Cheltenham Literature Festival – UK 2025

Overview

The Cheltenham Literature Festival 2025, running from October 10 to 19, 2025, in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK, is the world’s longest-running literature festival, established in 1949. Celebrating its 76th year, this 10-day event features over 400 events, blending ticketed talks with free family activities and fringe events. Hosted by Cheltenham Festivals, it showcases literary giants, emerging voices, and public figures, fostering a love for the written and spoken word. With a focus on diversity, accessibility, and community engagement, the festival includes initiatives like The Big Read, VOICEBOX for young adults, and a robust schools program, making it a cultural cornerstone in the UK’s literary landscape.

Event Highlights

Literary Talks: Over 100 authors, including Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Sunday Times Award for Literary Excellence 2025), Ian McEwan, Richard Osman, and Samantha Harvey, discuss their latest works.
Public Figures: Notable speakers include Sir Tim Berners-Lee, Sir Nick Clegg, and Dame Joanna Lumley, addressing topics from technology to culture.
The Big Read: A relaunch featuring Kaliane Bradley’s “The Ministry of Time,” with community reading events and author appearances.
Free Events: 30% of the program, including The Huddle, The Snug, and Bookshop Crawls, is free, offering storytelling, workshops, and performances.
Family Program: The Wild Wood hosts interactive storytelling, a “Return to Wonderland” Alice-themed adventure, and activities celebrating 25 years of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Acorn Wood series.

Dates & Duration

Dates: October 10 – 19, 2025
Duration: 10 days

Venues & Locations

Festival Village: Montpellier Gardens, 24 Montpellier Spa Rd, Cheltenham, GL50 1UL, United Kingdom. Hosts the main Festival Village with free activities, food stalls, and pop-up events.
Cheltenham Town Hall: Imperial Square, Cheltenham, GL50 1QA, United Kingdom. Features major events like The Times and Sunday Times Forum and the Centaur Series.
Everyman Theatre: Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ, United Kingdom. Hosts literary talks and performances.
The Nook on Five: Five, Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HE, United Kingdom. A rooftop venue for dining experiences and discussions.
Dunkertons Taproom: Dowdeswell Park, London Road, Cheltenham, GL52 6UT, United Kingdom. Offers spoken word, music, and tastings.
Montpellier Gardens (Additional Sites): Various locations like The Huddle and The Snug within Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham, GL50 1UL, United Kingdom.
Administrative Office: Cheltenham Festivals, 53–57 Rodney Road, Cheltenham, GL50 1HX, United Kingdom (not a public event venue).

Contact Information

Email: boxoffice@cheltenhamfestivals.org (tickets), press@cheltenhamfestivals.org (media), education@cheltenhamfestivals.org (schools), partnership@cheltenhamfestivals.org (partnerships)
Phone: +44 1242 850270 (box office)
Website: www.cheltenhamfestivals.org
Social Media: @cheltfestivals
Organizer: Cheltenham Festivals, 109 Bath Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 7LS, United Kingdom

Ticket Information

General Sale: Opens September 4, 2025, via www.cheltenhamfestivals.org or +44 1242 850270. Members access tickets from August 28, 2025.
Pricing:

• Free Events: USD 0 (30% of the program, including The Huddle, The Snug, and Bookshop Crawls).
• General Admission: USD 10–38 (£8–£30) for most talks and performances.
• Times Debate: USD 75 (£60).
• Premium Events: High-profile talks (e.g., Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie) may reach USD 50 (£40).
• Group Discounts: 10% off for groups of 10+, contact boxoffice@cheltenhamfestivals.org.
• Accessibility Discounts: 50% off for disabled attendees and one companion, book via +44 1242 850270.
  Regional Events: Some events at venues like Everyman Theatre may have separate pricing; check venue websites.
  Note: Prices are based on a 1.25 USD/GBP exchange rate; confirm rates closer to the event.

Key Events

Opening Weekend (October 10–12, 2025): Centaur Series at Cheltenham Town Hall with stars like Michael Caine and Peter Mandelson.
The Big Read (October 15, 2025): Kaliane Bradley discusses “The Ministry of Time” at Montpellier Gardens.
VOICEBOX Program (October 10–19, 2025): Free events for 18–30s at The Huddle, covering pop culture, politics, and mental health.
Future of Reading Conference (October 18, 2025): Industry leaders like Frank Cottrell-Boyce discuss literacy at Everyman Theatre.
Closing Day (October 19, 2025): Booker Prize Shortlist event and family-friendly Wild Wood activities.

Cultural Significance

As the world’s oldest literature festival, Cheltenham Literature Festival bridges literary heritage with modern discourse, celebrating 80 years of Cheltenham Festivals in 2025. Its “Read the World” theme promotes global perspectives, addressing issues like technology, health, and cultural identity. The festival’s commitment to accessibility—through free events, community outreach like the Connections scheme, and youth programs like VOICEBOX—ensures inclusivity, inspiring over 12,000 schoolchildren annually.

Community Engagement

Connections Scheme: Partners with charities to provide free tickets to underserved communities.
DataFace: Equips students with data analysis and storytelling skills.
FameLab Academy: Encourages science communication among youth.
Musicate: Offers music education workshops, relaunching in 2024 with interim CPD days.
The Scribbled Self: A writing-for-wellbeing program for young people, developed with Gloucestershire Hospital Education Service.

Food & Drink

Festival Village (Montpellier Gardens): Food stalls offer street food like fish and chips, vegan options, and Gloucestershire cheeses (USD 5–15).
The Nook on Five: Dining experiences with set menus featuring local produce (USD 25–50).
Nearby Restaurants: The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie (Montpellier Walk, Cheltenham, GL50 1SD) serves British dishes like shepherd’s pie (USD 15–30). Cards are widely accepted; cash is useful for stalls.

Family & Accessibility

Family-Friendly: The Wild Wood in Montpellier Gardens offers free storytelling, crafts, and an Alice in Wonderland-themed adventure for all ages.
Accessibility: Venues like Cheltenham Town Hall and Everyman Theatre are wheelchair-accessible with lifts and ramps. Contact boxoffice@cheltenhamfestivals.org for accommodations or audio-described events. The Connections scheme enhances access for disadvantaged groups.

Getting There

By Air: Bristol Airport (BRS, 70 km, USD 50–80 taxi, 1 hr) or Birmingham Airport (BHX, 90 km, USD 60–100 taxi, 1.5 hrs).
Public Transport: Cheltenham Spa Station (1 mile from Montpellier Gardens, USD 5–10 by train from London). Buses (lines D, E, USD 2–3) stop near Imperial Square.
Parking: Montpellier Gardens Parking (GL50 1UL, USD 2–3/hr) or Park & Ride at Arle Court (GL51 6SY, free parking, USD 3 bus).
Walking: Venues are within a 10-minute walk from Cheltenham’s Promenade.

Nearby Attractions

Montpellier Gardens: 24 Montpellier Spa Rd, Cheltenham, GL50 1UL. Historic gardens with free entry.
Pittville Pump Room: Pittville Park, Cheltenham, GL52 3JE. Regency-era spa (USD 3–5).
Cotswolds: Charming villages like Bourton-on-the-Water (15 miles, USD 20 taxi) for day trips.