To See & Do
Launceston Poetry Festival: 1-3 May 2026
Launceston Poetry Festival 2026 Brings National Poetry Talent and Community Celebration to Cornwall
The Launceston Poetry Festival 2026 returns from 1–3 May 2026, transforming the historic Cornish town into a vibrant centre for poetry, creativity and community. Organised by the Charles Causley Trust, the Festival presents a wide-ranging programme that brings together leading contemporary poets, local voices, workshops, walks, talks and free events across the town.
The 2026 programme showcases what Festival Patron Sir Andrew Motion describes as “some of the UK’s best poetry talent,” noting that it is “rare to see a line-up like this outside of London” and praising the Festival’s blend of community-based and staged events as a powerful continuation of Charles Causley’s literary legacy.
A remarkable concentration of prize-winning poets - including winners of the T. S. Eliot Prize and Forward Prize - will be reading from their collections, including Victoria Adukwei Bulley, Mona Arshi, Liz Berry, Sarah Howe, Luke Kennard and Philip Gross.
Workshops with Acclaimed Poets and Creatives
The 2026 Festival offers an extensive workshop programme led by established poets, writers and artists. Highlights include a festival writing workshop with Ella Frears, whose poetry collections have been shortlisted for major UK prizes, and poetry surgeries with Jane Holland, offering one-to-one support for developing poets.
The programme also includes workshops and drop-in sessions with Jane Newberry for young children, eco-poetry sessions at Cyprus Well with Ian Boyd-Livingston, letterpress poetry workshops with Becca Drake, and a publishing-focused event with Luke Thompson of Guillemot Press.
Walks, Talks and Literary Heritage:
Guided walks and talks invite audiences to explore Launceston through a poetic lens. Events include A Walk in Charles Causley’s Launceston with Rob Tremain, a Causley Poetry Walk led by writer and academic David Devanny, and guided tours of Launceston Castle, one of Cornwall’s most significant historic sites.
Visitors can also attend an open house at Cyprus Well, offering an opportunity to see the poet’s study and learn more about his life and work in the town he called home.
To Book Festival Passes and Tickets:
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