Bude Literary Festival 2026:

Words, Wonder & a Cornish Farm Stay

  Wednesday 13 – Sunday 17 May 2026  |  89 Events  |  15 Venues Across Bude & Stratton

Cornwall is famous for dramatic coastlines, surf and cream teas — but this May, something quietly extraordinary is happening in Bude. The Bude Literary Festival 2026 brings some of the UK’s most celebrated authors, comedians, musicians and thinkers to the North Cornish coast for five unmissable days.

Now in its fifth year, the Bude Literary Festival 2026 runs from Wednesday 13th to Sunday 17th May. With 89 events spread across 15 venues in and around Bude and Stratton, it’s bigger and more exciting than ever. Last year almost 5,000 people got involved, and this year the festival is already attracting national attention.

At Woodlands Manor Farm, we’re just six miles from Bude — which makes us the perfect base for a festival break. Imagine spending your days soaking up talks, readings and live performances, then retreating to a beautiful 17th-century Cornish farm each evening. It’s the kind of spring holiday that feeds the soul.

What is the Bude Literary Festival 2026?

Organised by North Coast Arts as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, the Bude Literary Festival 2026 is one of the South West’s most distinctive cultural events. It was originally initiated by Bude Stratton Town Council and has grown year on year. It celebrates the written and spoken word in every form — author talks, poetry, comedy, music, workshops, walks and performances — with something genuinely suited to every age and interest.

Venues range from the iconic Bude Castle and the Parkhouse Centre to the Falcon Hotel, Bude Library, local churches, and even the open-air bandstand. The festival also runs free author workshops in local schools as part of the National Year of Reading 2026, and supports the Read For Good charity, which sends storytellers into children’s hospitals across the UK.

Who’s Headlining in 2026?

The 2026 line-up is genuinely impressive. Highlights include:

• Patrick Gale — one of Cornwall’s most beloved novelists
• Janet Street-Porter — broadcaster, journalist and force of nature
• Mark Steel — comedian and author, presenting ‘The Leopard in my House’ (Wednesday 13th, Parkhouse Centre)
• Adele Parks — Sunday Times bestselling novelist, ‘Our Beautiful Mess’ (Thursday 14th, Falcon Hotel)
• Louise Candlish — crime fiction favourite, ‘A Neighbour’s Guide to Murder’ (Thursday 14th, Falcon Hotel)
• Jo Caulfield — award-winning stand-up comedian
• Rob Newman — comedian and writer
• Nigel Planer — actor and author
• John Crace — Guardian sketch writer and political satirist
• Harry Baker — world poetry slam champion
• The Unthanks — the acclaimed folk duo
• Veronica Henry — ‘The Invitation’, in conversation (Wednesday 13th, Bude Castle)
• Cara Hunter — crime thriller writer
• Grace Spence Green — author and disability activist

…and dozens more. With 89 events to choose from, you could come for the whole five days and still not see everything you’d want to.

Festival Highlights Worth Booking Now

Evening Events at the Parkhouse Centre

The main evening events are the festival’s headline acts — expect big names, full houses and a proper event atmosphere. Mark Steel kicks things off on the opening night (Wednesday 13th) with his new book ‘The Leopard in my House’. These are the tickets to snap up first.

Free Lunchtime Music at the Bandstand

One of the festival’s lovely traditions is the free lunchtime concerts at the Bandstand at Bude Castle — a perfect way to spend a sunny May afternoon with a coffee, completely free of charge. Acts include Annown on Wednesday 13th and The Barrel Tappers on Thursday 14th.

Family Events & Things for Children

The festival is wonderfully family-friendly. Look out for the Big Bude Lit Fest Family Literary Quiz (Tuesday 12th, Falcon Hotel), a Character Treasure Hunt for families at Ebbingford Manor, Play Story on the Bandstand for 3–5 year olds, and a sock puppet workshop linked to The Wind in The Willows in the Secret Garden at the Falcon Hotel. Combine this with a stay at Woodlands where the kids can feed the farm animals each morning, and you have a May half-term to remember.

Literary Walks with Sam Horton

If you love combining the outdoors with culture, the guided Bude Literary Walks with poet Sam Horton are a treat — departing from the Bandstand at the Castle on both Thursday 14th (10am and 3:30pm). A beautiful way to see the town through a literary lens.

Poetry & Spoken Word Open Mic

For something a little more intimate, the ‘Words-Work’ Poetry and Spoken Word Open Mic event at the North Coast Wine Lounge on Wednesday 13th (from 6pm) is a wonderful way to ease into the festival — relaxed, inclusive, and often full of surprises.

Why Stay at Woodlands Manor Farm for the Bude Literary Festival 2026?

The Bude Literary Festival 2026 is all about slowing down and enjoying literature in beautiful surroundings. And there’s nowhere better to do that than a peaceful Cornish farm in the Coombe Valley. Here’s why Woodlands is the ideal festival base:

• Just six miles from Bude — an easy drive or taxi into town for evening events
• Seven cottages to choose from, sleeping 2 to 12, perfect for solo readers, couples, friends’ groups or families
• Two Mongolian glamping yurts with stunning valley views — ideal for a May glamping break alongside the festival
• Indoor heated pool to unwind in after a full day of talks and performances
• Feed the farm animals each morning — the perfect gentle start to a festival day
• Dog-friendly throughout — your four-legged companion is very welcome
• Peaceful woodland walks right on the doorstep when you need a quiet moment between events
• Book direct with us for the best rates: 07887 677 354

    PRACTICAL INFO  

Festival dates: Wednesday 13th – Sunday 17th May 2026

Main venue: The Parkhouse Centre (Ivor Potter Hall), Bude, EX23 8LD

Tickets: wegottickets.com/budeliteraryfestival — or via Bude Library, Bude TIC, or cash on the door

More info: northcoastarts.co.uk

Festival contact: budelitfest@gmail.com

Book Your Bude Literary Festival 2026 Break at Woodlands

May is a wonderful time to visit Cornwall. The summer crowds haven’t arrived yet, the countryside is at its most beautiful, and the Bude Literary Festival 2026 gives you a ready-made programme of brilliant events to enjoy between coastal walks and lazy mornings on the farm.

Availability in May fills up quickly, so if you’re thinking of coming for the festival, don’t leave it too long.

Call: 07887 677 354

Email: enquiries@woodlandsmanorfarm.co.uk

Book direct: www.woodlandsmanorfarm.co.uk

Follow us: facebook.com/woodlandsmanorfarm.co.uk

We look forward to welcoming you to the valley.