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Turning the page on Farnham Literary Festival 2026

Hugo Berger

<p>Seeing Alexander Armstrong at the Farnham Literary Festival proved anything but pointless. (Photos courtesy of Natalia Sharomova/Farnham Town Council)</p>
<p>Seeing Alexander Armstrong at the Farnham Literary Festival proved anything but pointless. (Photos courtesy of Natalia Sharomova/Farnham Town Council)</p>

Stories, debate and entertainment filled venues across Farnham as TV hosts, political figures, musicians and bestselling authors gathered for this year’s Farnham Literary Festival.

BBC Breakfast host Reeta Chakrabarti discussed her new novel Finding Belle.
BBC Breakfast host Reeta Chakrabarti discussed her new novel Finding Belle.

The 11-day festival, organised by Farnham Town Council with festival partners, closed its 2026 chapter on Sunday, March 15 after hosting more than 60 events featuring more than 100 writers, performers and presenters.

Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt MP in discussion with former Lib-Dem leader Vince Cable.
Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt MP in discussion with former Lib-Dem leader Vince Cable.

Among the highlights was an appearance by Pointless host and Hey Duggee narrator Alexander Armstrong, who entertained a young audience at Farnham Maltings.

A youngster shows his poetic flair during the Farnham Poetry Competition.
A youngster shows his poetic flair during the Farnham Poetry Competition.

Armstrong spoke in the Great Hall about his second children’s book, Evenfall: The Tempest Stone, in conversation with fellow children’s author Jack Meggitt-Phillips.

Earlier in the week, BBC News chief presenter Reeta Chakrabarti appeared at St Andrew’s Church to discuss her debut novel Finding Belle.

Local writers were also given a platform. At the Celebrating Local Authors event at Farnham Library, readers sampled short talks described as “speed dating for authors”.

Poets also had their moment, with the winners announced in the Farnham Poetry Competition.

History and current affairs were also explored during the programme.

On Thursday, March 12, historian and author Hilary Roberts joined writer and historian Olesya Khromeychuk for a discussion on how war is documented, interpreted and experienced.

However, not every event went ahead as planned, with Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse postponing her appearance at St Andrew’s Church after falling ill.

The 2026 line-up also included Ruth Ware, Louis de Bernières, Joel Dommett, Merlin Crossingham, Steven Moore, Bex Hogan and Sir Vince Cable in conversation with Sir Jeremy Hunt.

Family events, creative writing sessions, film screenings, storytelling performances and competitions were also held as organisers marked the festival’s fifth year.

Cllr Kika Mirylees, the town council’s lead member for community and culture, said the event was “a vibrant celebration of literature in all its forms”.

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