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Exmoor Special at the Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival

One of the nicest things about the annual Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival (13 to 16 November) is the many links to Exmoor itself. This year is to be no exception, with numerous authors, poets and speakers appearing at the Festival who live and work on the moor or write about it with huge knowledge and passion.

The Art of Exmoor Magazine

One such talk is to be The Art of Exmoor Magazine…

What makes a magazine something people keep, rather than simply read? For almost thirty years, Exmoor Magazine has answered that question with beautifully crafted writing, outstanding photography and a deep love of the place it calls home. It is not part of any chain, but is owned, run and produced here on Exmoor. If there is such a thing as ‘slow publishing’, this is it. It is a one-off, quarterly magazine. Every issue is carefully crafted using a team of local writers – all specialists in their fields – and local photographers.

Exmoor Magazine prides itself on its original research and boasts an impressive archive of thousands of in-depth features covering landscapes, the environment, food and farming, flora and fauna, local characters, community endeavours, local history and much more.

On Friday 13 November at 3.30pm in Dulverton Town Hall, you will be given the rare opportunity to meet some of the people behind the magazine – editor and part-owner Naomi Cudmore, photographer Shaun Davey and writer, author and Exmoor farmer Victoria Eveleigh. Together they will reveal how ideas become features, how photographs capture the spirit of a place, and why telling authentic local stories still matters.

Whether you are a loyal reader, a lover of Exmoor or simply fascinated by writing, photography and publishing, this promises to be a warm and inspiring conversation about creativity, collaboration and the enduring value of independent journalism.

Naomi Cudmore is pictured here with her very important co-editor, Hurley. (Photo copyright Nina Dodd).

Festival Special Offer

Naomi has come up with an amazing Festival Special Offer for those attending the Exmoor Magazine and/or the Hope Bourne talks at this year’s festival. Just before Christmas, this is not something you’ll want to ignore!

10% OFF your purchase of a single subscription (a one year, two year or three year sub) (UK only) or buy two one-year subs for just £40. This applies to personal subscriptions and gift subscriptions, and all gift subscriptions come with a lovely gift card. Christmas sorted!

NB Normal prices before this special discount are: One year £23; Two years £40; Three years £61.50.

Tickets to the Art of Exmoor Magazine talk available HERE.

Riding Exmoor with Lauren St John

Then at 3pm on Sunday 15 November in Dulverton Heritage Centre, meet bestselling author of novels for children and teens, Lauren St John and discover her wonderful novel about horse riding across Exmoor.

Lauren St John

Lauren grew up surrounded by a giraffe, warthogs, cats, dogs and horses, on a farm and game reserve in Zimbabwe, the inspiration for her award-winning White Giraffe series as well as The Snow Angel. Her new novel, Wild Horse Summer, is a heartfelt celebration of horses, friendship and is set here on Exmoor which is certain to delight teenagers, adults and anyone who has ever loved a great equestrian story.

A damaged horse. A girl with a secret. A race to escape the past… When her young heroine sets out to ride 100 miles across the moor, she embarks on an unforgettable journey of courage, determination and discovery.

Wild Horse Summer by Lauren St John

Described as “one of the toughest wildernesses on earth” the novel is deeply rooted in the landscape of Exmoor itself.

In her research for the book, Lauren received expert guidance from Dulverton’s Exmoor Pony Centre to learn more about our endangered Exmoor ponies, and from the organisers of the Golden Horseshoe Endurance Ride to help her create an authentic riding route across the moor.

Tickets to the Riding Exmoor Talk available HERE.

For the whole Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival 2026 programme, click HERE.

 

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Dulverton’s ‘Secret Gardeners’ supporting Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance

The green fingered ‘Secret Gardeners’ of Dulverton have again enabled the Visit Dulverton Partnership Group to make a generous donation to charity. On Friday 2 October Christine Dubery, Chair of the Visit Dulverton Partnership Group, was delighted to hand a cheque in the sum of £1500 to The Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Charity.

The Secret Gardens of Dulverton event took place on Sunday 21 June and was extremely well attended by locals and visitors alike. Twelve private gardens were kindly opened to the public for the one day by enthusiastic local gardeners, and over 300 people enjoyed a stroll around our charming moorland town, dropping in to the gardens and tasting refreshments offered by the volunteers in the Town Hall.

The Visit Dulverton committee decided to donate the proceeds from the event to the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance this year, and Charlotte Humber, the charity’s Supporter Engagement Officer said: “We would like to thank the Visit Dulverton Partnership Group and Dulverton’s ‘Secret Gardeners’ for their generous donation.  It will help a lot of people who are in need of our support.”  Christine Dubery added her thanks to the garden owners, without whom the event could not have taken place.

Pictured above L to R: Dulverton gardeners John Sims, Robin Foster-Brown, Yvonne Moorfoot, Christine Dubery (Visit Dulverton Partnership Group chair), Nick Thwaites (Visit Dulverton Partnership Group member), Charlotte Humber, gardeners Louise Ogden, Rachel Herbert-Threlkeld, Margaret Rawle (Visit Dulverton Partnership Group member) and gardeners Denzil Sims and Rob Simpson.

The date for next year’s Secret Gardens of Dulverton is set for Sunday 20 June 2027.  If any Dulverton residents would like to open their gardens, please do get in touch via hello@visitdulverton.com

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Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival 2026 Box Office opens to support farming

The Box Office for tickets to the fifth annual Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival is now OPEN TO ALL with 31 literary events to be held in Dulverton over the long weekend 13 to 16 November. Discover who will be attending from the Festival Programme.

There will be the opportunity to learn more about the Bayeux Tapestry, Exmoor’s icon Hope Bourne, Marilyn Monroe, Charles Dickens, the Palestinians, Agatha Christie, communism, Tuscany, photography, horses and even Kylian Mbappe – to name but a small handful of topics!

Festival Director, Ali Pegrum said “In curating the Festival this year, I was keen to invite authors and speakers on topics that would appeal to everyone. Being rooted here in Exmoor, it also felt like the ideal opportunity to support our farmers in what has been a particularly difficult year. The wet spring, the farm inheritance tax, followed by the heatwaves, drought, fires and bluetongue have all brought extreme challenges. Isolation, loneliness and the pressures of farming and rural life can have a profound impact on individuals, families and communities such as ours. With this in mind, the Festival is hosting two remarkable author talks that will hopefully provide comfort, guidance and support.”

On Saturday 14 November in Dulverton Town Hall, multi-million copy bestselling author and psychotherapist, Julia Samuel MBE will explore how we can better understand and support rural wellbeing. Drawing on her bestselling books such as Grief Works, she will share the insights she has gained through decades of working with people facing grief, change, family conflict and life’s many transitions. Along with Alice Thomson, she will discuss the particular realities of rural life, where resilience is often taken for granted and asking for help can feel difficult. This promises to be an inspiring conversation about connection, compassion and the importance of looking after ourselves and those around us.

Then in Dulverton’s All Saints’ Church on Sunday 15 November, Baroness Minette Batters (pictured) will join the Festival in conversation with Baroness Ann Mallalieu. Minette is one of the country’s most influential voices in farming, She will share her inspiring memoir Harvest – a deeply personal account of life on the land, the changing face of British agriculture and the values that continue to shape rural communities. A farmer herself in Wiltshire, Minette was the first woman to serve as President of the National Farmers’ Union (2018 to 2024), representing British agriculture during one of the most challenging and transformative periods in its history.

Minette will be in conversation with Baroness Ann Mallalieu KC (pictured below). Ann is a well-known face across Exmoor, a leading British lawyer and Labour life peer in the House of Lords since 1991. She is the President of the Countryside Alliance, a former barrister and a keen supporter of rural traditions and farming. At a time when farming faces unprecedented change, they will together explore the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture today, the importance of food production and environmental stewardship, and why vibrant rural communities matter more than ever.

Katherine Williams, Exmoor Hill Farming Network Manager, said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming Minette Batters to Exmoor to talk with Ann Mallalieu about her new book Harvest and the challenges and opportunities she has faced during her career in agriculture. Also, the conversation between renowned psychotherapist Julia Samuel and Alice Thomson about rural wellbeing will be fascinating. For us, events like this give farmers an opportunity to come together, have honest conversations and feel part of a wider rural community, which can be incredibly important in what can sometimes be an isolated and demanding industry.

Exmoor Farmer and Rural Conservative Campaigner, James Wright also commented: “Farming has never been easy but it’s certainly hard to think of a time when it’s been harder. Having Minette Batters down in Dulverton to speak on the future of British agriculture is something not be missed. If we want our rural way of life to survive, we need to ensure that we support those, who support it.”

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Dulverton’s Trail Fun Run & Canicross – one week to go!

The sixth annual Dulverton Trail Fun Run & Canicross is to be held on Sunday 20 September – a week from today! This popular event attracts trail runners and canicross enthusiasts (people who run with their dog) from across Devon and Somerset, keen to enjoy a beautiful and challenging route over Exmoor countryside around Dulverton. There is a choice of a 5k or 10k routes and, new for 2026, walkers have been invited to join the event on the 5k route. A quick check on the weather and it’s looking ideal for an excellent morning’s running – sunny intervals and a gentle breeze – perfect!

The Routes

In true Exmoor style, the run will combine some tough gradients but was described by one experienced trail runner last year as an “excellent traditional trail run”. Setting off from the Exmoor Lawns in Dulverton, in front of Exmoor House, the route will take runners through Burridge Woods beside the picturesque River Barle and along to Marsh Bridge.  Those running both 5k and 10k routes will climb the hill in Looseall Wood with a hydration point at the top. The 10k route will then veer off towards the triangulation point at Court Down (pictured) with panoramic views towards Dartmoor to the south and Dunkery Beacon (Somerset’s highest point) to the north. All runners complete the run downhill along the track known as School Lane and back to the Exmoor Lawns.

Court Down triangulation point, Exmoor

Many runners have already made their online reservations, with the organisers from Visit Dulverton saying that “advance bookings help us enormously with the organisation of this entirely volunteer-led event”. Entries can be accepted on the day, but if you’d like to enter in advance click HERE. The entry price remains the same as in previous years – £15 choosing either the 5k or 10k route, with or without your dog.

The Trophies and Medals

Event trophies provided by Stag Environmental

All competitors will be awarded a tasteful, eco-friendly wooden medal, that will double as a key ring after the event, handcrafted by local Minehead business, Exmoor Engraving, who will also create a wooden treat box for the winning dog of the day! The day after the event, runners’ times (bib numbers only) will be available to view on the website.

The event has been generously sponsored by The Bridge Inn, Dulverton (who are putting together a special Fun Run menu on the day) and local businesses, Stag Environmental (who have provided the pictured trophies) and Dulverton’s excellent music shop, Oggies Music.

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The Dulverton Trail Fun Run & Canicross 2026

This year’s Dulverton Trail Fun Run & Canicross 2026 will be its sixth successful year, and is set to take place on Sunday 20 September. Cross country running along 5km or 10km routes through the beautiful countryside around Dulverton, Exmoor – with or without your dog of course!

In true Exmoor style, the run will combine some tough gradients but was described by one experienced trail runner last year as an “excellent traditional trail run”. Setting off from the Exmoor Lawns in Dulverton, in front of Exmoor House, the route will take runners through Burridge Woods beside the picturesque River Barle and along to Marsh Bridge.  Those running both 5k and 10k routes will climb the hill in Looseall Wood with a hydration point at the top.

The 10k route will then veer off towards the triangulation point at Court Down with panoramic views towards Dartmoor to the south and Dunkery Beacon (Somerset’s highest point) to the north. See the picture above. All runners complete the run downhill along the track known as School Lane and back to the Exmoor Lawns.

Reserve Your Space Now

Online bookings are now open via this link and many entries have already been received. The entry price remains the same as in previous years – £15 choosing either the 5k or 10k route. Walkers are also invited in 2026 to join the event on the 5k route. All ages and abilities are very welcome.

Fun Run Breakfast and Cakes

The Bridge Inn (our fabulous pub located right beside the Exmoor Lawns and the historic bridge over the River Barle) is planning an amazing Fun Run Breakfast on the day for all comers (to be ordered between 11 and 11.45am) – Filled Rolls at £7.50 with smashed avocado, cucumber and crispy onion or bacon, lettuce and tomato. A fried egg or hash browns can be added for £1.50.

There will also be the popular Tea Tent set up on the Exmoor Lawns selling tea, coffee and delicious cakes!

Warm Up, Briefing and Prizes!

On the day itself, registration is from 9am, there will be a fun warm up session and a briefing by the Race Director from 10am and the start time is 10.30am. All competitors will be awarded a tasteful, eco-friendly wooden medal, that will double as a key ring after the event – exclusively handcrafted by Exmoor Engraving, who will also create a beautiful wooden treat box for the winning dog of the day!  Sponsors Stag Environmental will award the engraved ‘Dulverton Stag Canicross Winner’ trophy too!

Sponsors

The organisers from Visit Dulverton are extremely grateful to have the support and generous sponsorship in 2026 of The Bridge Inn, Dulverton and local businesses Stag Environmental, suppliers of Polaris ATVs and UTVs on Exmoor, and Dulverton’s excellent music shop, Oggies Music, a one stop destination for all your musical needs.

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Visit Dulverton’s Secret Gardens on 21 June

Come to the beautiful Exmoor town of Dulverton on Midsummer’s Day, Sunday 21 June (10am to 4.30pm) and discover twelve of its secret private gardens open to the public for just one day.  The Dulverton community is extremely grateful to these green fingered residents who have generously volunteered to showcase their gardens for an excellent charitable cause.

The event is run by Visit Dulverton volunteers and a generous donation from the proceeds will be donated by Dulverton Town Council to the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

Discover a whole variety of gardens of all sizes

Visitors to the ‘Secret Gardens of Dulverton’ event will be issued a map of Dulverton with their admission tickets, with the location and details of each of the gardens.  Tickets (£7 per person) are available to purchase in advance from Dulverton Post Office and the Tantivy shop and café in Dulverton.  Children under 16 go free.  All the gardens are within a comfortable walking distance of each other in the heart of Dulverton and well-behaved dogs are welcome on leads.

On the day itself, tickets (at £8.50) will be available to purchase in  Dulverton Town Hall – where you’ll also be able to enjoy light refreshments.  Many of the town’s eateries and shops will be open for this lovely summer event!

Dulverton Town Hall with summer baskets

The event has been generously sponsored by The Bridge Inn, Dulverton.

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Dulverton Family Dog Show Hailed a Great Success!

The second annual Dulverton Family Dog Show was held on Sunday 24 May on the Exmoor Lawns beside the River Barle in our pretty moorland town and was hailed a great success! The forecast promised to be extremely hot and sunny, so the organisers (volunteers from Visit Dulverton) ensured that the show ring, the refreshment stalls and seating were all put well into the shaded beneath the trees. Plenty of water bowls were put out for visiting dogs and all the dog owners who attended were delighted with the care shown. Needless to say, the ice cream van did a roaring trade!

Show Judge Pauline Tolhurst BVSc MRCVS and her assistant Sue Blackmore were also happy to go ahead with the event with the show ring in the shade.  Both said they were impressed with the attention to detail and the standard of event organisation. Almost 200 entries were taken for the 16 classes – including traditional classes such as the Cutest Puppy (up to 12 months old) and the Best Working Dog, with a new class for the Best Local Gun Dog (living within 5 miles of Dulverton). There were also classic fun classes such as the Dog with the Waggiest Tail and the Best Sit and Stay. All the classes were well attended and Masons Kings vouchers were awarded to the winner of each class, with rosettes to 4th place.

A great catch in the Best Ball Catcher class!

The overall Best in Show (title picture) was Welsh Springer Spaniel, Lottie from Norton Fitzwarren, with her owner Helen Hayes. The Best in Show and Reserve Best in Show took home a fabulous rosette; a hamper donated by Masons Kings of Exebridge, filled with a wide collection of doggie treats and toys; and a beautifully engraved photo frame in the shape of a kennel, created by Exmoor Engraving of Minehead.

Reserve Best in Show was Lurcher, Murdock from Luccombe, with his owner Lux Flind. Lux and Murdock had also won the ‘Dog Who Looked Most Like It’s Owner’ class, with his brindle colour coat captured brilliantly by Lux wearing a tiger costume!

Winner of the Dog Who Looked Most Like Its Owner class, Lux Flind and Lurcher, Murdock

 

Winner of the Fancy Dress class, Jack Russell Terrier, Wilbur with his owner Jeff Pegrum – “Jack in a Box”

The Fancy Dress class was new for 2026 and was won by Jack Russell Terrier, Wilbur from Dulverton, with his owner Jeff Pegrum – Wilbur was a ‘Jack in a Box’! Other great costumes included Sarah Burton’s Jack Russell Terrier, Lord Snowdon and German Wirehaired Pointer, Ludo dressed as Batman and Robin; and Allison Crisp’s Cocker Spaniel puppy, Theo dressed as a tiny lion with Allison as a lion tamer!

Cocker Spaniel Puppy, Theo, as a tiny Lion with owner Allison Crisp as his Tamer!

 

Batman and Robin, aka Lord Snowdon and Ludo

Four-legged friends of all ages, sizes and breeds were warmly welcomed to this fabulous Exmoor community event.

The event was generously sponsored by local businesses The Bridge Inn, Shalden Shooting School, Tarr Farm Inn and Masons Kings. Thanks to animal photographer Billie Isaac of Field & Fable Photography for the many excellent photos of Dulverton’s four-legged friends. A selection of Billie’s photos and others can be found HERE.

Make a note of the date for next year’s show – Sunday 30 May 2027.

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Dulverton by Starlight 2025

Dulverton by Starlight is a crowning jewel in Exmoor’s winter events calendar with plenty to keep the whole family busy with seasonal fun on Sunday 7 December from 2pm to 7pm.

Fireworks lighting up All Saints Church (image, Ali Pegrum)

Festive Shopping and Entertainment

The shops in this pretty moorland town will be open from lunchtime and the main Fore Street will be closed to traffic and filled with stalls selling local crafts, food and drink.  There’ll be an indoor Christmas market in Dulverton’s iconic Town Hall and roaming entertainers will juggle, bubble and amuse you throughout the afternoon. You’ll meet Elf Off the Shelf, Mysterious Merlin, Captain Coconut, the West Somerset Morris Dancers, the Rackenford Rascals Brass Band and the Mid Devon Singers

Children can visit Father Christmas in his grotto in the Dulverton Heritage Centre and get their faces painted while they wait.

Carol singing with the Mid Devon Singers by Ali Pegrum

Carol Singing and Fireworks

Get fully into the festive spirit by joining in with singing your favourite carols around the huge Christmas tree in Bank Square, from 5.45pm, then watch the spectacular fireworks display as the sparkles burst over the roof of All Saints Church from 6.15pm.

FREE Parking

Dulverton Town Council will pay for FREE parking in the town’s car parks on the three Saturdays running up to Christmas – that’s 6, 13 and 20 December.  PLUS Dulverton by Starlight will pay for FREE parking on Starlight Sunday 7 December.

Raffle Prizes and Sponsors

There are some AMAZING raffle prizes to win, donated by generous individuals and small businesses around Dulverton and the our grateful thanks to sponsors G C Stanbury, Remote Therapies, Woods Bar & Restaurant, Exmoor Distillery, Risdons Solicitors, Seddons Estate Agents, Westcars of Tiverton and The Tantivy.

Full details on the event, the day’s schedule, the list of stallholders, raffle prizes and entertainment can be found here.

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Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival 2025 – “A tour de force”

The fourth annual Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival took place on 14 to 17 November in venues across the town and has been described by audience members and authors as “a tour de force” and an “impressive and inspiring literary weekend”. According to one festival-goer, the event is “now firmly established as a gem in Exmoor’s crown”.

The Salt Path scandal

In a packed All Saints Church (pictured above), Observer investigative journalist Chloe Hadjimatheou revealed how she discovered the truth behind certain aspects of author Raynor Winn’s ‘memoir’ The Salt Path, in conversation with Rachel Johnson (the talk being filmed for a Sky documentary to be on air mid-December).

L to R: Chloe Hadjimatheou, Rachel Johnson and Ali Pegrum, Festival Director

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

Royal biographer Andrew Lownie spoke about his research into the life of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, sharing details from his book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York – the book that contributed to the former prince’s dramatic fall from grace.

Hiroshima

Historian Iain MacGregor, in conversation with Joshua Levine, spoke to a sell-out audience about his latest book The Hiroshima Men, commenting afterwards that it was “a wonderful festival experience: well organised, great venue, exceptional author care and a really friendly, knowledgeable audience.”

Iain MacGregor signing copies of The Hiroshima Men

Margaret Thatcher

Another sell-out event was hearing Jonathan Dimbleby and Iain Dale talking about Iain’s recent biographical title Margaret Thatcher.

L to R: Jonathan Dimbleby and Iain Dale

Crime and True Crime

Smiling crime writers L to R: Sarah Pearse, Hannah Richel, Amy McCulloch and interviewer Sarah Lutyens

There was a panel of brilliant crime thriller writers including Hannah Richell, Amy McCulloch and Sarah Pearse; and a true Devon crime talk with John Cornwell (author of Earth to Earth) and Rachel Johnson.

Rachel Gilmour MP pictured right chatting with author John Cornwell.

Nature & Conservation

L to R: Ruth Pavey, Rachel Campbell-Johnston, Catrina Davies and Hannah Bourne-Taylor

The Nature & Conservation panel of authors featured the remarkable Hannah Bourne-Taylor, detailing her continued fight to save our swifts, alongside writers Ruth Pavey and Catrina Davies, chaired by writer and art critic Rachel Campbell-Johnston.

Music and Cornwall

BBC Radio 3 classical music presenter Petroc Trelawny chatted with virtuoso violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen about his love of Cornwall and music.

Multi-million copy bestselling author Ruth Hogan chatted with her agent Lisa Highton about her latest heartwarming novel The Light A Candle Society.

Petroc Trelawny greeting festival-goers

The Red Dress Project

New venues were used for this year’s Festival – including the Tarr Farm Inn for an excellent Literary Lunch with William Sitwell – and the Dulverton Heritage Centre for talks around the remarkable global embroidery project The Red Dress with Kirstie Macleod and Emma Bovill; Profitable Farming with Chris Clark and Robin Milton; and Taking Risks with authors Hilary Bradt and Victoria Eveleigh.

L to R: Kirstie Macleod and Emma Bovill of The Red Dress Project

Jane Austen

It was a weekend of anniversaries, with Jane Austen’s 250th birthday celebrated by authors Jessica Bull and Helen Kelly; Penny Adie celebrating 25 years of the Two Moors Festival with her accompanying book; and Karen Minto looking back at 25 years of The Moorland Mousie Trust and the Exmoor Pony Centre with the original book that inspired the charity, Moorland Mousie.

Jane Austen authors L to R: Jessica Bull and Helena Kelly

Jessica Bull’s Austen-themed socks!

Book Club and Winning Young Writers

This year’s Book Club talk was a particular highlight, with national treasure and former All Creatures Great and Small actress Carol Drinkwater travelling from her home in the South of France to chat about her latest novel alongside bestselling authors Veronica Henry and Kate Lord Brown.  Following this talk, prizes were presented to the winners of the annual Festival Children’s Writing Competition which was won this year by Finley Richardson (10), with runners up Grace Griffiths-McDonald (11) and Edie Richards (5). Finley’s excellent poem about Exmoor can be found on the Visit Dulverton website.

L to R: Veronica Henry, Finley Richardson, Kate Lord Brown, Carol Drinkwater and Edie Richards

Story Corner and Meet the Local Author

There was something for everyone at this year’s event, from Children’s Story Corner book readings in the Bridge Inn, to the fabulous Schools Day talks with former Children’s Laureate Lauren Child and the opportunity to chat informally with a host of local authors in the Library, including Moleskine – the Festival’s first canine author!

Festival-goer Stephanie Blackmore wrote “it was remarkable to have persuaded such a brilliant and diverse range of authors to venture down to Exmoor”.

Children’s Story Corner with author Anne Parsons

 

The Festival’s first canine author, Moleskine, with her ‘humum’ Gill Whitehead

Overwhelming Feedback

Dulverton Town Hall

Festival Director, Ali Pegrum said “The feedback of the entire long weekend has been overwhelming, with many people commenting on the warm atmosphere and how the Festival is always so engaged and friendly. The wonderful volunteers are brilliant, and my enormous thanks to the generous sponsors that support the event, as well as the Friends of the Festival.  It is particularly pleasing to see so many people in Dulverton that have never attended a literary festival before, including many children, and many of whom are looking forward to next year’s event already!”

The dates for next year’s Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival are already in the diary – Friday 13 to Monday 16 November 2026.

Event Sponsors & Friends

Our grateful thanks to this year’s Festival Friends and to our generous sponsors – local individuals and small businesses, including: Stockham Farm Exmoor, Tozers Solicitors, Jackson Stops,Taunton, The Dulverton Development Programme, Mr and Mrs Prebensen of Hollam House, The Exmoor Society, Risdon Solicitors, Jeff Pegrum Landscaping, Rupert White Interiors, Exmoor News, Ware Construction,  Osteo & Physio Tiverton, Rothwell & Dunworth Antiquarian Books and Pet Pain Relief of Dulverton.  Our thanks also to the following for their support of the event: Dulverton Town Council, The Bridge Inn Dulverton, Tarr Farm Inn, Exmoor Magazine and Waterstones of Taunton and Barnstaple.

If you would like to support the Festival in the future as a sponsor or as a Friend, please go to the Literary Festival page or get in touch with Ali Pegrum via the Visit Dulverton website or at hello@visitdulverton.com.

 

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Scandal comes to the Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival!

Don’t leave it too late to get your tickets to some remarkable talks at the fourth annual Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival from 14 to 17 November. Enjoy some powerful stories and thought-provoking conversations with many of the UK’s top writers in Dulverton Town Hall and other venues around this small moorland town.

This year, scandal comes to the Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival. Where else will you hear first-hand about the research into the truth behind the story of The Salt Path by Raynor Winn? Observer investigative journalist Chloe Hadjimatheou will be telling festival-goers about her findings that have scandalised all those who believed in the story upon which the bestselling book was based.  Also over the weekend you will hear royal biographer Andrew Lownie talk about his discoveries into the lives of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew) and Sarah Ferguson, as he shares details from his book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York. This is the book that contributed to the former prince’s dramatic recent fall from grace.

Celebrate literary legend Jane Austen’s 250th birthday with Jessica Bull and Helena Kelly; hear about Margaret Thatcher with Iain Dale and Jonathan Dimbleby; understand Hannah-Bourne Taylor’s fight to save our swifts; learn about the men behind the tragic Hiroshima bombing 80 years ago with Iain MacGregor and Joshua Levine; delve into a Devonshire true crime story with John Cornwell and Rachel Johnson; meet much-loved actress Carol Drinkwater, talking about her writing with authors Veronica Henry and Kate Lord Brown; meet multi-million copy bestselling novelist Ruth Hogan and her agent; learn about writing top crime thrillers with Hannah Richell, Amy McCulloch and Sarah Pearse; and enjoy Petroc Trelawny’s love of music and Cornwall with virtuoso violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen.

There is something for everyone at this year’s event, from a literary lunch with author, columnist and MasterChef judge William Sitwell to the Children’s Story Corners book readings to be held in the Bridge Inn on Saturday and Sunday mornings (with FREE admission to all!).  Hear about the global embroidery Red Dress Project that now features in the Guinness Book of Records; Exmoor ponies; the Two Moors Festival; taking risks on foot and horseback; profitable farming and meet seven local authors, including bestselling author Elizabeth Delo and Moleskine – the Festival’s first canine author!

The full programme and tickets are available via the Visit Dulverton website and HERE – many events have already sold out, so be quick to guarantee your seats!

Festival Director, Ali Pegrum said “In just a week’s time, Dulverton is looking forward to welcoming a whole host of extraordinarily talented writers, bringing an often-requested slice of literary culture to Exmoor. We are immensely grateful to the many local businesses and individuals for sponsoring the event, thus enabling it to go ahead for a fourth consecutive year.”

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