates

From:

23 June 2022to27 June 2022
Meditation for Inner Peace

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Sidmouth

Everyone welcome! Sessions include a talk and practical guided meditations.
Attend any or all classes - just drop in!

Dates

From:

23 June 2022to23 June 2022
Meditation for Inner Peace

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Sidmouth

Everyone welcome! Sessions include a talk and practical guided meditations.
Attend any or all classes - just drop in!

Dates

From:

23 June 2022to23 June 2022
Meditation for Inner Peace

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Sidmouth

Everyone welcome! Sessions include a talk and practical guided meditations.
Attend any or all classes - just drop in!

Dates

From:

30 June 2022to30 June 2022
Oil Painting en Plein Air. Roger Dellar. At East Devon Art Academy.

Type

Type:

Art

Sidmouth

Paint landscapes in oils with this acclaimed artist. Composition, colour mixing, and paint handling will be dealt with as well as the importance of good brushwork. £195 for…

Dates

From:

2 July 2022to4 July 2022