Books on the Beach

Welcome to the Torbay Literary Festival website. Our aim is to (1) Bring high-quality unique live cultural events to the Bay; (2) Celebrate Torbay generally and bring more people to it, to help celebrate its beauty and all we have to offer; and (3) encourage reading in people of all ages.
 
Our first full weeklong festival in August 2026 was a huge success, and we will be back at The Palace Theare Paignton on 9^th-15^th August 2027. Some of the authors and entertainers who appeared included 
 
Stephanie Austin, Louis Barfe, Christopher Biggins, Bowie Experience, Paul Burrell, Iwan Carrington, Hunter Davies, Lady Anne Glenconner, Malvyn Hayes, John Hegley, Merlin Holland, Alexander Larman, Helen Lederer, Kathy Lette; Roger Lewis, Chris Manby, Roger McGough, Georgina Moore; Lesley Pearse, Sarah Pearse, Mike Pickering, Su Pollard, Simon Robinson, Georgia Toffolo Dame Harriet Walter,  Andrew Wilson and A.N. Wilson.
 
Our next event is our ‘Christmas Books weekend, at the Assembly Rooms, Torquay on 27^th-29^thNovember 2026, further details can be found on the relevant page on this website. If you want up-to-date information and early access to all our events, then please hit the ‘Subscribe’ button on this page and enter your e-mail address and we will send you the occasional e-mail.

In the meantime, thank you so much for your support.

Ben Tisdall (Festival Director)