It is with heavy hearts that we are announcing the cancellation of Borderlines Festival 2020.

Normally at this time of year, we would be finalising our programme, booking travel and accommodation for authors and securing venues for events.  The ongoing uncertainty with the Covid-19 pandemic has left us unable to do this and, most importantly, we do not want to put our festivalgoers, authors, committee members & volunteers at risk by running the festival at a time when social distancing is still likely to be in place. 

We realise this will disappoint so many but we're sure you will understand the reasons for our decision. We are already looking forward to welcoming you back for Borderlines 2021, which we promise will be our best year yet!  However, you’ve not seen the last of Borderlines for 2020 – we will continue to have our annual Poetry and Photography competitions. Look out on Facebook and Twitter for details of those competitions soon!

Thankyou from Team Borderlines

Borderlines Book Festival has been developed through partnership working between public and private enterprise. The three partners are: Bookends of Carlisle; Cumbria County Council’s Library Service and Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery Trust.

We are indebted to our major sponsors, Carlisle City Council, The University of Cumbria and Cumbria Life.