Welcome to the Appledore Book Festival.

Our 2020 Drive-In Festival has now ended.  As the UK’s first-ever drive-in book festival it succeeded against all the odds by creating social bubbles and a Covid-safe environment for its festival goers. In return, the Festival has been rewarded with six days of fabulous author events, tooting horns, flashing headlights, and (almost!) wall-to-wall sunshine!

Each day hundreds of book-lovers, in their cars, attended our Drive-In Book Festival, held at Skern Lodge, Appledore. As they watched and listened from the comfort of their own car, or from their picnic-chair within their designated socially distanced car space, pre-ordered delicious meals, snacks and refreshments, prepared by the Skern Lodge catering team, were served direct to the cars. 

A special launch evening took place on Thursday 17th September featuring celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott and live music from Gypfunk. The Festival then began in earnest the following morning with some 24 talks and events from acclaimed authors, presenters, actors, gardeners, historians, broadcasters, experts, and comedians. Each event had a ten minute Q&A at the end before the audience showed its appreciation by flashing their headlights and tooting their horns.

Upon exiting each event, signed books were available to purchase by contactless payment from the drive-through book stall.