Fishbourne Literary Festival 2025
The Fishbourne Literary Festival is a beloved annual event that raises funds for St Peter and St Mary Church, as well as a chosen charity. Entirely volunteer-led, the festival has been a resounding success for the past seven years. The 2025 festival will take place on Saturday 5th April. For more details, visit www.fishbourneliteraryfestival.co.uk.
Originally started to fundraise for a new church hall, the festival has grown in popularity, with the 2018 event being the first to sell out. Despite a hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic, the festival returned in 2023 with great success. It continues to attract renowned authors, including Kate Mosse, Margaret Drabble, Louis de Bernières, and Deborah Moggach.
In 2025, the festival will support UKHarvest, a charity focused on tackling food waste and food insecurity.
2025 Programme Highlights:
David Hewson – British mystery author of the Nic Costa series set in Rome.
Erica James – Best-selling romance novelist and Romantic Novel of the Year winner.
Dangerous Women Panel – Featuring Elizabeth Buchan, Isabelle Grey, and Merle Nygate, chaired by Mark Hoult.
Xiaolu Guo – Chinese-born British author and filmmaker.
Paul Kerensa – Award-winning comedian and writer, hosted by BBC’s Fee Mak.
Tickets are £35 per person, and they’re now on sale! Be sure to grab yours soon, as the event sells out fast. Even without a ticket, you’re welcome to visit, though ticket holders will have access to the author talks. https://fishbourneliteraryfestival.co.uk/booking-useful-info
Other Festival Highlights:
Food & Drink: The Literary Café will offer lunch, drinks, and homemade cakes.
Bookshop: Purchase books from the authors, with signings after each talk, plus a sale of pre-loved books.
Accessibility: The festival is committed to accessibility, and those with specific needs should contact the committee.
Parking & Transportation: Free parking (first-come, first-served) and overflow parking at the Woolpack Inn. The venue is also accessible by bus and just a 10-minute walk from Fishbourne train station.
In addition to the festival in April, a Literary Garden Festival will be held on 9th August 2025, featuring talks by authors and gardeners, a book market, and garden stalls from local businesses. Stay tuned for more information! We hope to see you there to celebrate literature, support a great cause, and enjoy a day of community and conversation!