Festival 2026 'At a Glance'

On the day that Chain Reaction is published, join us for an evening with Lee Child and his brother Andrew, as they talk about their seventh universally acclaimed collaboration.

What do these two authors have in common? As well as being bestselling and award-winning writers they are also official authors of brand-new books set in the world of the one and only James Bond.

A firm festival tradition, this evening of poetry and performance returns once again.

Hear the award-winning photographer and author behind the lavishly illustrated Forty Fells discuss some of the highlights from their book and share how much the Lake District means to them.

Join children's author Jake Hope for a fun selection of animal themed stories and activities to engage young children. Suitable for ages 3-8

Join journalist Monisha Rajesh as she explores the art of slow travel by train, detailing her experiences on a journey all around the world. All aboard for a warm and witty ride!

The 2026 Gwenda Matthews Talk - Join us to hear Sarah discussing Helm, which was inspired by the dramatic views of the fells and skies from her childhood home, and was 20 years in the making.

Join Charlie to hear him talk about his extraordinary walk through the most inhospitable place on earth and his powerful insights into a deeply troubled – and troubling – nation.

Hear Karen Lloyd talking about her latest book, Earthworks, which explores the hidden life of habitats and species from the rainforests of Costa Rica to the Balkans and Scotland, including in the Lake District where she lives, assessing our human impact on the lives of creatures whose survival is deeply intertwined with our own.

Join us to hear about one of the great untold stories of heroism during the Second World War by ordinary civilians, who risked their lives to thwart a Nazi invasion of Britain – a story of assassins and secret listeners.

These Wild English by Cumbrian born documentary maker Nicola Wilding, is her deeply personal memoir of three generations of her working-class family from the Eden Valley, as they struggle with the forces reshaping modern Britain. It will change how you see the divisions of our age. Nicola will be in conversation with James Rebanks, author and Lake District farmer.

Come along for tea and cake with author Kirstie Pelling, as she talks about her novel, Sink or Swim, a spicy small-town romantic comedy about discovering what – and who – makes a home.