Fowey Literary Festival 2026 Programme Announced

Booking is now open for the 2026 edition of The du Maurier Fowey Literary Festival, with a wide-ranging programme set to take place from 1st to 9th May.

The festival brings together authors, journalists, historians and performers for nine days of events celebrating literature, music and the arts in Fowey.

Big Names Across Literature and Media

This year’s line-up features a mix of well-known voices and emerging talent.

Historian Andrew Lownie will discuss Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, while journalist Sarah Vine shares insights from her memoir How Not to Be a Political Wife. Former BBC Breakfast presenter Dr Sian Williams will also appear, speaking about her career as a psychologist and her book The Power of Anxiety: How to Ride the Worry Wave.

Sir Jeremy Hunt opens the festival in conversation with Iain Dale, focusing on global forces and Britain’s future role. Novelists including Patrick Gale, Adele Parks, Harriet Tyce, Liz Fenwick, Emma Lloyd-Cowell, Patrick Charnley and Fern Britton are also set to discuss their latest work.

Film critic Mark Kermode and radio producer Jenny Nelson will join Petroc Trelawny to explore movie music, while Lord Peter Ricketts will speak with Iain Dale about British diplomats during the Second World War.

Music, Theatre and Special Events

Alongside the literary programme, the festival includes a number of musical and performance events.

The Overtones will headline the opening night concert, while jazz pianist Craig Milverton and his band lead a dedicated jazz evening. There will also be an ABBA tribute night with Take A Chance On Us, and a performance combining music and literature from Davey Hal.

A Jane Austen inspired event, Sense & Musicality, will take place at the Harbour Fowey Hotel, featuring soprano Penny Appleyard and square-piano specialist Jonathan Delbridge.

Theatre also features in the programme, with Orwell – The Road to 1984, a one-man play performed by Mark Stratford and directed by Guy Smith, scheduled for Saturday 2nd May from 8pm to 10pm at Fowey Town Hall.

Walks, Workshops and More

Beyond talks and performances, visitors can take part in foraging walks with Rachel Lambert, guided du Maurier walks, literature discussions, writing workshops and art trails. A comedy evening with Kernow King is also included in this year’s line-up.

Festival’s Importance to Fowey

Paula Pearson, Chair of The du Maurier Festival Society, said: “This year’s festival has a fantastic line up. Whether it’s history or politics, fiction or films, music or art, there really is something for everyone and we’re incredibly grateful to our Festival Director, Brenda Daly, for curating such a wonderful nine days of events.

“The festival is very important to Fowey, celebrating our literary history whilst bringing many people into our beautiful town. A big thank you to our amazing team of volunteers and the local community for their continuing support.”

How to Book

Full details of the programme, including dates, times and locations, are available on the festival website. Tickets can be booked online via the official festival website, with more information on events available here.