Mere Literary Festival
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Mere Literary Festival
@merefestival.bsky.social
Mere Literary Festival takes place every October. A week full of interest, entertainment and a few surprises. Starts 13th October 2025
We’re searching for a new Festival Director: someone organised, enthusiastic, & ready to take the lead in a collaborative, community-minded way. You don’t need to be a literary expert, just someone with time, energy & a passion for bringing people together
Email us at admin@mereliteraryfestival.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Join storyteller & medieval historian Amy Jeffs in conversation with writer Jeni Bell.
Together, they’ll delve into Old Songs, a stunning new collaboration of words & art inspired by traditional British ballads. mereliteraryfestival.com/product/amy-...
October 11, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Join us on Monday 13th October from 7pm as we kick-off the 2025 Mere Literary festival Season with a Grand Quiz at The Walnut Tree!

All teams will need to be booked through the www.OpenTable.co.uk booking system directly with The Walnut Tree to make sure we can squeeze you in!
October 6, 2025 at 3:02 PM
From award-winners to debut talents, this year’s Literary Festival line-up promises thought-provoking talks, inspiring conversations, and plenty of books to love!
Our local library have very kindly provided a selection of the books we are featuring this year. Pop in and have a browse!
October 3, 2025 at 11:01 AM
The Mere Literary Festival are honoured to have HM Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Dame Sarah Troughton DCVO join us for a conversation between Radhika Howarth & Sarah Rudder on 15 October at 2pm.
If you'd like to join us, please book here: mereliteraryfestival.com/product/radh...
October 1, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Joanne Rush reads us an excerpt from her book Dancing on Knives, which was nominated for the 2025 Booker Prize.

We're fortunate to have Joanne join us for the #merelitfest2025, book your tickets to meet her here: mereliteraryfestival.com/product/joan...
September 29, 2025 at 4:28 PM
We have only a handful of tickets left for Tim Bouverie's event on the 14th October. 💥

Allies at War offers a fresh perspective on the Second World War and the origins of the Cold War... don't miss it!

mereliteraryfestival.com/product/tim-...
September 27, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The Mere Literary Festival is just around the corner, and we’re looking for friendly volunteers to help us during festival week!

If you’ve got a few hours to spare between 13–19 October and would like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you.

Please email: volunteers@mereliteraryfestival.com
September 26, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Join us for a very special event on 18 Oct, as Helena Kelly brings the world of Austen to life.

Helena will be talking about her new book and afternoon tea will be served by the Mere WI, making this a truly delicious way to spend your Saturday.

mereliteraryfestival.com/product/hele...
September 21, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Join us for a conversation between former diplomat Tim Willasey-Wilsey & Lt Gen David Leakey.
Tim will discuss his book The Spy and the Devil - a riveting tale of espionage, intrigue, & the untold impact of one man's secret mission on the course of history.
mereliteraryfestival.com/pro.../tim-w...
September 18, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Join us on the 16th October for a conversation with Jane Moore, head gardener, writer, & broadcaster, as she speaks with the artist & gardener - Bella Hoare.
Jane is the author of 6 books, & they will talk about these & her new book.
Book your place here:
mereliteraryfestival.com/product/jane...
September 17, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Journalist and historian Tim Bouverie offers a fresh perspective on the Second World War and the origins of the Cold War.
Allies at War is a landmark history of the alliance that won the war and made the peace, despite unstable relationships at its heart.
mereliteraryfestival.com/product/tim-...
September 16, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Are you a lover of The Archers? We have a treat in store for you! Julie Beckett has worked in Ambridge since 1998, and has produced, devised, written, edited and directed countless stories for the show in that time.

mereliteraryfestival.com/product/juli...
September 5, 2025 at 3:12 PM
If you like a murder mystery, with a side of tea and cake, Miss Beeton's Murder Agency is just for you! 🫖 🍰
Meet Sunday Times Bestselling Author @josielloydbooks.bsky.social on 14th October.
Bring your friends!
mereliteraryfestival.com/product/josi...
#josielloyd #missbeetonsmurderagency
September 2, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Colonel John Blashford-Snell has led over 100 expeditions in almost every part of the world, join us as he shares some of his most unbelievable tales from a life of adventure.
mereliteraryfestival.com/product/colo...
#JohnBlashfordSnell #BritishExplorers #MereWiltshire #MereLiteraryFestival
September 1, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Following on from the success of Beneath My Feet: Writers on Walking and Sauntering: Writers Walk Europe, Duncan Minshull brings together over fifty walker-writers who have travelled the world’s seven continents.

mereliteraryfestival.com/product/dunc...

#Globetrotting #DuncanMinshull
August 31, 2025 at 11:39 AM
🎟 SOLD OUT!
Our event with Andrew Lownie is now fully booked 💥
If you missed out, don’t worry, we’ve got a fantastic line-up of other authors joining us at this year’s Festival, with talks covering everything from history and politics to nature and cuisine.

mereliteraryfestival.com/shop/
August 26, 2025 at 11:49 AM
We have only a handful of tickets left for biographer Andrew Lownie’s appearance on the 15th October. 💥

Since its publication, his latest book has stirred up a storm of interest. If you want to hear the inside story, directly from the author, book now!

mereliteraryfestival.com/product/andr...
August 25, 2025 at 10:39 AM
There are just 10 days left to get your entry in to our Short Story Competition.
Your story must contain this sentence: ‘As I struggled to the top of Castle Hill, I turned and looked below, wondering if anyone would believe my story.’
Details here: mereliteraryfestival.com/festival-wri...
August 21, 2025 at 11:16 AM
The Mere Literary Festival committee are proud to announce a very special and innovative event on Saturday 18th October, so why not join us as we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen with a sumptuous, Regency inspired Afternoon Tea!

mereliteraryfestival.com/product/hele...
August 19, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Not everything that glitters is gold – which is why Ben
Aitken gave London the cold shoulder and went to Preston instead.
And now, he's coming to Mere...book to see him here:
mereliteraryfestival.com/product/ben-...
August 11, 2025 at 3:41 PM
On 4th Oct, the Mere Literary Festival is putting on an event devoted to the Authors & Writers living in our area. So if you've written a book, fiction or non-fiction, published or self-published, adult or children’s, we'd love you to take part!
www.mereliteraryfestival.com/authors-and-writers-fair
August 5, 2025 at 11:00 AM
The Daily Mail has printed an exclusive article, written by the author of Entitled - The Rise and Fall of The House Of York.
Andrew Lownie gives a glimpse into the explosive claims that will be revealed in his book.
He joins us in October. Book here: mereliteraryfestival.com/product/andr...
August 2, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Last chance for 10% off!
Our early bird ticket offer ends today.
Book now and join us for a wonderful celebration of books, ideas, and brilliant authors.
Head to our website to grab your discounted tickets before midnight!
mereliteraryfestival.com
July 31, 2025 at 7:33 AM
James Long's new novel, The Pepys Conspiracy centres on the extraordinary events which beset Pepys & Balty St.Michel in 1679, it was hatched from years of research & a growing awareness of what may have happened to fill the puzzling gaps in the real story.
mereliteraryfestival.com/product/jame...
July 25, 2025 at 1:16 PM