The best Children’s book festivals near Stroud in the National Year of Reading

Families can book an author event, then make a day of it at the Mill with pay-as-you-can food from The Long Table, low-cost children’s books and clothes at Kids Stuff, the play area, creative activities and space to explore between sessions.

Brimscombe Mill Kids Book Fest

2026 is the National Year of Reading, and across the South West there are brilliant festivals helping children, young people and families discover the joy of books, stories and imagination.

From major literary festivals in Stroud, Bath and Cheltenham to local family events here at Brimscombe Mill near Stroud. This autumn is full of opportunities to meet authors, hear stories, take part in workshops and help children find their way into reading.

Here at Brimscombe Mill, we are proud to be part of that wider celebration with our first ever Brimscombe Mill Kids Book Fest, taking place from 8–10 October.

A new children’s book festival at Brimscombe Mill

Brimscombe Mill Kids Book Fest is a joyful, low-cost festival for families, bringing national and local children’s authors, stories and creative activities to the heart of our community.

Across the festival, children can enjoy author talks, interactive shows, quizzes, singing, drawing, storytelling, workshops, book signings and a festival competition.

This is a book festival designed for all children, from confident readers to those who have not found their way into reading or loving books yet.

Tickets are just £4.50, with free “on us” tickets available, so no child needs to miss out because of cost.

National and local authors coming to Brimscombe Mill

We continue to be amazed and very excited to have attracted such a great mix of national and local authors, illustrators and storytellers to Brimscombe Mill.

Confirmed names include:

• Onjali Q. Rauf

• Alex T. Smith

• Helen Peters

• Hannah Shaw

• Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre

• John Dougherty

• Wren James

• Andy Hussey

• Tom Percival

Families can expect everything from animal stories and magical drawing parties to graphic novels, poetry, adventure stories, interactive quizzes, book signings and creative workshops.

For local children, this is a rare chance to see national authors close to home, without needing to travel to a city or pay high festival prices.

Why Brimscombe Mill is hosting a book festival

So, what has a book festival got to do with Brimscombe Mill?

Everything.

Brimscombe Mill is a community hub where families can eat, play, shop, reuse, learn, connect and take part. We are home to social enterprises including The Long Table, Kids Stuff, Home Remedy, Bike Drop and Climbing Commons, all working together to make everyday life more affordable, more connected and more joyful.

A children’s book festival fits that mission perfectly.

Books are not just about school. Stories help children imagine, ask questions, understand other people, build confidence and discover new worlds. But not every family can easily access author events, workshops or literary festivals.

That is why this festival has been designed to be low-cost, welcoming and accessible, our families that visit daily know us well, we’ve built a great deal of trust with them over the years. They spend the holidays with us, rely on us for support when they’re low on funds or in need of connection and this festival is just an extension of this.

What makes Brimscombe Mill Kids Book Fest different?

There are amazing book festivals across the South West and so we’ve tried to make this one built around our normal values here from the start.

As a reminder, all of our events are always available with a ‘free’ option and a paid option. so tickets for ours are £4.50, and there are free “on us” tickets available through the same booking system as paid tickets.

No awkward questions. No separate process. No different experience. No one knows who has paid and who hasn’t.

Everyone gets the same welcome, the same seat and the same chance to enjoy the festival.

The festival is also designed for real family life. Some children will love sitting down to hear from an author. Others need stories to be more active, playful and hands-on. That is why the programme includes author talks, interactive shows, quizzes, singing, drawing, storytelling, workshops, crafts, a competition, a play area and space to dip in and out.

Book festivals and literary events near Stroud this autumn

If you are looking for book festivals, children’s literature events or family-friendly literary activities near Stroud this autumn, there is a lot happening within reach.

1. Brimscombe Mill Kids Book Fest

Brimscombe Mill Kids Book Fest takes place from 8–10 October at Brimscombe Mill, near Stroud. It is a low-cost, family-friendly children’s book festival with national and local authors, workshops, storytelling, quizzes, book signings, creative activities and free “on us” tickets available.

2. Cheltenham Literature Festival

Cheltenham Literature Festival is one of the major literature festivals in the region, with a wide programme of author talks, events, schools activity and reading-focused work. It takes place in October and brings a huge range of writers and readers to Gloucestershire.

3. Bath Children’s Literature Festival

Bath Children’s Literature Festival is one of the UK’s best-known children’s book festivals, bringing major children’s authors and illustrators to Bath each autumn. It is a brilliant option for families who want a large city-based children’s literature festival.

4. Bristol’s Storytale Festival

Bristol’s Storytale Festival is a children’s literature festival celebrating stories, imagination and family creativity. It takes place in Bristol later in October and is another strong option for families looking for children’s book events in the South West.

5. Stroud Book Festival

Stroud Book Festival takes place in November and is a well-established local literary festival with author events, schools activity and a broad programme for readers in and around Stroud.

A strong year for reading near Stroud

The Stroud area already has a rich reading culture, from independent bookshops and libraries to schools, authors, community events and reading charities.

Read for Good, the national reading-for-pleasure charity, is based nearby in Nailsworth and works to help children and young people discover the life-changing power of books and stories.

Brimscombe Mill Kids Book Fest is just a small part of a bigger local and national movement to make reading feel more visible, joyful and accessible.

Looking for a low-cost family book festival near Stroud?

If you are a parent, carer, school or community group looking for a low-cost children’s book festival near Stroud, Brimscombe Mill Kids Book Fest has been created with you in mind.

Come for national authors, discover pay as you can food, play, creative activities, book signings, workshops, the festival competition and everything else the Mill has to offer.

Whether your child is a confident reader, a reluctant reader, a drawer, a maker, a singer, a question-asker or a story-lover-in-the-making, there will be something for them.

Tickets are live now.

Book your £4.50 ticket, or choose a free “on us” ticket if your family needs one.