Festival lineup

Enjoy the ultimate guided walk, exploring Daphne du Maurier's Fowey

Professor Janet Todd marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen by showing how Austen has inspired and challenged her personally through different phases of her life.

In conversation, Iain Dale will delve into the legacy of one of the most influential and controversial figures in modern British history.

Join us for an exclusive interview with the acclaimed author Michael Morpurgo, renowned for his powerful storytelling and unforgettable characters.

Join Sir Graham Brady as he offers unique insights into the character and choices of successive Prime Ministers, the Administrations they led, and what the future holds for the Tory party.

Festival Film Night - a screening of critically acclaimed War Horse, based on the bestselling novel by Michael Morpurgo.

Did you know your handwriting reveals more than words? Join internationally renowned graphologist, Christina Strang, for a fascinating journey into how our brains shape every stroke we write, and what […]

Join Chrissie Le Marchant on this fascinating circular walk, exploring two historic villages and how they were treated in du Maurier's writing.

Join Dr Patrick Newberry as he explores, Vanishing Cornwall du Maurier's relationship with this enchanted place, making the case that it deserves to be recognised as one of the best twentieth–century studies of Cornwall.

Find out what your handwriting reveals about you, in this one-on-one analysis with expert Graphologist, Christina Strang.

Marking the centenary of the birth of Tony Benn in 1925, David Parker talks about his long relationship with Benn and shows the film he made Tony Benn’s Defining Moments.

Find out what your handwriting reveals about you, in this one-on-one analysis with expert Graphologist, Christina Strang.

Curator and acclaimed author, Julie Summers, tells the story of British Vogue magazine from its first issue in 1916 to the present day.

For the eightieth anniversary of the end of World War Two, Dr Tessa Dunlop's poignant book examines the inspirations and individuals behind our statue-studded country to rediscover war-torn Britain in 100 monuments.

Since his inaugural performance with Steeleye Span in 1970, Peter Knight has been a mainstay of the British folk scene. In the wake of Steeleye Span, Peter turned his attention […]

Join us for a live recording of Where Politics Meets History, a new podcast with Iain Dale and Dr Tessa Dunlop.

Acclaimed wild food guide takes you on a foraging exploration to discover the power of seaweeds.

Meet the Festival Team - An exclusive Friends of the Festival event.

Join Rachel Lambert's hedgerows walk and find out about the wonderful world of foraging and how to be a wise, successful, and sustainable forager.

Join three experts in their own field for an insightful discussion on the creative process and the connections between writing and the land.

Dr Serena Trowbridge discusses Frankenstein and its legacies and explores why a novel written by a teenager over 200 years ago still matters today.

Alan Johnson presents a fascinating portrait of Harold Wilson, positioning him as a truly twentieth-century man.

Bestselling historical novelist Alison Weir, delves deep into the life and legacy of one of Tudor England's most influential figures, Thomas Wolsey.

Join Dr Serena Trowbridge for this reading group on du Maurier's Don't Look Now and Other Stories

This is your opportunity to learn about Daphne du Maurier, her life, her novels, and Fowey. You will be led by Chrissie Le Marchant who has been leading guided walks […]

Join acclaimed author Patrick Galbraith for an intriguing talk about his thought-provoking book, Uncommon Ground.

Lunchtime recital with Truro School's talented A-level musicians.

Join Nicola Tallis in conversation with fellow historian Kate Williams, for an in-depth conversation on her latest book, Young Elizabeth

Join acclaimed author Jon Stock as he delves into the murky history of Dr William Sargant’s links with the CIA and M15, both of which took a close interest in his efforts to reprogramme the human mind. As compulsive as a thriller, The Sleep Room finally gets to the truth of a scandal at the heart of the British medical establishment.

Join renowned Royal expert, Kate Williams, for a tour of the UK’s most fascinating palaces, past and present, to unveil the scandalous and little-known stories hidden between their walls.

Join us for a fun and diverse Festival Quiz Evening packed with everything you love!

Join Kate Aspengren for a reading group discussion of Daphne du Maurier’s final novel, Rule Britannia.

Natasha Solomons will be in conversation with Kate Williams as she discusses her latest book, Cleopatra

Join Tim Hubbard for a fascinating talk about his highly acclaimed book Secret Gardens of Cornwall

Join Cornish conservationist and veteran Merlin Hanbury-Tenison, as he talks about his inspiring new book, Our Oaken Bones.

Join two bestselling authors, Helen McGinn and Veronica Henry, for an exclusive joint talk and wine tasting event.

Company B is a renowned jump jive band hailing from sunny Cornwall. Over the last 15 years, this remarkable 7-piece band have been performing wide and far, from London Science Museum […]

Join Dr Ella Westland, author of Reading Daphne, for an informal reading group discussion on My Cousin Rachel

Nicholas St Aubyn’s new book is about survival. Saints and Sinners reveals the remarkable truth about a single family navigating a thousand years of history.

Join Jennie Godfrey as she discusses her novel, The List of Suspicious Things, with bestselling author Veronica Henry.
One of the most talked about debut books of 2024, it became a Sunday Times top ten bestseller soon after publication. Recently, it has been shortlisted for Book of the Year for Debut Fiction in the 2025 British Book Awards.

Today Philip Marsden will delve into his thought-provoking book, Under A Metal Sky: A Journey Through Minerals, Greed and Wonder.

Internationally acclaimed author Joanne Harris discusses her new novel Vianne, the highly anticipated prequel to her world-famous Chocolat, which was adapted into an Oscar nominated film.

Get ready for an unforgettable night of pure ABBA magic! Join us as Take A Chance On Us, the ultimate ABBA tribute experience take to the stage.

Discover what makes Cornwall so inspiring in this writing workshop designed to help writers capture a strong sense of place. In this two-hour workshop, Emily Charlotte, freelance writer and editor, […]

Ronnie Turner and Sam Horton will be delving into their creative processes, exploring the themes of their books, and discussing the inspiration behind their latest books.

Discover the rich history, culture, and spirituality of Cornwall with The Rev Canon, Nigel Marns.

The Mischief Makers is a haunting, stylish fictional reimagining of the life of Daphne du Maurier and her mysterious association with J M Barrie.

The Spy and the Devil is a riveting tale of espionage, intrigue, and the untold story of the MI6 Agent who penetrated Hitler’s inner circle.

Join Professor Vybarr Cregan-Reid as he discusses literature being a vital part of who we are and challenges us to reclaim the magic of reading.

Enjoy the filmed sell-out staged concert version of Les Misérables at the Gielgud Theatre, featuring an all-star cast including Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Matt Lucas and John Owen Jones.

Liz Fenwick and Amanda Geard talk about their latest novels, writing journeys and the inspiration behind their books.

Mark Mitchley will be talking about his latest book Cornwall's Literary Heritage and delving deeply into Cornwall's fascinating writers and legends.

Part history, part memoir, this is a deeply felt exploration of Cornwall - past, present and future.

Architectural historian Dr Patrick Newberry brings to life the history of Cornwall’s families who lived in in some of Cornwall’s greatest houses and their impact on Cornwall. 

John Suchet, a lifelong fan and acknowledged authority on Beethoven, talks about his latest book In Search of Beethoven.