Visiting & Venues
Winchester is a city steeped in history and with strong literary connections.
Home to Jane Austen and the inspiration behind Keats’ famous ode ‘To Autumn’. What better place to visit and listen to rich tales of fiction, explorations of fact and have the opportunity to pose your questions, get your books signed and meet your favourite authors.
All our venues are accessible and range from the intimate to the grand. Whether you prefer a debut writer or a star of stage and screen, the Winchester Books Festival has something for everyone.
Winchester Books Festival April 2026
A short recap from April 2026
Our Venues
The Arc
Jewry St, Winchester SO23 8SB (Capacity 175)
The Library
Jewry St, Winchester SO23 8SB (Capacity 50)
Middle Brook Centre
Middle Brook St, Winchester SO23 8DQ (Capacity 700)
The Guildhall
The Broadway, Winchester SO23 9GH (Capacity 525)
The Wessex Centre
8A The Cl, Winchester SO23 9LS (Capacity 100)
Fiction Friday at our 2026 Festival
Our audiences love our festival events
“Thank you very much for another great festival. I very much enjoyed the breadth and variety on offer.
Highlights for me were the Dames Harriet and Vikki, Patrick Gale, and Tim Bouverie”.
Winchester Books Festival April 2026
Some lovely audience feedback from our Festivals and One-off events
"It was the best day."
We love the Books Festival. Highly recommend it!
"My favourite author."
Wonderful venue and event. Coming back.
"I met my hero!"
It made my day to meet Jon Sopel!
"I loved it!"
Our event was so brilliant that I am off to write!
"Brilliant event and venue."
Our first book event and it was perfect.
"Events and venues for everyone to enjoy".
The accessibility and accommodation in this festival has made us feel far more reassured, accepted, and at ease with each event.
Children's author Rob Biddulph thrilled our full house.
Really well done with the festival - it’s amazing! We’re very lucky to have it in our city thanks to you.
Jon Sopel at Winchester Books Festival 2026
Watch our Jon Sopel event for free
Ever wondered what a literary event is like? Watch the wonderful Jon Sopel event from our 2026 Winchester Books Festival for free (1 hr watch time).
We were lucky enough to be joined by Jon Sopel, former BBC North America correspondent and co-host of global hit podcast The News Agents.
You can watch the recording here for free anytime on any device or share with a friend.
We hope you enjoy it as much as our audience did and look forward to seeing you at an event soon.
Just say hello
If you have any special requirements, please do let us know how we can help.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
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