Performance poet Dizraeli, and Hannah Silva, shortlisted for the Ted Hughes award, top the bill at Canterbury’s Wise Words festival, from Friday 4 April to Sunday 6 April. There’s an inclusive feel to this festival, with a soapbox street slam, including bicycles, and spoke 'n' word with Joelle Taylor, Dan Simpson and others. Many of the events are free. More details

 

PHOTOGRAPH: GREG FREEMAN / WRITE OUT LOUD 

 

APRIL

Cheltenham poetry festival, until 6 April

Cambridge literary festival, 1-6 April

Wise Words festival, Canterbury, 4-6 April

Stamford verse festival, 10-12 April 

Dorothy Wordsworth festival of women's poetry, Grasmere, 11-13 April 

Wenlock poetry festival, Shropshire, 25-27 April 

 

MAY

Strokestown poetry festival, Co Roscommon,  2-4 May 

Poetry-next-the-sea, Wells, Norfolk, 9-11 May

Bodmin Moor poetry festival, Liskeard, 30 May-1 June 

Suffolk poetry festival, Stowmarket, 31 May 

 

JUNE

Bodmin Moor poetry festival, Liskeard, 1 June 

Bridlington poetry festival, 12-15 June

Dinefwr literature festival, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, 20-22 June

Cornwall contemporary poetry festival, Calstock, 28-29 June

 

JULY

Wirral Festival of Firsts,  5-13 July 

 

SEPTEMBER

Winchester poetry festival, 12-14 September