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.
