Words By The Water Keswick

11/08/2026

GRATITUDE ALERT! (AND A LITTLE CALL OUT FOR HELP!)

We have been incredibly lucky over the years to be supported by some very kind people who give up their time to volunteer. As a small independent festival, we simply couldn’t survive without the help of these individuals and we are eternally grateful.

At the last festival, we trialled a slightly new approach to volunteering with great results and we are delighted to be refining these processes and roles ready for 2027.

If you would like to join our friendly team, please drop us a line and register your interest (no obligation at this point). Roles will be defined and allocated nearer the time and full training will be provided.

To register your interest please contact Mary at [email protected] with your name and contact details with VOLUNTEER in the header.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Theatre by the Lake Bookends Keswick

07/08/2026

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Anne Oxborough who recently passed away.

Anne was a trusted chairperson and skilled interviewer at Words by the Water and Ways With Words, where she served as a director, and loved taking part in the festivals with her partner David. As an interviewer, speakers were in safe hands: her research was meticulous and she combined probing, sensitive questioning with a deft humour. Many of you will remember her warmly interviewing Kerry Irving and his dogs in the Theatre by the Lake Main House, an event which she took great delight in.

Anne was a former Assistant Principal of Exeter Tertiary College and later Chair of Governors of the Exeter Maths School and was awarded an OBE for services to Further Education In 2013.

She will be hugely missed and our thoughts are with her husband David and family.

Bookends Keswick

06/08/2026

As well as working hard on shaping our blossoming programme (details will be announced later this year) we've also been growing our team.

We are delighted to welcome the wonderful Mary Elliott. Previous festival goers may recognise Mary as she is not only a long-time resident of Keswick but is also Customer Experience Manager at Theatre by the Lake. Mary will continue in her role at the theatre while supporting Words by the Water with Operations as Festival Producer on a part-time basis.

A beacon of calm in a chaotic world, Mary brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, and we are thrilled that she will be joining us.

Watch this space over coming weeks as we introduce you to more members of the WBTW team.

Bookends Keswick

08/07/2026

Congratulations to everyone involved 🥳

08/07/2026

Have you lost a treasured possession, keepsake, or item with a meaningful story behind it that you'd love to be reunited with?

Helen and her team are currently looking for people who may have lost sentimental items while attending Words by the Water or during visits to the Lake District, and who would appreciate help trying to recover them.

If this is you, check out the info below 👇👇👇

BBC Helen Skelton

24/06/2026

📖 BIG NEWS FOR BOOK LOVERS - NEW DATES ANNOUNCED! 📖

Words by the Water returns to Theatre by the Lake in Keswick from
Wednesday 10th - Sunday 14th March 2027.

Save the date for 5 days of inspiring words and ideas as we bring award-winning authors, famous names, local writers, fresh new voices and so much more to your doorstep.

Be the first to know about our programme, ticket release dates and festival news by following our page. You can also find us on Instagram and you can sign up to receive our newsletter at www.wordsbythewaterkeswick.com

Please email us with any queries at [email protected]

With warmest wishes,
Lucy, Rachel and Jane
The Words by the Water team

Please pass it on to a bookworm that you know and love ❤️

The Keswick Reminder Visit Keswick the Lake District Cumbria Guide News & Star / The Cumberland News

19/05/2026

Congratulations to all the incredible writers who have made the Lakeland Book of the Year Awards longlist! 🥳

This award has done so much to support writing in Cumbria over the years and it's well worth perusing their page and website for inspiration for your next read 📚

A longlist has been chosen! The judges met last weekend and made their decisions which can't have been easy as there was a very strong field this year. Well done to EVERYONE who entered their book.
After sending out congratulations and commiseration emails all day yesterday I can now share the longlist and look forward to a wonderful bookish celebration in July (link in comments)

Fiction
The Hotel at the Heart of the Lakes, Ellie Wood
Final Vow, Mike Craven
The River Brings the Sea, Ali Thurm
Helm, Sarah Hall

Guides and Places
Exploring Lake District Dales, Terry Marsh
Walking the King Charles III England Coast Path: North West, Ange Harker
Wainwrights without a Car, Ron Kenyon
The Lake District Trail and Fell Running Guide, Jenny Bushel

Landscape and Tradition
The Parallel Path, Jenn Ashworth
Middleland, Rory Stewart
Wigton and the Solway, Trevor Grahamslaw
59 Pairs of Socks, Alan Kingsland

Literature and Poetry
An A-Z of Beatrix Potter, Penny Bradshaw
Rembrandt,a self portrait, Stephen Mathews
Chasing the Phantom, Zoe Gilbert & Stephen Cooper
All Before Me, Esther Rutter

People and Business
Wings to Fly, Vicky Robinson
How to Build a Spitfire, David Price
The Postal Paths, Alan Cleaver
Mud, Mayhem and Moneymen, Jean McSorley

Illustration and Presentation
Defined by Stones, Ian Jackson
In Search of the Missing, Juliet Fossey
Outstanding Walks Lake District, Vivienne Crow
From Pillar Rock to the Matterhorn, Ashley Abraham

17/05/2026

We enjoyed a fascinating talk from journalist Paul Eastham on Friday Keswick Museum ...Paul was discussing 'Secrets of the Hidden People', his revisionist history of Cumbria which challenges the traditional view that Cumbria was conquered by the Vikings. Paul presented a very convincing argument and it was a thoroughly researched and fascinating talk.

Thank you Paul, Bookends Keswick , Keswick Museum and all who came along to this rescheduled festival event 📚📚📚

05/05/2026

The Paul Eastham event at Keswick Museum has now sold out! Call Bookends Keswick on 017687 75277 if you would like to join the waiting list.

Thank you all for your enthusiasm and support 🙏

23/04/2026

COMING SOON! 🥳

Paul Eastham - Secrets of the Hidden People

We're delighted to say this sold out talk has now been rescheduled to Friday 15th May at 3pm at Keswick Museum Keswick Museum

Cumbrians are called the Hidden People because mainstream history claims their Celtic heritage was erased by Roman, Viking, Anglo-Saxon and Norman invasions. This succession of incomes certainly tried to drive Cumbrian culture underground over centuries of suppression but ultimately failed.

Popular local historian Paul Eastham will reveal insights into Cumbria's deep Celtic past and unearth the Cumbrian character at the core.

🎟 Tickets: £8

After contacting all previous ticket holders there are still a handful of tickets available in Bookends Keswick . Please pop in or call 017687 75277 ☺️