Whitby Literature Festival 2025: A Storybook Weekend by the Sea
The very first Whitby Literature Festival took place last week from Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th November 2025, and what a wonderful weekend it was. Our seaside town came alive with words, ideas, and creativity, as authors, readers, and storytellers gathered to celebrate Whitby’s rich literary heritage.
From the Abbey above to the harbour below, Whitby was filled with conversations, readings, and inspiration — the perfect setting for stories to unfold.
A Town Made for Storytelling
It’s no surprise Whitby was chosen to host its own literature festival. The town’s dramatic skyline, atmospheric history, and winding streets have long inspired writers — from Dracula’s creator Bram Stoker to Charles Dickens and Lewis Carroll.
Throughout the weekend, visitors wandered between venues, stopping for poetry readings, author Q&As, and creative workshops. Independent cafés and local shops joined in the spirit too, offering literary-themed treats and displays. The energy in town was unmistakable — a shared celebration of imagination and storytelling.
Literary Highlights
The festival’s debut line-up was something to be proud of. Headliners included Sir Alan Ayckbourn, Lee Child, Miriam Margolyes, and Rob Rinder, I got to see two events and have been inspired. Elodie is almost rivelling Lee Child who reads around 350 books a year!
There were lively panel discussions, book signings, and hands-on sessions — from crime fiction to coastal poetry.
Local voices shone, too. Young writers from nearby schools read their work aloud, and community poets shared verses that captured the town’s spirit. It truly felt like Whitby was writing a new chapter for itself. Elodie’s story about meeting St Hilda’s ghost at the Abbey was my favourite!
There were lively panel discussions, book signings, and hands-on sessions — from crime fiction to coastal poetry.
Local voices shone, too. Young writers from nearby schools read their work aloud, and community poets shared verses that captured the town’s spirit. It truly felt like Whitby was writing a new chapter for itself. Elodie’s story about meeting St Hilda’s ghost at the Abbey was my favourite!
As the final talks wrapped up on Sunday and the sea mist rolled in, it was clear that something special had begun. The Whitby Literature Festival 2025 didn’t just celebrate books — it celebrated community, creativity, and everything that makes Whitby unique.
Plans are already underway for next year’s festival, promising even more authors, workshops, and events. If the first year was the prologue, 2026 is sure to be an exciting new chapter. Book your Lit Fest break from 19th – 22nd November 2026