About
Founded in 1949 — the first literature festival of its kind anywhere — Cheltenham fills a temporary tented village in Montpellier Gardens with around 500 events across ten days. Past line-ups have included Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie, Bernardine Evaristo, Ian McEwan and Hilary Mantel.
A separate Family Festival runs in parallel for younger readers. Day tickets available; many of the most-wanted events sell out within hours of the public on-sale in early September.
In Cheltenham
An elegant Regency town at the western foot of the Cotswolds, home to four major festivals and the Gold Cup race meeting.
Read the Cheltenham guide →