Welcome to the Dorchester Literary Festival

From the Festival Director – Janet Gleeson

The tenth Dorchester Literary Festival was a joyous celebration of the written word. Our wonderful patron, Tracy Chevalier joined us to talk about her fascinating new novel the Glassmaker. We were also thrilled that our line up included literary icons such as Pam Ayres, Clare Balding, Alan Hollinghurst, Jonathan Dimbleby, Kate Mosse, Victoria Hislop, Ben Macintyre and many other brilliant authors.

A huge thank you goes to sponsors, volunteers and ticket buyers without whose support the festival wouldn’t be possible.

We’re already hard at work on the 2025 festival, which takes place 18th–25th October, with the Schools’ Programme running from 13th-16th October, so remember to save the dates. If you’re a local author we’re introducing an exciting new event for you – a forum that will take place in the Shire Hall on 16th October. You can come and talk about your book, meet other authors and sell your books.

We’ll start announcing our main lineup in May. Meanwhile we hope you enjoy the photos of this year’s events posted below. Thanks to the brilliant members of the Dorset Camera Club: Peter Downton, Neil Crick, Jane Tearle, Robin Mills and Jeff Hutson for providing a great record of our memorable year.

See you next October!

Best wishes
Janet Gleeson

Download the 2024 brochure here: Dorchester Literary Festival 2024 brochure

Become a Friend Of The Festival

Testimonials for the 2023 festival

Swipe to scroll

Thanks so much for all you do. People have no concept of the enormous amount of work that goes on behind the scenes The Festival. really is getting noticeably better year on year. We can't wait for the 2024 10 year anniversary.

Hay on Wye and Cheltenham better watch out!!!

Caroline

Polly Toynbee and Ed Stourton have been favourite journalists of mine for decades and did not disappoint, nor did Kate Adie – a very astute interviewer who brought out the best in them while slipping in her own contributions.

It would be very difficult to think of ways to improve either of the events I attended. The venue was comfortable, the refreshments were a surprise and very tempting and everything ran exactly to time.

Margaret S

Congratulations on such a successful festival. What a lineup of authors! Your hard work is really appreciated and we look forward to next year. You obviously have a very loyal team behind you, they deserve our thanks also.

Jenny M

Just to let you know that I really enjoyed all seven of the events that I attended. It really stirred up my ageing brain. I look forward to next year's Festival.

Liz G

Everything I attended was excellent – thank you.

Lesley

I attended the Festival for the first time last Friday, for 3 of the speakers… Daniel Finkelstein, Tim Spector & Polly Toynbee. I was very impressed with all three.

I used to attend events at the Cheltenham Literary Festival, but found that gradually more & more T.V. ‘celebrities’ were being featured. The actual literary element seemed to me to be being watered down. So, it was refreshing to read the good spread of ‘literary’ content in your whole programme.

Jane F

Thank you for all your work. It was a great programme this year.

I went on the Hardys walking tour which was excellent – informative and entertaining (helped by the wonderful weather)…. And to Lemn Sissay – what a treat.

Susie M

I attended Angus Waycott’s talk on self publishing in the Museum. The talk was very informative and entertaining and the museum a lovely venue.

Maggie H

We attended about 6 events. All interesting and very well conducted. I think having someone like Kate or Michael to keep authors on topic is a good idea and worked well. Well done.

Roy B

We thoroughly enjoyed Julia Bradbury’s talk, what a wonderful speaker, so inspirational.

Susan A

An excellent festival!

Thank you and the team for organising. I only managed to attend four events but they were all incredibly informative and enlightening. A real range in diversity of themes and topics too.

Brilliant that this event was on my doorstep! I will certainly be booking again next year.

Maggie G

Michael and I loved the festival and were filled with enthusiasm by your speakers. You and Janet have added so much richness to the lives of the people of Dorset. We are looking forward to the 2024 festival.

Barbara

I thought that the talk we went to, on John Le Carre, was excellent. It was well organised, sound, and video was great. The interviewer was very good and the interviewee was interesting and entertaining. Keep up the good work and thank you for putting it on this year.

Joe

The festival was clearly a great success and a very successful partnership between each speaker and all the necessary organisational work.

Along with friends I look forward to 2024!

John H

18th–25th October 2025

Welcome to the Dorchester Literary Festival

From the Festival Director – Janet Gleeson

Event photos from the amazing 2024 festival can be viewed here

Testimonials for the 2023 festival

Our sponsors

From the Festival Director – Janet Gleeson

Main sponsor

Media sponsor

Platinum sponsor

Gold sponsor

Event photos from the amazing 2024 festival can be viewed here

Testimonials for the 2023 festival

Our sponsors