Leah Varnell and Lucy Matthews of Bookends, the organisers of the Words by the Water festival are pleased to announce the line-up of this June’s festival. In addition to author talks and discussions there is much on offer, from theatre with a one woman show by touring theatre company On a Role exploring the life of much loved children’s author Enid Blyton, to music from the Bookshop Band and also a few intimate and interactive workshops over the weekend.

The festival will also host events exploring Shakespeare’s language with Ben and David Crystal, Marie Elsa-Bragg on her work ‘Sleeping Letters’, the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine with Journalist Luke Harding and Robin Ince and Natalie Haynes evening events offer humour.

Regional talent features strongly in this festival, not just with a Bookcase Day and an On Our Doorstep day with events highlighting Cumbrian writers on those themed days, but also across the whole festival programme including radio personality Stuart Maconie, Kerry Irving (and the dogs!) and Helen Rebanks on her debut book The Farmer’s Wife. Day tickets are available to access all Studio events. Other themed days include Women and History, Journeys and Identity and the Self.
An early treat as an appetiser for the festival is the appearance of Alexander McCall-Smith on the 10th May at Theatre by the Lake. Tickets available now.

Leah Varnell Festival Director Writes: “It is wonderful that we are putting on a 5 day festival of words and ideas again in the beautiful Lake District. It has felt like a long year with no festival in 2023 so it is very exciting to be back in 2024 with Words by the Water and working alongside Lucy and Gwenda Matthews of Bookends to bring debate, discussion and entertainment in Theatre by the Lake this June.”

Lucy Matthews, Bookends Director writes: “We are delighted to have an increased role in programming this much loved festival. We all hope that everyone who attends this year’s festival will recognise all the work that has gone into making the festival happen, and that everyone will leave feeling restored, nourished and revitalised by the wealth of words and ideas on offer.”

Melvyn Bragg - festival co-president writes: “Welcome back to Keswick and what has been called ‘the jewel of literary festivals’, Words by the Water.”

Marie-Elsa Bragg - festival co-president writes: “Cumbria has a profound literary history to build on. Words by the Water has brought writers to experience the wild beauty of our mountains and lakes whilst readers of every generation share and debate their ideas. This year, I am grateful to have been asked to step forward again as co-president in the hope that this cultural hub will continue.”

Speaker and Guardian Journalist Polly Toynbee writes: “During the past two decades, for so many book lovers (and authors) the calendar reminds us to head to Keswick and a trip to Derwentwater for the stimulation, fun, companionship (and good eating) of Words by the Water.”

Tickets can be bought online at Theatre by the Lake, by phone on 017687 74411 or in person at the Theatre box office. 

The box office is open Monday to Saturday, noon - 7.30pm

Ticket Availability for the Words by the Water Festival June 5th – June 9th
Booking is open. Individual ticket prices are clearly shown for each event. We also have day tickets and festival passes. When you click on ‘Buy Tickets’, you will be directed to the Theatre by the Lake website.

Studio Day Passes and Festival Passes - contact Theatre by the Lake for details

Book Your Tickets Here