Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival

16 minute drive from Sidmouth. For 2020 the festival will be a mix of virtual and live events,…

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

Curious About Lyme Regis

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Lyme Regis

28 minute drive from Sidmouth
Have fun discovering Lyme Regis with two, quirky, heritage walks with an optional treasure hunt. Buy in booklet or instant download format.…

Dates

From:

29 Mar 2020to24 Oct 2020

From:

25 Oct 2020to27 Mar 2021
Exeter Canal Cruise

Type

Type:

Animal/Wildlife

Exmouth Marina, Exmouth

27 minute drive from Sidmouth.
Join us travelling at a relaxing pace as we sail along Exeter Canal, sit back and soak up the scenery, watch the locks come to life, the…

Dates

From:

19 Sept 2020to19 Sept 2020

From:

25 Sept 2020to25 Sept 2020

From:

25 Sept 2020to25 Sept 2020
First Concert since Lockdown at Sidmouth Parish Church

Type

Type:

Concert

Sidmouth

Sidmouth Parish Church. 3pm. Piano Recital by Dr Brian Golding, playing Beethoven, Schubert, Grovlez and Chopin. Tickets from www.ticketsource.co.uk: £10 Single and £16…

Dates

From:

19 Sept 2020to19 Sept 2020
Apple Presses & Cider Making Workshop

Type

Type:

Food and Drink

Whimple

24 minute drive from Sidmouth
Visit Devon to try the very best of the autumn harvest with a Cider Making Workshop with lunch at the Courtney's Orchards. Courtney's make…

Dates

From:

20 Sept 2020to20 Sept 2020

From:

8 Oct 2020to8 Oct 2020
Exeter Canal Cruise

Type

Type:

Local Culture

Exmouth

27 minute drive from Sidmouth.
Join us travelling at a relaxing pace as we sail along Exeter Canal, sit back and soak up the scenery, watch the locks come to life, the…

Dates

From:

25 Sept 2020to25 Sept 2020

From:

25 Sept 2020to25 Sept 2020
Day Trip to Sidmouth

Type

Type:

Local Culture

Exmouth Marina, Exmouth

27 minute drive from Sidmouth.
Have a great day out in Devon by taking a boat trip to enjoy the Regency town of Sidmouth. Sailing from Exmouth Marina take time to relax…

Dates

From:

26 Sept 2020to26 Sept 2020
LINOCUT PRINTMAKING

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Dunkeswell

21 minute drive from Sidmouth.
With Louise Scammell – website A two day course, both an introduction and exploration of linocut printmaking. We will look at how to…

Dates

From:

28 Sept 2020to29 Sept 2020
MATTHEW BOURNE’S THE RED SHOES

Type

Type:

Screening

LYME REGIS

28 minute drive from Sidmouth.
Winner of two Olivier Awards, The Red Shoes is an ‘utterly enthralling’ (★★★★★ Daily Express) tale of obsession, possession and one…

Dates

From:

4 Oct 2020to4 Oct 2020
Counterfeit Sixties Show

Type

Type:

Concert

Exmouth

27 minute drive from Sidmouth.
Re-live the sounds of the swinging sixties, as Britain's No. 1 tribute show brings alive the magic of the sixties with their tribute to…

Dates

From:

8 Oct 2020to8 Oct 2020
Counterfeit Sixties Show

Type

Type:

Concert

Exmouth

27 minute drive from Sidmouth.
Re-live the sounds of the swinging sixties, as Britain's No. 1 tribute show brings alive the magic of the sixties with their tribute to…

Dates

From:

8 Oct 2020to8 Oct 2020
Farmers Market

Type

Type:

Market

LYME REGIS

28 minute drive from Sidmouth.
Launching this August (2020) with both Summer and Winter locations!
Due to the recent lockdown, lots of our LRDT projects had to be…

Dates

From:

9 Oct 2020to9 Oct 2020
Sidmouth Science Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Sidmouth

Sidmouth Science Festival at Home.
Enjoy the 2020 Sidmouth Science Festival from the comfort of your own home. This year we are unable to put on our usual packed programme…

Dates

From:

9 Oct 2020to18 Oct 2020
EXHIBITION ON SCREEN: FRIDA KAHLO

Type

Type:

Screening

LYME REGIS

This highly engaging film takes us on a journey through the life of one of the most prevalent female icons: Frida Kahlo.
Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and…

Dates

From:

20 Oct 2020to20 Oct 2020
ADAM SWEET - 'SINK OR SWIM' Album Launch

Type

Type:

Music

LYME REGIS

Lyme’s own blues rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Adam Sweet launches his 2020 album ‘Sink or Swim’ at his hometown theatre. Here with his full band he’ll be performing…

Dates

From:

23 Oct 2020to23 Oct 2020
Exeter Pretty Muddy & Pretty Muddy Kids Cancer Research UK

Type

Type:

Family

Exeter

We all have a reason to enter the Race for Life.
Race for Life Pretty Muddy is our brilliant muddy obstacle course. Scramble over the A-frame. Crawl through the mud pit.…

Dates

From:

24 Oct 2020to24 Oct 2020
Exeter Race for Life 5 & 10k Cancer Research UK

Type

Type:

Family

Exeter

35 minute drive from Sidmouth.
We all have a reason to enter the Race for Life. Whether cancer has affected you or someone close to you, you're motivated to beat it –…

Dates

From:

25 Oct 2020to25 Oct 2020
Ottery St Mary - Tar Barrels

Type

Type:

Show/Display

Ottery St Mary

14 minute drive from Sidmouth.
Every year, for reasons lost in antiquity, the Flaming Tar Barrels are carried through the streets of Ottery St Mary to the delight of…

Dates

From:

5 Nov 2020to5 Nov 2020
GENO WASHINGTON AND THE RAM JAM BAND

Type

Type:

Music

LYME REGIS

28 minute drive from Sidmouth.
This R&B and soul legend arrived in the 1960s as part of the US Air Force. He caused a sensation singing with R&B acts Georgie Fame and…

Dates

From:

7 Nov 2020to7 Nov 2020
THE JERSEYS - OH WHAT A NITE!

Type

Type:

Music

LYME REGIS

28 minute drive from Sidmouth.
We celebrate the timeless music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Incredible Falsettos, beautiful acapella singing, and authentic…

Dates

From:

11 Nov 2020to11 Nov 2020
SCOTT MATTHEWS

Type

Type:

Music

LYME REGIS

28 minute drive from Sidmouth.
We're delighted to welcome the Ivor Novello award-winning singer songwriter for a very special solo concert.
If there’s one quality…

Dates

From:

13 Nov 2020to13 Nov 2020

Don't miss

Sidmouth Literary Festival

Sun, Sea, Books

Activities that won’t break the bank

Never too many books

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