For a small rural town, Sturminster Newton is attracting some seriously big literary hitters. This June, Damien Lewis, Tracy Chevalier, and Natasha Solomons are among the headline acts for the Sturminster Newton Literary Festival – a ten-day celebration (6th to 15th June) of books, words, ideas, and community.
Now in its sixth year, Stur LitFest continues to grow, with a packed 2025 programme including over 20 events, from scenic walks and author talks to a writing competition and cultural activities celebrating both local and international voices.
There’s international flair too – the festival will be part of a UK book launch by Australian writers Jonathan and Christine Hainsworth, whose research has uncovered the story of Susanna Ashley-Cooper, 4th Countess of Shaftesbury, who championed the original (and uncut!) Shakespeare plays in the 1740s.
Other programme highlights for 2025 include:
- Damien Lewis, military historian and author of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare bringing to life daring SAS escapes
- Internationally acclaimed author (and North Dorset resident) Tracy Chevalier on Venetian glassmakers and Sturminster artist and suffragette Mary Lowndes
- Adventurer Jessica Hepburn, the first woman to run the London Marathon, climb Everest and swim the Channel
- Rachel McLean and Tess Burnett, award-winning crime writers with a West Country twist (Rachael will be discussing How to Find a Dorset Location to Dump a Body, which is always useful to know)
- Greg Duncan on his family’s links to the French Resistance
- Lorraine Gibson delving into the glitzy fashion of Elvis Presley in what would have been his 90th year
The programme also honours local legends Hardy, Barnes and Young, celebrates new writers, and includes a special event aimed at welcoming the local Bulgarian community.
Tickets and full programme: sturlitfest.com
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