Buckingham Literary Festival

Buckingham Literary Festival Based in beautiful , a festival for authors, dramatists, journalists and big thinkers ����

BuckLitFive | Five days of literary wonder | 10-14 June 2020

✨ Save the date for an extra special in 2027...it’s our 10th Anniversary! ✨We are returning from Thursday 17 to Sunday...
26/07/2026

✨ Save the date for an extra special in 2027...
it’s our 10th Anniversary! ✨

We are returning from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 June.

Even though the 2026 Festival has only just finished, we are already busy with exciting plans to bring you the very best authors.

Sign-up to our newsletter via the link in our bio to be the first to hear more!

🗓️ 17 - 20 June 2027
📍 Buckingham, various locations
👉 Tickets and full programme revealed in early 2027.

Buckingham Tourist Information Centre

🎭 To all those lucky enough to get tickets for the sold-out Shakespeare in the Garden event this Friday, 10 July, don’t ...
08/07/2026

🎭 To all those lucky enough to get tickets for the sold-out Shakespeare in the Garden event this Friday, 10 July, don’t forget to bring:

🧺 a rug (or low-backed chairs)
🍷 a picnic
💧 plenty of water as it’s likely to be one of the hottest days of the year!

Doors open at 5pm
The performance by Castle Theatre Company (CTC) starts at 6pm.
The Willen Ice Cream Company ice cream will also be on sale to keep us all cool🍦

We can’t wait to see you in the lovely gardens of Old Mill House, Maids Moreton.

What a finale to the 2026 on Sunday. 🦖We blasted off on a rip-roaring Astrosaurs adventure with Steve Cole.🐺 Teresa He...
22/06/2026

What a finale to the 2026 on Sunday.

🦖We blasted off on a rip-roaring Astrosaurs adventure with Steve Cole.

🐺 Teresa Heapy teresaheapy introduced us to Ruby the fox and Growl the wolf, sharing a heartwarming story about friendship, empathy and learning to see the best in one another.

🎵 The incredibly animated BBC Radio 3 BBC Radio 3 presenter Dr Hannah French Hannah French explored the art of seasonal listening through Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons with the equally enthusiastic Simon Toyne Simon Toyne. A highlight was Sebastian, the bell ringer, stopping the church bells for us!

In partnership with Buckingham Music Festival
www.buckinghammusicfestival.org

📖Lucy Easthope Lucy Easthope and Rory Cellan-Jones Rory Cellan-Jones shared moving and inspiring reflections on resilience, love, loss and finding joy amid life’s challenges with the thoughtful and excellent Fiona Lindsay.

🚗 We rounded off the festival with Andy Wilman Andy Wilman, in conversation with Suzi Feay Suzi Feay, whose rollicking and hilarious stories from behind the scenes of Top Gear and The Grand Tour had the audience thoroughly entertained.

Thanks to every speaker, volunteer, sponsor, partner and guest who made the weekend unforgettable and, of course, to the The University of Buckingham for hosting us so generously.

More photos to come including behind the scenes and more of the events!

And it’s not over yet. On 10 July, we have Shakespeare in the Garden with Castle Theatre Company (CTC) for those who snapped up tickets. (It is SOLD OUT).

🍻🎶📖 On Saturday night, the brilliant Robin Ince really did deliver an evening of pints and poetry! He was accompanied b...
22/06/2026

🍻🎶📖 On Saturday night, the brilliant Robin Ince really did deliver an evening of pints and poetry! He was accompanied by the soulful music of surprise special guest Jakko Jakszyk Jakko M Jakszyk, the legendary singer and guitarist of King Crimson King Crimson.

Robin shared poems from his new collection, peppered with a few wonderfully quirky stories from the paperback of Weirdly Normal and Normally Weird, keeping us all entertained, amused and thinking long after the final applause.

Just marvellous! 🤩

✨ More Festival photos are on the way, including highlights from our final day - watch this space!

Day 3 was another memorable day buzzing with ideas and conversation:📰 Emma Monk (Emma Monk) equipped us with the tools t...
21/06/2026

Day 3 was another memorable day buzzing with ideas and conversation:

📰 Emma Monk (Emma Monk) equipped us with the tools to spot fake news.

🖊️John Sergeant reflected on his remarkable career in journalism, sharing insights into politics and broadcasting with Matthew Stadlen Matthew Stadlen.

🎨 Daisy Dixon Dr Daisy Dixon explored the darker side of beauty, revealing how art can be both alluring and unsettling. In conversation with Suzi Feay Suzi Feay.

📚 Robin Lustig Robin Lustig shared the moving story of his family’s near-destruction under N**i persecution and its lasting impact. In conversation with Violet Moller.

🪶Poet Emily Holtom created bespoke poems on a vintage typewriter.

📚 Elif Shafak Elif Shafak / Elif Şafak inspired audiences with a thought-provoking discussion on identity, belonging and the power of storytelling. In conversation with Matthew Stadlen.

⏳Historian Saul David brought to life the drama of the 1943 Allied campaign in North Africa.

🤫 Historian and bestselling novelist Alison Weir Alison Weir introduced us to The Boleyn Secret, her captivating new novel.

🏠 Sinclair McKay shared the remarkable story of the real Dad’s Army, including colourful personalities and extraordinary characters.

💭 In a witty and enlightening conversation with Anthony Wallersteiner, Tom Hodgkinson explored how Stoic wisdom can help us navigate modern life.

🎭 Daniel Swift transported us to Shakespeare’s first theatre, revealing the art, ambition and commercial focus of Elizabethan England.

🔥 Paul Dolan taught us how to better accommodate opposing points of view. In conversation with Suzi Feay Suzi Feay.

📖Dennis Duncan celebrated the humble index and explained how it can transform the way we read.

🍺And what better way to end the day than with the wonderful Robin Ince and his extra special, surprise guest Jakko Jakszyk Jakko M Jakszyk with pints, poetry and music!

More photos to come!!

Day 2 saw us go on a whirlwind tour of the world:📚Starting with the joys and splendour of literary and cultural France w...
20/06/2026

Day 2 saw us go on a whirlwind tour of the world:

📚Starting with the joys and splendour of literary and cultural France with Peter Fiennes Peter Fiennes. Brilliantly hosted by Gladys Deleuze from our generous sponsors Alliance Française de Milton Keynes

🗽Simon Jenkins Simon Jenkins whizzed us through America’s first 250 years and discussed Trump (of course!) with Matthew Stadlen. Sponsored by the ever-fantastic Postscript Books.

💰Oliver Bullough Oliver Bullough was finally able to join us in person, having in previous years been a victim of train strikes! As informative and shocking as ever, Oliver’s talk ranged across every element of the dark side of the global economy and took deep into the world of money laundering.

It is also ! To celebrate Hugh Adams Hugh Adams from managed to squeeze in an interview on this busy day with Alison, the lovely owner of The Buckingham Bookshop who sells all the books at , and local MP Callum Anderson MP.

We look forward to welcoming you and all our great authors at the beautiful The University of Buckingham campus. We have events with Emma Monk Emma Monk, John Sergeant (Sold out), Daisy Dixon Dr Daisy Dixon, Robin Lustig Robin Lustig, Emily Holtom , Elif Shafak Elif Shafak / Elif Şafak (Sold out), Saul David, Alison Weir Alison Weir, Sinclair McKay (Sold out), Tom Hodgkinson, Daniel Swift (Sold out), Paul Dolan , Dennis Duncan and Robin Ince@robinince1969!

👉 Link in bio for tickets for tomorrow.

Books Are My Bag
The Booksellers Association

What a cracking opening day we had at with Matthew Stadlen at the helm of both brilliant events. ✨📚📷Swipe through f...
19/06/2026

What a cracking opening day we had at with Matthew Stadlen at the helm of both brilliant events. ✨📚

📷Swipe through for highlights.

Dame Prue Leith was highly entertaining as she shared some outlandish and hilarious stories covering everything from launching her first catering company from a bedsit (with a landlady who happily had no sense of smell and didn’t know about the lobsters in the bath) to her jinx when it came to anything to do with the late Queen (who then took 50 years to give her a damehood - her revenge?!); from the Beatles wanting a fry up at her Michelin star restaurant to Mary Berry explaining to Prue how to use the new tech of a freezer! And that Bake-off was the best job in the world as it gave her time to write cookbooks and her new book, Being Old… And Learning to Love It!

While the key message from Jeremy Hunt MP event was that people need hope and to know that the politicians they send to Westminster will address the issues that concern them and make the tough decisions needs for the sake of everyone’s future. As the Makerfield by-election unfolded, he shared that he fears Labour is making the same mistakes as the Conservatives by hailing Andy Burnham as a saviour. Changing leaders doesn’t change anything else. Jeremy also shared what you get from the Great Offices of State:
Emotional punch = Health Secretary
Power = Chancellor
Fun = Foreign Secretary (red carpets and outriders)

See you later for Day 2 of with three events:
🍷Peter Fiennes: En Route: The Ultimate Literary Tour of France, 3pm.
Illustrated talk, followed by conversation with Gladys Deleuze.
Sponsored by Alliance Française de Milton Keynes
🗽Simon Jenkins
A Short History of America: From Tea Party to Trump, 4.30pm
Talk followed by an in conversation with Matthew Stadlen
Sponsored by Postscript Books
💵 Oliver Bullough
Money Laundering: The Crime that Makes Crime Pay, 6pm

Don’t forget that all Day 2 events take place at Buckingham Community Centre.
Get your tickets at bucklitfest.org

🎉 BuckLitFest starts on Thursday! 🎉Nearly time to leave your garden and head over to the festival.First up will be Prue ...
16/06/2026

🎉 BuckLitFest starts on Thursday! 🎉

Nearly time to leave your garden and head over to the festival.

First up will be Prue Leith’s Dame Prue Leith sold out event at 12pm. Followed by Jeremy Hunt MP Jeremy Hunt at 6pm. He will exploring Britain’s economic future, all whilst keeping an eye on the Makerfield by-election!

As you arrive at the Buckingham Community Centre, look out for our fantastic window display, featuring:

📚The books that the wonderful authors will be discussing this week from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June
⏰Our programme of events
🍷A bottle of wine from Cavavin The Wine Shop who will be keeping the bar fully stocked with refreshments during the festival!

There’s still time to book your tickets and join us!

🗓 18-21 June
🎟️ Get your tickets from bucklitfest.org or using the link in our bio

🪶Do you think children know what a typewriter is? Have they even seen one in action? During our visit to 3Bs Radio a f...
14/06/2026

🪶Do you think children know what a typewriter is? Have they even seen one in action?

During our visit to 3Bs Radio a few weeks ago, there was a lively discussion around this as poet Emily Holtom will be joining us at to create bespoke poems live on a vintage typewriter.

Inspired by conversations, a word or a memory shared by festival-goers, you can watch a poem come to life there and then.

Each poem is a unique keepsake to take home and treasure.

Pop-Up Poetry offers a gentle pause within the festival – a chance to slow down, reflect and connect through words. Suitable for all ages.

🗓️ Saturday 20 June, 11.30am-2pm
📍 Vinson Centre, The University of Buckingham
🎟️ Pay as you feel, in person on the day.

🗞️ Did you spot the in the Buckingham & Winslow Advertiser? There are just 5 days to go until the festival begins. Boo...
13/06/2026

🗞️ Did you spot the in the Buckingham & Winslow Advertiser?

There are just 5 days to go until the festival begins. Book now to avoid disappointment!

Prue Leith, Elif Shafak and John Sergeant are sold out, but there are tickets for many other inspiring and insightful events.

🎟️Discover and book tickets for all our brilliant events at BuckLitFest.org

🗓️ 18-21 June 2026
📍 Buckingham, various locations

Address

Hunter Street
Buckingham
MK181EG

Telephone

+441280820365

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Buckingham Literary Festival posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Buckingham Literary Festival:

Shortcuts

Share

Category