The Taunton Literary Festival returns for 2026 with a varied programme of author talks, poetry events, conversations and guest speakers. Hosted by Brendon Books, the festival brings together well-known writers, poets, broadcasters and historians for a celebration of literature, storytelling and ideas.

The Taunton Literary Festival 2026 celebrates the written word through an extensive programme of talks, readings, performances and workshops featuring bestselling authors, poets, broadcasters, historians and cultural commentators. Events explore a wide range of subjects including literature, poetry, nature, crime writing, history, politics, climate action, music, transport, media, local heritage and creative writing.

Hosted primarily by Brendon Books in Bath Place, the festival also includes events at Temple Methodist Church, Taunton Library and the Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre. Special guests include Caroline Quentin, Sophie Hannah, Robin Ince, Iain Dale, Christian Wolmar, Robin Lustig, Stephen Moss and many more.

Talks:

Michelle Diaz – Raising Ghosts
Tuesday 15th September, 7:00pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Home and Abroad, A Poetry Life: Graham Fawcett in Conversation
Thursday 17th September, 6:30pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Caroline Quentin – Drawn to Nature
Tuesday 22nd September, 7:00pm
Temple Methodist Church, Taunton TA1 3PY

Oliver Randall – Writers in Whites
Thursday 24th September, 7:00pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Sophie Hannah – The Opposite of Murder / Work Experience
Thursday 1st October, 7:00pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Ellie Barker – What Really Happened to Me
Tuesday 6th October, 2:30pm
Taunton Library, Paul Street, Taunton TA1 3XZ

Rachel Morley – Church Crawling: The Secret Lives & Hidden Histories
Wednesday 7th October, 7:00pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Anthea Lawson – How Not to Save the World
Thursday 8th October, 7:00pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Luke Knight – Knight Tales: Tales From Old Somerset
Friday 9th October, 7:00pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Helen Tompson – The Book Was Better: What Adaptations Can Teach Us About Storytelling
Tuesday 13th October, 6:30pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Thomas Rutter – Ethical Gardener
Thursday 15th October, 6:30pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Fire River Poets with Special Guest Katie Griffiths
Sunday 18th October, 2:00pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Robin Ince – The Future of Jokes
Monday 19th October, 7:30pm
Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, School Road, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton

Love and Friendship – Performed by Imogen Smith
Tuesday 20th October, 8:00pm
Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, School Road, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton

Kate Lord Brown & Sarah Easter Collins
Tuesday 27th October, 2:30pm
Taunton Library, Paul Street, Taunton TA1 3XZ

Stephen Moss – The Puffin: A Biography
Wednesday 28th October, 7:00pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Bruce Thompson – No Ordinary Neighbour
Friday 30th October, 7:00pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Robin Lustig – And the Cello Came Too
Wednesday 4th November, 6:30pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Jean Sprackland – Night Visions / Goyle, Chert, Mire
Thursday 12th November, 7:00pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Iain Dale – Have I Said Too Much: My Life in Politics & The Media
Friday 13th November, 7:00pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Marc Burrows – The Story of the Christmas No.1: Mistletoe and Vinyl
Monday 16th November, 7:00pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Dennis Coath – The Band That Time Forgot & The Band That Time Forgave
Tuesday 17th November, 2:30pm
Taunton Library, Paul Street, Taunton TA1 3XZ

Elizabeth Delo – Writing Workshop: Captivating Characters
Tuesday 17th November, 7:00pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Louisa Treger – Fatal Love
Wednesday 18th November, 7:00pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Sara Hudston – A Life Outside: Hope Bourne on Exmoor
Thursday 19th November, 7:00pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Michael Smith – Towards the Coldest Place: The Long March to the South Pole
Tuesday 24th November, 7:00pm
Temple Methodist Church, Taunton TA1 3PY

Christian Wolmar – Fast Track: The Extraordinary Story of High Speed Rail
Friday 27th November, 7:00pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

Murky Waters: The Fourth Elliot Todd Mystery
Monday 30th November, 6:30pm
Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton TA1 4ER

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