Inside the 'vibrant' maritime festival bringing world-class authors to the Devon coast

The Appledore Book Festival is preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary this September, marking two decades since a local campaign to save a village library evolved into one of the UK’s most significant cultural events.

The festival, which runs from 18 to 27 September 2026, will host almost 100 events across 10 days in the North Devon maritime village.

While the 2026 line-up is yet to be fully revealed, organisers say the milestone year will build on the success of previous guests, which have included Martin Clunes, Alexander Armstrong, and Rose Ayling-Ellis.

The festival’s origins are rooted in local activism. It was founded as a charity in 2006 by Nick Arnold, the best-selling author of the Horrible Science series, in an emergency bid to raise funds to save Appledore Library from closure.

Organisers say the campaign “successfully united the local community,” and Mr Arnold continues to play an active role in the festival today.

What began as a single-purpose fundraiser has since transformed into a major fixture on the literary calendar. 

The event is still managed “almost exclusively by a loyal team of hardworking volunteers,” who handle everything from event stewarding to “adorning the village with bunting.”

Beyond the main stage talks, the festival operates as a non-profit organisation with a focus on education.

Funds raised from the 10-day event are directed back into the local community and used to fund the Appledore Book Festival’s Schools’ Week Programme.

A spokesperson for the festival said: “As a charity, our aim is a simple one: to inform, to entertain, and above all, inspire a love of reading and writing, across North Devon and beyond.”

The charity added that its core mission remains to “increase the enjoyment of reading and creative writing by providing access to inspirational events for all ages.”

During the festival, the quiet quayside of Appledore is expected to see a significant influx of visitors. 

High-profile patrons, including Jeremy Vine, Ann Cleeves, and Veronica Henry, are confirmed to return for the 20th-anniversary celebrations.

The festival’s coastal setting remains a key part of its draw. 

Organisers noted that the “beautiful maritime village location and welcoming venues” often see world-class authors “out and about enjoying an ice-cream or relaxing in one of our fabulous cafés and bars.”

The full 2026 programme is expected to be announced in the coming months, with walks and tours also planned to allow visitors to explore the area's maritime history alongside the literary schedule.