Bridport Literary Festival

03/09/2026

With just over one week to go until bookings open for BridLit 2026 on 11 September, we’re turning our attention to the weird, wonderful, and folkloric side of the programme.

Whether it’s a desire for grounded traditions as technology rockets us into an unknown future, or a need for a shared mythology to build connection and community, the recent surge of interest in folklore has certainly inspired some brilliant writing. If you find yourself yearning for Britain’s forgotten folk history and enigmatic global mythologies, here’s our guide to a folkloric BridLit.

31/08/2026

We love brunch! Who doesn’t? When you’re out in rural Dorset, however, it can be hard to come across perfectly poached eggs and a trendy flat white. That’s where Soulshine steps in, providing Dorset locals with their fix of avocado toast and shakshuka.

If you’re visiting Bridport for Bridport Literary Festival, we predict you’ll spend most of your stay (outside of our events, of course) in Soulshine.

Whether it’s for brunch (we really can’t get enough), coffee, or an evening of small, delicious plates and wine, Soulshine will quickly become your favourite. Great ambiance, a wonderful, smiley team, and vibrant produce all come together for that Soulshine magic.

Love West Dorset? Plan your autumnal getaway to the south coast and join us for Bridport Literary Festival from 6-14 November. Explore the programme at the link in bio, from icons Mary Berry and Debbie McGee, to fiction stars Patrick Gale and Rebecca Perry, to big thinkers Sarah O’Connor and Oliver Bullough.

28/08/2026

It’s here…

We’re thrilled to share the 2026 Bridport Literary Festival programme, our biggest and most varied to date with over 70 events.

Click here to explore the line up 🔗 https://www.bridlit.com/whats-on/day-by-day/

Or, head to the Bridport Ticket Office, Art Centre, or most local venues and institutions to get your hands on a physical copy of your own.

Speakers are set to include Mary Berry, Rebecca Perry, Jonathon Freedland, Zakia Sewell, Patrick Gale, Debbie McGee, and many, many more.

Bookings open on 11 September 2026 at bridlit.com. Fancy two weeks priority booking? Become a Friend of the Festival to book today. https://www.bridlit.com/support-us/become-a-friend/

Our immense gratitude to Paul Blow for this year’s illustration, and to Marion Taylor, Bridport’s much-loved illustrator, for offering BridLit’s covers for so many years 🎨

We can’t wait to welcome readers from far and wide to West Dorset this autumn.

27/08/2026

It’s the spot for coffee and small plates in the day, but make sure you stick around as the light dims over the booths in the cocktail bar (or the tables are pushed aside for another legendary after-hours event 🕺).

📍 Mercato, Bridport

Are you a lover of Dorset? Then we’ve found the right audience! Here at Bridport Literary Festival, we’re looking to find more people who adore Dorset as much as we do, helping us expand our tight cultural community and bring people together in the name of our favourite thing – books! Sign up to our newsletter to join us 📚

10/08/2026

Our new Festival Director, Adrian Turpin, is gearing up for his first BridLit this November. Before festival season gets into full swing, we stole a few minutes of his time to ask four quick-fire questions, finding out about unforgettable authors, what makes a great literary festival, and why life is better with chips on West Bay beach.

22/07/2026

Your next chapter starts here. Every year, BridLit awards two local students a bursary of £3,000 a year over their higher education journey. It's just one of the ways we invest in our corner of Dorset, helping it remain an inspiring place to live and grow.

We’re proud to say that this summer marks the graduation of our first bursary recipients. Medwin Stephen studied Chemical Engineering at Cambridge, and is now moving on to his Master’s degree. He recently wrote: "Thank you very much for all the support... I cannot encompass the extent of my gratitude enough."

We’re looking for students who are creative, motivated, and ready to write their own story. Know someone who fits the bill? Tag them below, and head to this link for information on how to apply: https://www.bridlit.com/our-impact/bursaries/

📆 Deadline: 20 August

11/06/2026

We are seeking a brilliant bookkeeper who loves the world of books. bridlit.com/about/festival-team/

14/05/2026

Love books, audiences and great storytelling? We’re looking for a Digital Communications Officer to join the BridLit team.

18/11/2025

11/11/2025

A triumphant tribute to Tanya. ❤️❤️❤️

Bridport’s 21st literary festival was a brilliant success. From poetry to politics and nature writing to bestselling fiction, the festival – affectionately known as BridLit - was a fitting tribute to its director, the late Tanya Bruce-Lockhart, who died suddenly earlier this year. Speakers inclu...