Has anyone been to the Cheltenham literary festival?

[BarbaraUsher]

I wasn’t quite sure which section to put this in. I just wondered if it would be worth a visit for the day?
I wasn’t sure what to expect. If you’ve been, could you describe it to me please?

I've been a few times for specific events - booked in advance. There are lots of free events too.
There is a festival village in Montpellier gardens with food, drinks, free events, book stalls. Many of the free activities are family based. Characters from children’s books are there and various craft activities for children.
Some events are in the tents, some are in the town hall and Waterstones has events too and I’m pretty sure that DD went to an event in a restaurant and food/cocktail was included.

Restaurants around the area are busy and may have such as jazz nights.

There is quite a buzz and I’ve always enjoyed myself

It’s been a good few years since I was last there, but this description will still be valid. The format is no different to other festivals.

A programme of events is published, featuring a mixture of ‘big’ names, a mixture of ‘name’ being interviewed, giving readings and other ‘events’. Book signings, a book shop. An exhibition or two. A poetry competition. Children’s events.

You read the programme, book tickets for the events you want to attend. Make your own arrangements for food and if necessary accommodation. There is always a temptation to over book events but typically less is more. If you leave it till you get there to book you may find the more popular events sold out.

Does that help at all? You could look at the previous your’s programme to get a feel for the sort of things that might be included .

Well, depends if there’s a writer you’re particularly interested in doing an event, surely? I think the only event I’d be interested in from this year’s lineup would be Helen Garner, but YMMV, obviously.

I live near there and have been a volunteer in the past. It can be a great day out. If you want to see popular authors and raconteurs, you need to book their sessions. Though there are some book signings from time to time. There are events for kids, adults, whole families.
One of the best sessions we went to a few years ago was a Julia Donaldson reading of the gruffalo - it was amazing for kids and parents.

Be aware, if travelling between the evening of Fri 16th and morning of mon19th Oct - the final weekend of the festival - the M5 is shut between J11 (Cheltenham) and J12 (Gloucester) - completely closed, both directions for a bridge removal.

Local roads will be chaotic.

Do you generally visit and enjoy literary events and talks? Hay Festival, Toppings bookshop, Oxford lit fest etc? I used to go to Hay every year, I now go to Toppings frequently and I've been to Oxford and others and Cheltenham once and I agree they're all very similar in format and offer similar experiences and if it's your thing you'll love it and yes it's definitely worth it for a day, I've done a day at Hay a few times.
I think if you love books and talking about books and hearing writers talk about books it's a great buzz! And if you can find three or more events all on the same day that you can splice together it's a great day out.
Who are you thinking of seeing?

Just looked up the Helen Garner event, she's participating remotely not in person. I was hoping she was over here and doing more than one event and I might catch her but sadly not so.

Despite being a bookaholic I’ve never been to a literary festival so I’m excited! I was too late to the party so lots of things are sold out but I have a ticket to see Kate Atkinson

Oh, really? Her diaries have been one of my best reading experiences of the last few years. I like her fiction, too, but those were incredible….

A lot of events sell out on the release date now.
Way back in the early days you could still get tickets on the day, or the organisers/volunteers would find a way to squeeze in a couple of "standing" by the door/tent flap.

Have fun! And say hello to the volunteers, all wear a bright t-shirt and are full of info about the events and local knowledge.

@MaeshoweDragon Hopefully now I have bought a ticket I’ll be on the mailing list for next year.

First time I went to Hay, back in the day about 25 years ago when it was THE lit fest and there weren't that many of them anyway, I was quite beside myself with excitement!
I hope you get bitten by the lit fest bug and have a lovely time. If you can go next year for a few days to one you might find, like I did, that it's like being in some kind of magical parallel universe where everyone reads books and values ideas and discussion and getting excited about books and ideas. Bill Clinton famously called Hay 'The Woodstock of the mind'!

Have a fabulous time - come back and tell us about it! 📚📙📘📚📒📗