Ilkley Literature Festival

We wouldn't be anywhere without our wonderful audience members. We're so glad that you enjoyed this years programme - we hope to see you all again next year! Dates for your diary 2027: Fri 8 – Sun 24 October Photography by Rich Bunce @walkingphotographer

Today is the last day of Ilkley Lit Fest 2026! This is your last chance to book - today our focus is on fiction, and there are still plenty of events waiting to make your Sunday perfect. Head to ilkleylitfest.org.uk (link in bio) to see what you can still 📖 book 📖 for today! Photo - Rich Bunce

A thought-provoking talk last night with Jeremy Hunt. Jeremy was interviewed by the fabulous Ruth Pitt. Thankyou to our event partner One Space for bringing this great event to life. @onespacefm @jeremyhuntmp

Sunday is a story lover's paradise at ILF26. We still have some tickets left for a few of our fabulous fiction events. Book online at ilkleylitfest.org.uk (link in bio)

Ageing as a runner is no joke: as comedian and writer Paul Tonkinson can attest. Tonkinson has done the training, suffered the (repeated) injuries, applied the toe jelly and located the mandatory whistle. Can he do it?

Gilgamesh originated in Ancient Mesopotamia nearly 4,000 years ago, yet its themes of power, loyalty, love and loss resound with contemporary relevance. Simon Armitage’s fresh and propulsive version brings Gilgamesh alive as poetry.

Fabulous wine and chatting about crime with Olly Smith last night! Thankyou to Olly, our interviewer James Nash, and our lovely sponsor Martinez Wines for a great event 🍷 @ollysmith @martinezwines

A glass slipper, a fairy godmother, a transformed pumpkin, lizard footmen and seamstress mice: these familiar images evoke a very particular story, one where hopes and dreams for a new life might come true. Why does Cinderella still inspire so many of us with her story?

The author, the myth, the legend, Dame Jacqueline Wilson joins us tomorrow for ILF26. Discover how she started her writing career, how she created some of her best-loved characters, and hear all about her brand-new book Esme Pepper.

There will be roadworks on Coutances Way (A65) over this weekend which may cause delays to those travelling in from the direction of Burley-in-Wharfedale. Traffic is being managed via temporary lights just after the Moss and Moor garden centre. More info: one.network?GB152769919

"I might treat myself to a fat rascal in Bettys, but you've got to eat the fat rascal quite a long time before the show, because it will clog up your clack, as Ian McKellen would say." We hope that Ian gets a chance to visit Bettys before his talk tonight! @imcmillan.bsky.social

Paul Mason is an experienced freelance writer and editor of a variety of children's information books, with subjects including extreme sports, geography and travel. Reds will be a major analysis as we head into a dangerous new world order where China and Russia threaten major change.

Ilkley - the moor and the town - looking mighty fine this morning. Huge thanks to @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social for inviting me to speak, looking after me so well and putting on a great event, and thanks to all who attended or watched online - the turnout was fantastic!

sweet reading from p a u s e. at @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social with fellow Poetry@Leeds poets Kris Johnson, Jennifer Wong and Michael Sutton. we covered considerable ground, from Salisbury to the Wirral, from Hong King to kisiskatchewanisipi in Treaty 6 Territory. #ilf2026 @brokensleepbooks.bsky.social

A fantastic week at ILF26! From actor Rachael Stirling, great food with Si King, and our New Northern Poets. We're ready for the final week of the fest 💪 --- Check out what else is in store at ilkleylitfest.org.uk Photography by Rich Bunce @walking photographer

Fabulous event with the iconic Mark Foster yesterday! Here he is peeping out from behind one of our festival banners. Thanks @markfosterswim for an amazing talk! Photography by Rich Bunce @walkingphotographer

RNLI volunteer Dominic Gregory, based at Dungeness on the English Channel, introduces the remarkable yet ordinary men and women who give up their time, livelihoods and safety to brave wind, tide and storms. Head to ilkleylitfest.org.uk to book (link in bio)

Thankyou to the four amazing poets who reunited last night (inspired by their coming together for BBC's Contains Strong Language in 2025). They did not disappoint! Daljit Nagra | Kim Moore | Antony Dunn | Emily Zobel Marshall Photography by Rich Bunce @walkingphotographer

Nothing could happen at Ilkley Lit Fest without the amazing work of staff and volunteers behind the scenes! Here are just a few of the superstars we managed to capture (before the rain destroyed our little frame!)

Just one week left of the Bookworm Trail! Entry forms, including a map of the trail, will be available to collect from The Grove Bookshop or on our website (link in bio). Get your form now and get finding those worms! 🪱

Thankyou to the fabulous Si King for an amazing Thursday night at the King's Hall - the signing queue was almost out of the door!

Weekend two of ILF is almost here! Not booked yet? Head to ilkleylitfest.org.uk (link in bio) 📖📖📖

We’re big foodies at ILF HQ, and we can’t wait to share some of the insights from these amazing cooks with you. Learn more and book at ilkleylitfest.org.uk (link in bio)

A huge thank you to everyone who came to hear me talk about my book at the Ilkley Literature Festival on Saturday. 😊 @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social @thecrowoodpress.bsky.social #Ilkley #IlkleyLiteratureFestival #BookFestival #Linocut

Ilkley Lit Fest 2026 isn't just for adults - we have lots of events to get your little ones involved too! In addition to specific events across the festival, we have a special Bookworm Trail hidden across Ilkley. Discover all our family activities at ilkleylitfest.org.uk (link in bio)

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our opening weekend of ILF2026. Highlights included Andrew Davies, Zahra Joya, Matthew Sweet, Brian Bilston, Luke Harding, Natasha Carthew and Jane Rogoyska (amongst many other stellar authors!) Check out what else is in store at ilkleylitfest.org.uk

In his first solo title, Si King – one half of the Hairy Bikers alongside his best friend, the late Dave Myers – shares the food he cooks and eats at home: honest, unfussy dishes built for real life, real budgets and real families. Learn more and book at ilkleylitfest.org.uk

Another great interview in the Yorkshire Evening Post! This time with Dr Shabnam Ahsan who will be holding a workshop on writing ghost stories with us on Sunday 18 October. Want to know how to send shivers down someone's spine? Head to ilkleylitfest.org.uk (link in bio) to book

Weekdays can be tough - and we've got the perfect remedy for you. Here are some of the ✨️ mid-week delights ✨️ coming up, and now is the perfect time to book. Head to ilkleylitfest.org.uk to book (link in bio) 🎟️

Oh no, these books are full of holes! It must be the burrowing bookworms! Can you find all the pesky page-eating creatures hiding in shop windows across Ilkley and answer their bookish questions?

Opening night seems so long ago now! On Friday night we welcomed special reception guests ahead of our opening event - Andrew Davies: Life in Scripts. Our next event is Judy Murray: Game, Set & Murder on Tuesday night. Head to ilkleylitfest.org.uk to see what else is in store (link in bio)

Highlights from the first full day of ILF26: Incredible events with Matthew Sweet (complete with genuine Barbara Cartland gowns); Peter Stanford on Gaudi; journalist Zahra Joya, and poet Brian Bilston. Photo Credits: Rich Bunce @walkingphotographer #ILF26 #IlkleyLitFest

Thanks to everyone at Darwen Library Theatre - coming out to listen to poetry on a Friday night is not for the faint-hearted. This evening I’m in Ilkley, reading poems at @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social. Hope to see a few of you there. www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/events/16-br...

Check out what's on today at ILF - Saturday 3rd October! You can still book tickets for many events at ilkleylitfest.org.uk

Planned road closure near Ilkley Playhouse We have just been informed that there will be gas works taking place on Castle Road outside Ilkley Playhouse from the 2nd – 8th October. More information on the roadworks can be found here: one.network?GB152811639

Catch Brian at ILF tomorrow! Learn more and book - www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/events/16-br...

Great review of Luke Harding's Betrayal in The Guardian. Luke joins us tomorrow at ILF at 5pm. Book now - www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/events/10-lu...

We can't wait to welcome Jane Rogoyska to ILF 2026 tomorrow at 12pm. Learn more and book at www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/events/3-jan...

We are delighted to announce that this year’s festival is officially underway. Our first event kicks off this evening at the Kings Hall. We’ll be joined by legend of literary adaptation, Andrew Davies. www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/events/1-and...

Happy national poetry day! This year's theme is 'wonder' 💫 Did you know that we have a full dedicated poetry day on Sunday 11th October? As well as other great poetry events and headliners happening throughout the festival. Discover poetry at ILF 2026: buff.ly/MJWFUih

Join us at a special event at @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social on 25 November as we announce the 2026 prize winners! www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/events/97-20...

See Michelle at ILF on Saturday 17th October - www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/events/85-mi...

Amazing news! Matthew Sweet's biography on Barbara Cartland is coming to TV! Hear Matthew talk about his book at ILF - www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/events/12-ma...

Barbara news… deadline.com/2026/09/barb...

Tickets are selling fast! Book now to lock down your favourite events 🎟️ ilkleylitfest.org.uk

'At Ilkley Literature Festival a woman shrieked and vomited during a Ted Hughes reading. I must say I've never felt like shrieking.' Philip Larkin in a letter to Robert Conquest, 15 June 1975.

I’m delighted to be taking part in the Ilkley Literature Festival in October. www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/events/4-mic... #Ilkley #IlkleyLiteratureFestival #booklovers #ILF2026 #WhatsOnIlkley

I’m very pleased to be coming back to the Ilkley Literature Festival on Saturday, 3rd October. Poems will be read, most likely my own. Tickets on sale here: www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/events/16-br...