The Swadlincote Festival of Words is returning to the town of Swadlincote, Derbyshire, from 19 March to 22 March 2026, to celebrate local storytelling and creativity. Hosted primarily at the historic Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, the four-day event offers a variety of author performances, poetry readings, and hands-on workshops for residents.
This year’s line-up features screenwriter Deborah Haywood, who will lead a creative workshop, and poet Martyn Fisher, performing his work titled Poems in the Key of Grrr. The programme also includes open mic nights for local voices and a dedicated children’s event called The Imaginarium, which focuses on activities for families and younger visitors.
According to Visit South Derbyshire, the festival aims to bring the community together in the heart of the town’s historic district. The event has become a regular fixture in the local calendar since it was first held in early 2024, blending the town’s famous pottery heritage with modern literary arts.
The festival includes a mix of free activities and ticketed performances held within the museum’s unique industrial setting. By using a venue that once powered the local clay and manufacturing industry, organisers hope to highlight both the history and the future of creative talent in the area.
