Spotlight On: York Literature Festival 2014

The summer may be the season of festivals, but you don’t have to wait until the sun is high in the sky to appreciate some culture and entertainment. Head to York in March and you will be able to enjoy the Literature Festival in all its glory, and be part of this 11-day celebration of literary heritage that both York, and its surrounding area, boasts.

Take a look at the York hotels from Travelodge and stay in the city for a day or more, so that you can enjoy the festival first-hand. With so much on offer in and around York to keep you occupied, you could easily incorporate some of the festival’s top events into a jam-packed city break that you deserve.

The popularity of this literary festival continues to skyrocket every year, and 2014 promises to be full of spectacular events ranging from theatre and storytelling, poetry and talks to family-friendly events and author meet and greets.

Headline events at this year’s festival can be found throughout the schedule, including a talk by popular feminist and women’s liberty advocate, Germaine Greer, held at the Royal York hotel and events centre on the 20th March, as well as two events (29th and 31st March at St. Peter’s School) with John Humphrys at the helm, who is an author and journalist, as well as the current presenter of Mastermind. On the 28th March you can enjoy a headline slot by the much-admired poet, Roger McGough. He can be found at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre at 7:30pm – tickets cost £13 and are bookable online.

While the headline acts are certainly something to catch, families will also be well-catered for, with several top events for the children to enjoy, too. Anyone with kids will likely be familiar with husband/wife combo, Janet and Allan Ahlberg, who have created some sensational books during their career. At the York Castle Museum on the 24th March, you and the little ones can enjoy a live recital of their popular book, Burglar Bill. On the 26th March, the museum is also home to a pre-school story time, perfect for keeping the youngsters engaged and enthralled by the magic of the written word.

Be the first to hear the results of the literature festival’s poetry competition, or join a workshop led by three prize-winning poets who have made a name for themselves over recent years. You can find this at the York St John University on the 25th March. There’s also a range of plays and theatrical performances scheduled, including Austen’s Women at the York Theatre Royal on the 28th March, which takes a look at some of the renowned female roles that Jane Austen introduced in her works.

Whether you’re a lover of poetry, theatre, literature or debates, there’s bound to be something to be enjoyed at the York Literature Festival. Take a trip to the city and enjoy a couple of days in this medieval haven. Time your visit well and you’ll be able to enjoy some of the events in store at the festival, running between the 20th and the 31st March. 

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