What’s On

An incredible opportunity to receive a one-to-one session with poet John Whale, editor of Stand Magazine. You’ll be offered personalised feedback and editorial advice on your work. One 40-minute session…more

Whether a seasoned poet or new to writing, you will get a great deal from this special workshop with two of the country’s best-loved poets and tutors, Ann and Peter…more

Explore the particular energy of a poetic sequence: drawing on a range of contemporary sequences for inspiration, you’ll consider what impact pushing, reshaping and riffing on an idea, word or…more

As Larkin said, ‘Days are where we live’ – something happens in every one of them, whether mundane or momentous. In this workshop we will explore the poetic potential of…more

An incredible opportunity to receive a one-to-one session with poet John Whale, editor of Stand Magazine. You’ll be offered personalised feedback and editorial advice on your work. One 40-minute session…more

An incredible opportunity to receive a one-to-one session with poet John Whale, editor of Stand Magazine. You’ll be offered personalised feedback and editorial advice on your work. One 40-minute session…more

Climb on board the North Yorkshire Moors Railway – the world most-visited heritage railway – with the person who’s been its custodian for over 30 years. Paul ‘Piglet’ Middleton has…more

The paintings of Johannes Vermeer – The Girl with a Pearl Earring, A View of Delft and The Milkmaid – are some of the most sublime in the history of…more

Get together with other poetry lovers in our friendly, informal group session hosted by Pamela Crowe and Nicky Kippax, two of Word Up North’s 2026 New Northern Poets. You’ll take…more

Join Ann and Peter Sansom of The Poetry Business for an entertaining and warm-hearted celebration of libraries and favourite books. Enjoy readings by Ann and Peter from a special ‘Library…more

Celebrated sportswriter Duncan Hamilton fell in love with cricket because he first fell in love with Garry Sobers, the West Indian cricketing great. Hamilton counts himself as ‘blessed’ to have…more

Join us for a screening of a landmark of modern British cinema, The Beatles 1964 feature film A Hard Day’s Night. Shot in a documentary style, the film captured Britain…more

Writing Narrative Voice for Impact and Feeling Explore writing in different narrative voices, register and form. Using extracts from Emma Conally-Barklem’s own collections, the session will involve practical writing activities,…more

Vicky Bennison, creator of the beloved Pasta Grannies YouTube channel, travelled across Italy to meet real Italian nonnas and discover the secrets of their delicious, traditional cooking. Meeting the women…more

Poet, broadcaster, entertainer and national treasure Pam Ayres has been making the nation laugh for half a century. In a special matinee event, Ilkley Literature Festival welcomes Ayres to talk…more

Join us for a showcase of readings by poets associated with Poetry@Leeds, the hub for poetry research, teaching and public engagement at the University of Leeds. Participating poets include J.R….more

What if activism is making change harder, not easier? Is there a better way? Award-winning campaigner Anthea Lawson draws on more than thirty years of experience on the frontlines to…more

Join us for a showcase of readings by exceptional poets associated with The Rialto and Stand Magazine.  Hannah Copley is the T.S. Eliot prize shortlisted author of two collections and…more

In 1958, a small bear from Peru was introduced to the British public. Inspired by creator Michael Bond’s memories of displaced Jewish children during World War II, A Bear Called…more

Hear from Word Up North’s 2026 cohort of New Northern Poets: Pamela Crowe, Nicky Kippax, Wendelin Law, Becky May, Barsa Ray, and Spencer Wood. This is a unique opportunity to…more