Ways with Words Festival at Dartington

Ways With Words returns to the picturesque Dartington Estate for its 30th anniversary festival this July

After two years of social distancing and limited audiences, Ways With Words festival organisers are excited to return to Dartington Hall for a full ten day festival from 8th to 17th July. They hope to see new and familiar faces at the estate this summer.

Some of the biggest names in journalism, science, arts, history, politics and entertainment will visit the Dartington Estate this July. Festival Presidents Polly Toynbee and David Walker, Delia Smith, Roger McGough, Salley Vickers, Rachel Billington and Patrick Barkham are just a handful of speakers in the line-up of the Ways With Words’ 30th anniversary festival. You will also find local talent including poet Matt Harvey, environmental journalist and writer Anna Turns, and Professor Daisy Hay in the vast programme the festival will offer this summer. Festival visitors can immerse themselves in new concepts, meet some of their favourite authors and engage in thoughtful conversations during this celebration of words and ideas.

Also returning to the festival is classicist and comedian Natalie Haynes, “Leah Varnell and her team are unsung superheroes of the literary festival world. They’ve spent years developing their festivals into fascinating, revelatory, entertaining, informative, intimate occasions. The audiences are always brilliant: interested, enthusiastic, exactly what you hope for when you walk out onstage.”

With the option to come for the full ten days and stay in accommodation within Dartington’s medieval courtyard, visit for the weekend and camp in the estate’s campsite, or pop in for the day to see just a handful of events, everyone can build their own festival experience.