From politics to environmental science, history to fiction, comedy to cuisine, four packed days of events have been announced for the 20th Lichfield Literature Festival. 

Taking place from 19-22 March 2026 in settings across the city, Lichfield Literature celebrates the written word with a plethora of leading authors addressing wide-ranging topics from their recent book releases.

Among the highlights are broadcaster and music lover John Suchet who goes In Search of Beethoven; celebrated historian, and Lichfield Festival patron, Tracy Borman who uncovers the true events of James I’s succession; and best-selling historian Alison Weir on five 15th century queens caught up in wars that changed their lives. In fiction, award-winning author and comedian Robert Newman (best known as one half of TV’s Newman & Baddiel) brings his unputdownable novel about wartime love and espionage. 

There is fascinating insight and comment from both sides of the political divide, from the diaries of former Conservative Chief Whip Simon Hart whose term spanned Brexit, Liz Truss and the invasion of Ukraine, and from Guardian parliamentary sketch-writer and satirist John Crace.  Andrew Lownie, biographer of the now former Duke & Duchess of York, has been a daily fixture on radio and TV for his authoritative comment on the unfolding news stories.  Meanwhile, journalist Lucia Osborne-Crowley, who reported daily from the Ghislaine Maxwell trial, considers what true reparative justice should look like.

Charles Saumarez Smith explores the life and legacy of the great architect John Vanbrugh on the tercentenary of his death, while stonemason and conservator Andrew Ziminski shares his fascination for medieval church architecture.

The festival’s 22 events span the colliding worlds of geopolitics and climate change, to the surprising stories of patients that explain the brain’s role in our identity, and the light-hearted memoirs of Pierre Novellie, a stand-up comedian and radio host (his new BBC Radio 4 series aired in January) who, thanks to a heckler, was diagnosed with autism aged 31.  Other diverse subjects include the life of George Orwell, a chef’s tour of British cuisine, and popular culture of the inter-war years with historian Alwyn Turner who spent his teenage years in Lichfield. 

Lichfield Literature opens on 19 March with novelist Annie Garthwaite and her story of the fierce maternal ambition of Cecily, Duchess of York, the first to claim the title ‘The King’s Mother’.

Damian Thantrey, Director of Lichfield Festival which organises Lichfield Literature, said “Our spring Literature Festival continues to go from strength to strength and we’re thrilled with the list of authors who will be joining us in March for our 20th anniversary season.  With 22 events across 4 days, there are highlights aplenty whatever your interests, so please do come and join us to celebrate the power of books and words to move, inspire and provoke conversation!”

Lichfield Literature Festival takes place from 19-22 March 2026.  General booking opens 10 Februarry, find out more at lichfieldfestival.org.