Lanson Poetry Festival

The inaugural Launceston Poetry Festival - 29 May - 1 June 2025

This inaugural Festival brings some of the country’s best poetic talent to the town of Launceston at the end of May. The programme features comedian and poetry fan Frank Skinner, BBC Radio 2 folk musician Jackie Oates, and internationally renowned poets Ella Frears, Pascale Petit, Daljit Nagra, and Fiona Benson. The Festival will be opened by the Lord Lieutenant, Edward Bolitho, the new town Mayor and novelist Patrick Gale. There is a full and free community programme of creative activities for families hosted by Festival poets across the whole weekend. A mighty programme heading to Launceston in just a few weeks’ time.

The Launceston Poetry Festival has been organised by the Charles Causley Trust and supported by the Cornwall Community Foundation (Sedel-Collings Foundation and the Carew-Pole Charitable Trust), The Alan Hickinbotham Memorial Fund, FEAST, Launceston Rotary, WBW solicitors, and private donations. In partnership with Guillemot Press, Clemo Books, The Poetry Pharmacy, English Heritage, Comical Entertainment and the Universities of Falmouth, Glasgow, and Plymouth.

This festival is on course to be an annual event – one which fills the gap left by previous poetry festivals in Cornwall. It’s an opportunity to bring some internationally renowned writers and performers to East Cornwall, creating an accessible and subsidised programme for the local community, whilst showcasing Launceston and its literary heritage – bringing new visitors and interest to the town.

Join us for a weekend packed with performance opportunities, a chance to share and develop your own work, whilst listening to and watching some of the best poets and performers in the UK. There are weekend Festival tickets available (including a Launceston’s Locals’ Pass) and events will be held across the town, in the Castle, Town Hall, Merchant House and library.