Having commanded British forces in Iraq, UN forces in Kosovo and peacekeeping missions in Bosnia, there are few soldiers alive today with as wide an experience of the theatre of war and conflict as General Sir Mike Jackson.

We hope you enjoyed our 11th anniversary Festival – our biggest year yet with more events, and record ticket and book sales. Five days packed with best-selling authors, lively panel debate, workshops and more events for children than ever before!

The 2019 Festival programme included:
Dame Hilary Mantel, Robert Harris, Cressida Cowell, Jenny Eclair, James Runcie, Kirsty Wark, Dr David Nott, Joanne Harris, Peter Hanington, Christina Lamb, Adam Kay, Lisa Jewell, Emma Smith, Louis de Bernières, John Lewis-Stempel, Baroness Camilla Cavendish, Melanie Reid, Tom Holland, Susie Orbach, Tracy Borman, Diana Darke, Alison Weir, Paul Mason, Dominic Sandbrook, Diane Setterfield, Felicity Cloake, Tanya Landman, Simon James and many more…

We’ll have one-off events throughout the year, so watch this space!

Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival is a powerful blend of challenging debate, inspiring ideas, new fiction, and best-selling, award-winning writing combined with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, making it one of the most exciting and burgeoning literary festivals in the UK.

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside…

‘I had a fantastic time. The festival was such a pleasure to be part of – brilliantly organised, wonderful audiences and good book sales to boot!’
Henry Hemming, author of Our Man in New York

‘Every tiny detail was thought about, and it was simply a pleasure.’
Caroline Elton, author of Also Human

‘I was frankly bowled over by how big and professional and smooth running it was. Fantastic!’
Tim Pears, author of The Horseman

‘Such a heavenly experience. Glorious setting, lovely audience, expert but kindly interviewer.’
Allison Pearson, author of How Hard Can It Be?

‘How right everyone is to say that it’s the best hospitality on the circuit. I had a great time, and felt so well looked-after in every way. Particularly impressed by your command of the weather!’
Emma Darwin, author of This is Not a Book About Charles Darwin