Lostwithiel Winter Words – Cornwall Book Festival 2027
Looking for a book festival in Cornwall this winter? Lostwithiel Winter Words 2027 takes place on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 January 2027, bringing together authors, readers and book lovers for a weekend celebrating books, reading and the spoken word.
Held in the historic Cornish town of Lostwithiel, the festival features author discussions, readings, a book swap, live music and free children's events. Whether you're visiting for a particular author or simply looking for something different to do in Cornwall, here's everything you need to plan your visit.
What's in This Guide?
- Saturday 30 January – Festival Programme
- Free Children's Events
- Sunday 31 January – Festival Programme
- Tickets, Booking & Venue
- Visit The Lost Bookshop & Tea Rooms
- Getting Here – Trains & Free Parking
Saturday 30 January 2027 – Festival Programme
The first day of Winter Words includes a book swap, discussions with authors and an evening of Cornish music and dancing.
Main venue: Lostwithiel Social Club, 28 Fore Street, PL22 0BL.
| Time | Event & Speakers |
|---|---|
| 11:00–12:00 |
Welcome & Book Swap Bring a book you've enjoyed and would like to swap (optional). |
| 12:00–13:00 |
Literary Magazines in Cornwall Tim Hannigan, Sravya Raju & Peter McAllister |
| 14:30–15:30 |
How Writers Read Clare Howdle, Clare Owen & Helen Trevaskis |
| 16:30–17:30 |
Nature on the Edge Michael Malay, Ben Smith & Luke Thompson |
| 19:30–21:30 |
Nos Lowen with Caracana An evening of Cornish folk music and dancing. |
View Saturday's programme and book tickets on Eventbrite
Free Children's Events – Saturday 30 January
Winter Words also has something for younger readers, with free children's activities at Lostwithiel Library on Saturday afternoon.
Venue: Lostwithiel Library, North Street, Lostwithiel, PL22 0EG.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 13:30–14:00 | Storytelling with Puppets |
| 14:00–15:00 |
Tom Palmer Children's author event, aimed at ages approximately 9–13. |
There will also be workshops helping to launch drawing and story competitions on the theme of winter. Please check with the organisers for further details.
Sunday 31 January 2027 – Festival Programme
Sunday brings more opportunities to discover writers, explore the world of publishing and enjoy a relaxed celebration of reading, ending with a spoken word open mic night.
Main venue: Lostwithiel Social Club, 28 Fore Street, PL22 0BL.
| Time | Event & Speakers |
|---|---|
| 11:00–12:00 |
Silent Reading Bring a book, enjoy some companionable reading and a complimentary hot chocolate. |
| 12:00–13:00 |
Seasons of Reading Women Speak Volumes SW |
| 14:30–15:30 |
Reading to Connect Hazel Larkin, Paul Taylor McCartney & Lucy Reynolds |
| 16:00–17:00 |
Judging Books by Their Covers Luke Thompson (Guillemot Press) & Tom Chalmers (The Book Social) |
| 17:30–18:30 |
The Lost Folk Lally MacBeth, Sam Horton & Matthew Shaw |
| 19:30–21:30 |
Kowsel Spoken Word Open Mic Night Original spoken word performances on the theme of wintering. |
Important: Advance booking is essential for the Kowsel open mic night, including audience places. Anyone wishing to perform should contact the organisers in advance at lowenderlenna@gmail.com.
View Sunday's programme and book tickets on Eventbrite
Festival information is correct at the time of writing. Events, speakers and timings may be subject to change, so please check the official listings before travelling.
Winter Words Tickets, Booking & Venue
The main festival programme is ticketed, with separate booking pages for Saturday and Sunday. Tickets can be purchased online through Eventbrite:
The children's activities at Lostwithiel Library on Saturday are free.
For further information about Lostwithiel Winter Words 2027, please contact the festival organisers at lowenderlenna@gmail.com.
Where Is Lostwithiel Winter Words Held?
The main festival venue is:
Lostwithiel Social Club
28 Fore Street
Lostwithiel
Cornwall
PL22 0BL
Lostwithiel Social Club on Fore Street, the main venue for Winter Words 2027.
The Social Club is conveniently located in the centre of Lostwithiel, within walking distance of the railway station, independent shops and places to eat.
Visiting Lostwithiel? Pop Into Our Bookshop
If you're coming to Lostwithiel for Winter Words on Saturday 30 January, we'd love to welcome you to The Lost Bookshop & Tea Rooms, just a short walk from the festival venue.
We'll be open during our normal Saturday hours, so whether you're arriving early or have a little time between talks, why not pop in, warm up with a freshly brewed coffee and enjoy something to eat?
You'll find our independent bookshop inside The Old Duchy Palace, one of Lostwithiel's most remarkable historic buildings. We have a wide selection of fiction, non-fiction and children's books to browse, along with gifts and our welcoming tea rooms.
There's no rush here. Take your time, explore the shelves and perhaps discover your next favourite book.
The Lost Bookshop & Tea Rooms
The Old Duchy Palace
1 Quay Street
Lostwithiel, Cornwall
PL22 0BS
Find out more about our bookshop
Getting to Lostwithiel – Trains & Free Parking
Lostwithiel is a small historic town, and parking can become busy during special events. If you're travelling from elsewhere in Cornwall, we'd recommend considering the train.
Travelling to Lostwithiel by Train
Lostwithiel has its own railway station, just a short walk from the town centre and the festival venue.
Travelling by train is a convenient option if you want to avoid searching for parking. Just remember to check your return train times, especially if you're attending one of the evening events.
Free Parking in Lostwithiel
There are two main free parking areas within walking distance of the festival.
Community Centre Car Park – PL22 0HE
This free public car park is located beside Lostwithiel Community Centre, with access from the A390. From here, it's a short walk into the town centre.
Quay Street & Riverside Parking – PL22 0BS
Follow Fore Street downhill towards the Co-op and turn onto Quay Street. Continue past The Lost Bookshop & Tea Rooms, inside the historic Old Duchy Palace, to find further free parking alongside the River Fowey and towards Coulson Park.
Parking spaces can fill quickly during weekends and special events, so allow a little extra time if you're driving.
Explore a Little More of Lostwithiel
If you have some time between festival events, why not explore a little more of the town?
Lostwithiel was once the medieval capital of Cornwall and remains full of character, with historic buildings, independent shops and lovely walks beside the River Fowey.
The town is also well known for its antiques shops, where you can browse everything from vintage curiosities to furniture and collectables.
For more ideas, take a look at our guide to antique shops in Lostwithiel.
We're delighted to support Lostwithiel Winter Words and wish the organisers every success with the festival. We hope everyone visiting Lostwithiel enjoys a wonderful weekend of books, reading and conversation.