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Celebrate Words at Cheltenham Literature Festival 2025
Every October, the Cotswolds comes alive for one of the UK’s premier humanities gatherings: the Cheltenham Literature Festival. In 2025 it runs from 10–19 October, with events across Cheltenham’s elegant Regency buildings, bookstores, theatres, and salons.
The Cotswolds Gentleman
Over ten days you’ll find author talks, panel debates, workshops, poetry readings, and immersive experiences. Big names in fiction, non-fiction, journalism, and politics converge with local voices and emerging writers. Whether you’re deeply literary or a casual reader, there’s something that will spark your curiosity — from true crime, memoirs, and nature writing to creative writing clinics.
But a festival like this is more than sessions. Cheltenham is a beautiful town on the edge of the Cotswolds, with leafy squares, art deco architecture, cafés, gardens, and independent shops. Between festival slots you can stroll through Montpellier Gardens, browse the independent bookshops, or enjoy local cafés and restaurants.
Staying close makes the difference. If you base yourself in a charming retreat through The Cotswold Retreats, you enjoy the perfect blend of tranquility and access. Think early mornings in village lanes, a relaxed evening by the fire, and easy travel into Cheltenham for festival days. Whether you choose a secluded cottage, renovated farmhouse, or cosy country hideaway, you’ll have a peaceful base after a day of events.
If you’re planning a literary escape this October, don’t miss out. Book your preferred dates at TheCotswoldRetreats.com, then lock in your festival tickets. Pair the emotional high of a powerful author event with the calm of countryside charm — that’s the ideal Cotswolds literary getaway.