Words by the Water

Words by the Water Festival of Words and Ideas celebrates 25 years in Keswick at the Theatre by the Lake this March.

The 5-day festival runs from Wednesday 11th to Sunday 15th March. Bookends Director Lucy Matthews and Festival Director, Leah Varnell look forward to an invigorating and informative series of events.

Words by the Water will explore ideas around literature, history, environment, poetry and current affairs. We are delighted to welcome distinguished speakers including Lee Child, Tony Juniper, Brian Bilston, Penny Mordaunt, Prue Leith, John Crace, Val McDermid, Andrew Miller, Mary Beard and Chris Bonington plus eminent Cumbrian writers Sarah Hall and M W Craven.

Once again we are working closely with the local community including The Arts Society Cumbria who celebrate 50 years with a special event featuring art historian and TV presenter Bendor Grosvenor. Artist Julian Cooper will discuss his life and work which will be on show in a free exhibition in the Circle Gallery during the festival.

Rounding off the festival will be a special event with Cumbrian women writers in memory of Kay Dunbar who supported many emerging and new writers and who founded the festival 25 years ago.

Enjoy browsing through the events. We look forward to a stimulating five days.