Shipston Bookfest is the north Cotswolds' very own celebration of books, stories, and the joy of reading. Founded in 2024 by a small group of local book lovers, we've quickly grown into a highlight of Shipston-on-Stour's cultural calendar as we bring nationally recognised authors to our stages alongside brilliant local talent – welcoming readers of all ages through our doors.
We're a volunteer-run, not-for-profit festival, and everything we do is rooted in our community. Over our first two years, we've been proud to host authors including Prue Leith, Adele Parks, Ben Miller, Simon Mason, and David Larbi, and to work with publishers including Penguin, HarperCollins, Bloomsbury, Picador, Orion, and Simon & Schuster. Events have taken place across the town — from St Edmund's Church to the Townsend Hall, the library, local schools, and beyond.
We believe books are for everyone. Alongside our adult programme, we run free events for children and families, and we visit local primary and secondary schools to put brilliant authors in front of young readers who might not otherwise get the chance to meet them. We want Shipston Bookfest to be welcoming, accessible, and genuinely reflective of our community.
About Shipston-on-Stour
Shipston-on-Stour is a traditional market town nestled in the north Cotswolds, regularly named as one of the best places to live in the UK for its warm community spirit and thriving town centre. With its vibrant community, Shipston is a town that knows how to come together, and we think it deserves a book festival to be proud of.
Get involved
Shipston Bookfest is only possible because of the generosity of our sponsors, the energy of our volunteers, and the enthusiasm of our audiences. If you'd like to get involved, whether as a volunteer, committee member, sponsor, or local author, we'd love to hear from you. Head to our Get Involved page to find out more, or drop us a line at info@shipstonbookfest.org.