You love books? Reading? Poetry? A fun and friendly vibe? You’re our kind of person! Wild Words Festival is for people who love books but don’t “do” literary festivals. Who need a more laid-back experience.

a man and a woman are lying on a picnic blanket. She is reading and looks happy, the man is looking into the distance, relaxed
A woman and a young teen smile and wave in a field full of people. The woman has a tellow flower in her hair and glitter on her face. The child looks confident and content
a man reads to a toddler outside in a sunny woodland

Wild Words Fest is for everyone who enjoys the written or spoken word with performances, panels, workshops, and author talks. If Hay Festival is the Fortnum and Mason of literary festivals then Wild Words is your local farmers’ market.

Wild Words Fest is for families, with a dedicated kids tent and an intergererational silent disco!

It’s for people who find traditional literary festivals inaccessible, with BSL interpreters and relaxed performances as standard.

It’s for people who like hot street food and cool camping.

Come and join us!

Book now on eventbrite

Super earlybird prices until October 31st 2021

Who’s appearing

The progamme runs 2pm Friday the 3rd June to 3pm on Sunday 5th June with three main stages and lots of other activities around the site.

For kids and younger teens our headliners are Annabelle Sami (author of the hilarious Llama out Loud series and the Agent Zaiba Investigates books) and Mitch Johnson (author of the adventure books Kick! Pop! and Spark!) We also have storytelling workshops, theatre-making activities, crafts, games, and much more.

For older teens and adults, our headliners include international bestsellers Sophie Hannah (author of the new Poirot mysteries,) Vaseem Khan (author of the Malabar House and Baby Ganesh series) and incredible newcomer Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?

Cover of Pop! by Mitch Johnson
Cover of llama on a mission by annabelle sami
promotional image for Kev F Sutherland's Comic Art Masterclass
Cover of Midnight at Malabar House by Vaseem Khan
Cover of THe Dying Squad by Adam Simcox
Cover of Where the World turns Wild by Nicola Penfold
Cover of Cow Girl by Kirsty Eyre
Cover of THe Mystery of the THree Quarters by Sophie Hannah
Cover of Yinka Where Is Your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn
Cover of Agent Zaiba Investigates the Haunted House by Annabelle Sami
Cover of Haven't They Grown by Sophie Hannah

We also have some incredible panels. You can find out what crime fiction and romcoms have in common, get the inside story on how comics and games are written, learn how to write and publish your own stories, take part in a mission to run a base on Mars, and learn about the man who supercharged James Bond.

How do I get there?

Colesdale Farm is close to Potters Bar and Enfield. We’re encouraging people to come by public transport if they can – the nearest station is Cuffley – a 15 minute walk – while Potters Bar is a short cab ride away.

We have free parking for blue badge holders and chargeable parking if you really do want to come by car. The parking money will be used to pay for some of the green initiatives at the festival.

All tickets include free camping, so when you arrive you can pitch your tent and stay for the whole weekend, or come and go as you please with your wristbands. Our camping is basic (water but no power) but beautiful – and there’s streetfood, a cafe, and plenty of good quality toilets onsite. The site is secure and well drained – no mudbaths here. Why not stay and enjoy the wild?

An enamelled tin mug which reads "happy camper" is resting on some logs
a woman speaking onstage
a peaceful campsite at surise
a smiling man leans out of the window of a food truck

What if I have more questions?

Check our FAQ’s, tweet us @wildwordsfest or email emma@wildwordsfest.com with your questions!

Where do I get tickets?

From our lovely Eventbrite page! Tickets start at £90 (adults) and £35 (kids) for the weekend, with camping included. We also have free tickets for under fives, and free PA tickets for people who need support to access the event.