Butser Ancient Farm in Hampshire is set to host a weekend of fantasy, history, and creativity on the 18th and 19th of October, 2025. The much-loved Butser BookFest will once again celebrate literature, history, folklore, and fantasy within the extraordinary landscape of the South Downs and an open-air experimental archaeology site.
Visitors will have the opportunity to step into a world where myth meets history and stories come alive among reconstructed ancient buildings. They can wander between Roman villas, roundhouses, and Saxon meadhalls while immersing themselves in storytelling, poetry, and performance inspired by nature and myth.
This year’s festival will feature inspiring author talks and book signings from bestselling writers including Conn Iggulden, Samantha Shannon, Elodie Harper, Amy Jeffs, and Lucy Holland. Visitors can also attend live storytelling, poetry, and performance sessions, as well as take part in creative workshops and hands-on activities such as lino-print bookmark crafting and archery.
The festival will also have something for the whole family to enjoy, including engaging children’s writing workshops led by award-winning author Angela McAllister and hands-on sessions with poetry and drawing led by bestselling children’s writer Smriti Halls. Families can also take part in storytelling sessions and outdoor activities that spark imagination and creativity for all ages.
Sofie Kitts, the festival founder and organiser, expressed her excitement for the event, saying, “Nothing brings historically inspired fantasy and fiction, folklore and nature writing to life quite like celebrating it in a setting such as ours, surrounded by the rolling South Downs and thatched roofs of Saxon meadhalls and ancient roundhouses.” She added, “We are so fortunate to regularly connect with so many booklovers, artists, and writers, and we’re thrilled to bring them together in a venue like no other literary festival takes place with such a diverse and fascinating programme of workshops, talks, and more.”
Butser Book Festival is not just a celebration of books, but also an opportunity to experience the magic of stories ancient and new in an inspiring setting. It is the perfect weekend for families, bookworms, craft-lovers, and writers alike. Tickets are now available for purchase on the festival’s website, where visitors can also book in-depth workshops and explore the full programme. As spaces for workshops are limited, advance booking is strongly advised.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Sofie at Butser Ancient Farm via email at sofie@butserancientfarm.co.uk or by phone at 023 9259 8838. Alternatively, visit the festival’s website at https://www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/butser-literary-book-festival.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.