This year we are pleased to be presenting the readings in the beautiful setting of St Oswald's Church, and it seems fitting to present such a diverse programme of contemporary poetry so close to the final resting place of William Wordsworth.
Last year, Simon Armitage reduced a packed house to hysterical laughter with his short pieces about his iPod, Adam Foulds gave us pause for thought with his long poem about the Mau-Mau uprisings, and Patience Agbabi read her agony aunt's advice to a roll call of great poets.These are just a few of the many memorable moments in last year's poetry series.
This year we have another tremendous programme for you. We are delighted to welcome back some old friends, and to greet some poets coming to Grasmere for the first time. Our programme has a distinctly international flavour. We are proud to present a few of the world's finest poets on rare visits to the UK, alongside others at the start of their careers, and some who just deserve to be more widely known.
Whether you are a regular at our readings or are coming to a poetry reading for the first time, we are sure you will find plenty to interest you.
We look forward to seeing you. Michael McGregor, Director of The Wordsworth Trust
All bookings for poetry readings and the supper afterwards must be made through the Wordsworth Trust. Preferential rates at Dale Lodge Hotel are available for any patrons of the poetry evenings and suppers who wish to stay overnight.
21 April:
Tomas Venclova & Ellen Hinsey5 May:
C.K. Stead & Katharine Kilaleav19 May:
Polly Clark & Colette Bryce2 June:
Carol Ann Duffy16 June:
Fred D'Aguiar & Kei Miller30 June:
George Szirtes & Jen Hadfield14 July:
Simon Armitage28 July:
Ruth Padel & Tom Pow11 August:
Michael Symmons Roberts & Peter Bennett25 August:
Josephine Dickinson & Jeremy Over8 September:
Imtiaz Dharker & Emma Jones22 September:
Don Paterson & Kate Rhodes6 October:
Hugo Williams & Joanne LimburgAll readings take place at St Oswald's Church, Grasmere, 6.45pm.
Each reading is followed by supper at 8.45pm at the Dale Lodge Hotel, Grasmere with the poet(s) in attendance. Please book the supper through the Wordsworth Trust when booking the reading. The supper is a set meal. Please let us know if you would like the vegetarian option.
Readings: £6.00 in advance (please note that payment must also be made in advance); £7.00 on night.
Meal: £16.00 per head; £18.95 with a glass of wine.
Season Ticket: All 13 readings for £65.00. A season ticket with meals costs £311 with wine, or £273 without wine.
Please note that we reserve the right to alter the programme.
To make a booking, or for further information, please complete our contact form.
