All events are free to attend
Thursday 18 June
6pm – 7pm
From Victorian Library to Tibetan Buddhist Centre: A Historical Journey
📍Kagyu Samye Dzong London, Spa Road SE16 3SA
Discover the hidden history of Spa Road’s most iconic building. Join us inside the former Bermondsey Library for an insightful talk by local historian Pat Kingwell and the Centre’s staff, tracing its evolution from a 19th-century hub of Victorian knowledge to a modern sanctuary for meditation.
All welcome
Find out more l Reserve a spot
6:30pm – 8pm
Creative Writing Workshop for Youth with Dr. Sandra A. Agard
📍The Drawing Room / Tannery Arts, Bermondsey SE1 5BB
Join award-winning author Dr. Sandra A. Agard for an inspiring creative writing workshop designed to unleash young people’s imagination.
Reserve a spot
Friday 19 June
6pm – 8pm
Character Creation Workshop by Alison Clayburn
📍The Bede House, South Bermondsey SE16 2BS
Learn to develop lively characters for your stories and poems. Join poetry and fiction writer Alison Clayburn for an engaging 2-hour workshop designed to spark your imagination and bring your literary creations to life.
Reserve a spot
Saturday 20th June
11am – 12pm
Puppet and story telling workshop by Laura Sampson
📍London Bubble Theatre, 5 Elephant Ln, London SE16 4JD
Laura Sampson is an author and performer from British/Trinidaian heritage who will bring to life here books of fairy tales in Bubble Theatre to celebrate Bermondsey Literary Festival.
All ages are welcome, especially the very young and very old.
Find out more l Reserve a spot
1pm – 2pm
Book Talk: South London Speaks by Stephen P. Daly
📍Blue Anchor Library, Bermondsey SE16 3UQ
Discover the heart and humour of South London’s golden years. Join local author Stephen P. Daly as he shares a nostalgic deep-dive into the language, slang, and vibrant dialect that echoed through London’s streets, estates, and pubs from 1950 to 1980.
All welcome
Reserve a spot
2pm – 4pm
RISO Book Cover Workshop by Amanda Wayne
📍The Drawing Room / Tannery Arts, Bermondsey SE1 5BB
Design and make a custom, wrap-style cover for your favourite book. Join artist Amanda Wayne for a hands-on workshop to create your design and print a unique edition of 6 copies using our RISO machine.
Find out more l Reserve a spot
Sunday 21 June
2pm – 3pm
Bermondsey In My Soul Guided Heritage Walk by Debra Gosling
📍Meet outside The Arzner Cinema, Bermondsey Square SE1 3UN
Explore the rich history of Bermondsey Square and its surroundings. Join local author and artist Debra Gosling for an insightful guided walk revealing the stories, heritage, and hidden gems of the area.
Find out more l Reserve a spot
4pm – 5pm
Trombone Poetry Performance by Paul Taylor
📍The Lake Gallery, Southwark Park, SE16 2EY
Experience a unique solo performance interweaving live music and original poetry. Join Rotherhithe’s Paul Taylor, the inventor of trombone poetry, for an informal afternoon of world music wordplay, free verse fanfares, and blues.
Find out more l Reserve a spot
7pm – 10pm
Rap & Poetry Open Mic Mashup
📍Morocco Bound, Bermondsey, SE1 3HB
Expect performances all night from local artists from all walks of life. First time performers welcome, this is a supportive and open space.
Reserve a spot
Monday 22 June
2pm -3pm
“The Keys and the Crossroads” Talk by Dr. Patricia Dark
📍John Harvard Library, Borough High Street SE1 1JA
Discover the vital role played by Southwark’s Black community. Join Southwark Archivist Dr. Patricia Dark for an in-depth look into the history and legacy of the League of Coloured Peoples.
Reserve a spot
Tuesday 23 June
7pm – 8pm
Life as an Arts Correspondent Talk by Michael Holland
📍Appleby Blue, Bermondsey SE16 3FR
Go behind the scenes of Southwark’s vibrant culture and theatre scene. Join local correspondent Michael Holland as he shares the most memorable moments, plays, exhibitions, and interviews from his decades-long career documenting the arts since 1998.
All welcome
Reserve a spot
Thursday 25 June
7pm – 8pm
Peckham Library Book Group
📍Peckham Library, Peckham Hill Street SE15 5JR
Connect with fellow readers and dive into engaging book discussions. Join our local library book club for an informal and friendly evening of literary conversation and shared stories.
Friday 26 June
1pm – 2pm
Peckham Library Afternoon Book Group
📍Peckham Library, Peckham Hill Street SE15 5JR
Enjoy daytime literary chats and friendly book discussions with fellow avid readers.
All readers welcome
5pm – 6pm
Creative Writing Club for Adults
📍John Harvard Library, Borough High Street SE1 1JA
Spark your imagination and refine your writing skills in a supportive, creative space.
All writers welcome
5:30pm – 7pm
Black Art and Poetry Group
📍Camberwell Library, 48 Camberwell Green SE5 7AL
Explore rich cultural expressions and share original or classic poetry and artwork.
6pm – 7pm
Voices of Latin America Book Group
📍Una Marson Library, Blue Anchor Lane SE16 3UQ
Discover powerful stories, vibrant histories, and diverse contemporary Latin American literature.
All readers welcome
6pm – 7:30pm
Shades of Black Authors Book Club
📍Peckham Library, Peckham Hill Street SE15 5JR
Dive into impactful literature celebrating brilliant writing and diverse stories from Black authors.
All readers welcome
Find out more
7pm – 10pm
Wandsworth Poetry Open Mic
📍Morocco Bound Bookshop, Wandsworth SW18 1FZ
Share your voice or enjoy local talent in an intimate setting. Join us for a vibrant evening of poetry, spoken word, and stories at Bermondsey’s favourite independent bookshop.
Reserve a spot
Saturday 27 June
12pm – 1pm
Black Voices Book Club
📍Una Marson Library, Blue Anchor Lane SE16 3UQ
Engage with powerful narratives and celebrate the rich diversity of literature by Black authors.
Find out more
12pm – 3pm
Puppet and storytelling workshop by Bernadette Russell
📍Rouel Road Community Gardens, Alexis Street, London SE16 3XFU
Join local storyteller Bernadette Russell amongst the plants and flowers with Rouel Road Gardeners in their allotment for a special outdoor storytelling. This is a special session in collaboration with Bermondsey Literary Festival and Trees for Bermondsey. Afterwards, join us in the Market Place for an Armed Forces Day.
Suitable for all ages, especially the very young
Find out more l Reserve a spot
1pm – 3pm & 3.30pm – 5.30pm
Celebrating The Beatles Lyrics with Gary Magold & Pat Kingwell
📍Peek Frean Museum, Bermondsey SE16 4DG
Enjoy two fun-filled, interactive sessions exploring the iconic words and music of the Fab Four. Join hosts Gary Magold and Pat Kingwell inside the remarkable setting of the historic biscuit factory museum for a nostalgic musical journey.
- Important: Due to venue size, each session is strictly limited to 20 attendees. Please note the museum’s historic location is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchair or mobility vehicle access.
- Meet at Entrance One (Blue doorway), 100 Drummond Road, 15 minutes before the session, where you will be met and taken to the Museum.
Reserver a spot 1pm l Reserve a spot 3.30pm
Sunday 28 June
1pm – 2pm
Poetry Reading by Clare Pollard
📍Canada Water Library, 21 Surrey Quays Road SE16 7AR – Room 6
Enjoy an afternoon of exceptional contemporary poetry with a brilliant local voice. Join award-winning South London poet, novelist, and playwright Clare Pollard as she reads from her work, including her latest 2025 collection, Lives of the Female Poets.
Reserve a spot
2.15pm – 3pm
Bermondsey and Beyond Poetry Competition Awards
📍Canada Water Library, 21 Surrey Quays Road SE16 7AR
Celebrate the best of local literary talent and discover this year’s winning poems. Join us as the festival’s official poetry competition prizes are presented by Luds Van Den Belt of Big Local Works.
All welcome
Reserve your spot
Monday 29 June
1pm – 2pm
Classic Literature Book Group
📍John Harvard Library, Borough High Street SE1 1JA
Revisit timeless masterpieces and share your insights with a friendly group of book lovers.
All readers welcome
4pm – 5pm
Chatterbooks Reading Group for 7–11s
📍Canada Water Library, 21 Surrey Quays Road SE16 7AR A fun, lively book club designed to inspire a love of reading in young minds.
Join us for exciting book chats, games, and activities perfect for ages 7 to 11.
Note: booking are just for the participating kids, while adults supervise
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Walworth Library Heritage and Book Group
📍Southwark Heritage Centre and Walworth Library, 145-147 Walworth Road SE17 1RW
Explore local history alongside great literature in this unique discussion group. Join us to dive into engaging books while uncovering the rich stories and heritage of the Walworth community.
Poetry Competition
Locations and Contacts
Appleby Blue Almshouses
94-116 Southwark Park Road, London, SE16 3RD
t: 020 7671 1058
e: applebyblue@ustsc.org.uk
Bede Centre
Bede Centre, Abbeyfield Road, London, SE16 2BS
Bermondsey Square
Bermondsey Square, London, SE1 3FD.
Blue Anchor Library
Market Place, Southwark Park Road, London, SE16 3UQ
t: 020 7525 2000
e: libraries@southwark.gov.uk
Canada Water Library
21 Surrey Quays Road, London, SE16 7AR
t: 020 7525 2000
e: libraries@southwark.gov.uk
Drawing Room/Tannery Arts
Unit 1b New Tannery Way, Bermondsey, London, SE1 5WS
t: 020 4547 6200
e: mail@drawingroom.org.uk
John Harvard Library
211 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1JA
t: 020 7525 2000
e: libraries@southwark.gov.uk
London Bubble Theatre
3-5 Elephant Lane, London SE16 4JD
t: 020 7237 4434
e:admin@londonbubble.org.uk
London Tibetan Buddhist Centre (Kagyu Samye Dong)
15 Spa Rd, London SE16 3SA
t: 020 3327 1650
e:ksdlondon@samye.org
Morocco Bound Bookshop Bermondsey
1A Morocco St, SE13HB
t: 07415371654
e: booksandbeershop@icloud.com
Morocco Bound Bookshop Wandsworth
Unit 3A, Pilot’s Walk New Acres, London, SW18 1UZ
t: 07415371654
e: booksandbeershop@icloud.com
Peckham Library
122 Peckham Hill Street, London, SE15 5JR
t: 020 7525 2000
e: libraries@southwark.gov.uk
Peek Frean Museum
100 Drummond Rd, London SE16 4DG
t: 07752 311082
Southwark Heritage Centre and Walworth Library
145 Walworth Rd, London SE17 1RL
t: 020 7525 2000
e: libraries@southwark.gov.uk
Southwark Park Pavilion Café
Gomm Rd, London SE16 2TX
Una Marson Library
62 Thurlow Street, London, SE17 2GN
e: unamarson.Library@southwark.gov.uk
