24 MAR

A children’s programme to spark the imagination

Books in the Park is delighted to present an acclaimed group of authors whose books and events will spark the imagination of children of all ages.

Mariesa Dulak’s storytime for the 3- 5s will feature her wonderful picture book Tiger on the Train and come complete with fun and imaginative activities. Kids can hop on board for an extraordinary journey down to the sea!

For 6–9-year-olds, Allison Parkinson will use her historical fantasy series Laurella Swift as the jumping off point for a lively story crafting session using everyday items designed to encourage children to create their own adventure stories.

Joséphine Seblon and Robert Sae-Heng, author and illustrator of Mini Architects, will introduce the fascinating world of architecture to 6–9-year-olds, in a creative event inspired by iconic architecture from around the world.

Nine- to 12-year-olds are invited to join Jack Meggitt-Phillips for The Villain’s Showdown! an interactive hour-long event, including puppetry, a Q&A, and readings from the internationally bestselling The Beast and the Bethany series.

And for 12 years+ lovers of romance, Abiola Bello, YA author of The Love Dare will be sharing tips on writing scenes that will make readers swoon, relatable characters to fall in love with and building edge-of-your-seat tension.

All children’s events, will take place in the Downstairs Classroom of The Homestead Education Centre, apart from Abiola’s, that will take place in the Mansion.

There is no entry fee and no booking fee on e-tickets. And don’t forget, ticket holders will enjoy a 10% discount on food and drink at the Homestead Cafe and the Mansion Bar and Cafe on production of an event ticket.

17 MAR

Get writing!

This week we’re shining a spotlight on our adult workshop programme. Writers, poets and flash fiction fans… we’ve got something for you!

This year we’ve got three 90-minute adult workshop lead by acclaimed writers Annie Lyons, Anita Goveas and Helen Bowell.

Join author Annie Lyons for a fun-filled writing workshop. Whether you long to discover if you really do have that novel in you or just want to put pen to paper and see where it takes you, Annie will guide you through a combination of individual and group exercises to get your brain buzzing.

Flash fiction is usually described as a story that’s complete in under 1000 words, and can often be even shorter. Make every word count in our flash fiction writing workshop with short story writer Anita Goveas.

On Friday this week, it’s World Poetry Day and what better moment to highlight our poetry workshop with Helen Bowell. Open to writers of all levels, you’ll take inspiration from critically acclaimed poets and the beautiful surroundings of Beckenham Place Park. Whether you’ve always felt connected to the natural world, or like Raymond Antrobus, you ‘don’t know the name of that tree’, discover your inner poet, with Helen.

10 MAR

All literary tastes catered for at this year’s festival

Whatever your taste in books – crime, memoir, fiction, non-fiction, food or history – this year’s BOOKS IN THE PARK will serve up a mouth-watering mix of award-winning flavours for adults on Saturday 26 April at Beckenham Place Park.

A packed adult programme will begin at 11am in the Mansion, with Sunday Times bestseller Chloe Dalton in conversation with podcaster Ryan Dalton, about her memoir Raising Hare, recently longlisted for the Women’s Prize for non-fiction and the British Book Awards. When lockdown led Chloe Dalton to leave London for the countryside of her childhood, she never expected to find herself custodian of a newly born hare.

Another author on this year’s British Book Awards shortlist is Kaliane Bradley, for her hilarious, sexy, time-travelling romcom, The Ministry of Time. Kaliane will explore what it means for Britain to reckon with its past, with her host Uli Lenart, via her smash-hit novel, one of the most talked about debuts of 2024.

This year's festival will also be turning the spotlight on local talent, as South London authors Louise Hare, Annie Lyons and Amelia Kyazze join writer and journalist Kerry Barrett to discuss writing historical fiction, from the secrets of 1930s Harlem to female friendships during World War II and a story of London through three generations.

Writer and Woodland Trust ambassador Jules Acton will celebrate the history of the oak tree and discuss her latest book Oaklore. A journey of discovery, Oaklore encourages a deeper connection to nature and our own woodland explorations.

British Book Award winner and ‘Queen of Tricksy Crime’ Janice Hallett will talk about her latest whodunnit The Examiner, with crime writer Joy Kluver. Told in emails, text messages, and essays, this innovative pause-resister follows a group of students in an art master’s program that goes dangerously awry.

And to round out the day, and literally tickle your tastebuds, cheesemonger Ned Palmer will guide you through the very best French cheeses as described in his new book, The Cheesemonger’s Tour de France in a very special evening of cheese tasting.

Three of the award-winning and shortlisted authors and their books appearing at this year's festival.

03 MAR

Books in the Park returns to Beckenham Place Park

BOOKS IN THE PARK literature festival returns to Beckenham Place Park, southeast London on Saturday 26th April.

After the success of its first festival in 2024, Books in the Park has grown its programme, promising a packed day of author talks for adults and children, guided walks and writing workshops.

Adult events will take place in the Mansion, a Grade II listed building at the heart of the park, and children’s events will be held in the Homestead Education Centre, part of the park’s lovingly restored Homestead stables and courtyard.

Authors appearing at the festival include Sunday Times bestseller Chloe Dalton, recently longlisted for the Women’s Prize for non-fiction, who will discuss her memoir Raising Hare ; Kaliane Bradley, whose smash-hit novel The Ministry of Time was one of the most-talked about debuts of 2024; British Book Award winner and ‘Queen of Tricksy Crime’ Janice Hallett will talk about her latest whodunnit The Examiner; writer and Woodland Trust ambassador Jules Acton will celebrate the history of the oak tree and discuss her latest book Oaklore; and cheesemonger Ned Palmer will host a French cheese-tasting for his book The Cheesemonger’s Tour de France. South London authors Louise Hare, Annie Lyons and Amelia Kyazze complete the adult programme for a panel spotlighting local talent, where they’ll discuss writing historical fiction.

Children’s events include a storytime session for 0-5 years with Mariesa Dulak, author of There’s a Tiger on the Train; writer and illustrator Allison Parkinson will run a fun and interactive storycrafting workshop for children aged 6-9; Joséphine Seblon and Robert Sae-Hung will take young readers on a Mini Architects journey of mythical labyrinths and ancient buildings; international bestseller Jack Meggitt-Phillips will deliver an interactive event with puppetry for the latest book in his series The Beast and the Bethany; and award-winning YA fantasy author Abiola Bello will share writing tips in a special Young Adult Writing Workshop for ages 12+.

For aspiring writers, the festival also offers poetry, flash fiction and fiction writing workshops for adults, led by writers Helen Bowell, Anita Goveas and Annie Lyons.

Local independent Beckenham Bookshop is the festival’s bookseller and will run a pop-up bookshop in the Mansion throughout the day. Other activities confirmed include a food and farmers market, a sewing school, nature walks led by Wild South London and more.

Festival director Frances Fuller said: "We are thrilled to be hosting our second literature festival following on from the amazing success of Books in the Park last year. This year’s festival promises to be bigger and better. We’re bringing together an incredible lineup that should inspire readers and aspiring writers of all ages, set in the beautiful surroundings of Beckenham Place Park.

"Whether you’re a keen book lover, are just discovering the magic of storytelling or want a fun day out with the family, we invite you to join us for a day of creativity, discovery and community."

Tickets go on sale Monday 3rd March and can be purchased through the festival website www.booksinthepark.org and Ticket Source www.ticketsource.co.uk/books-in-the-park.

Media centre: Download the full festival press release, poster and other publicity assets here.