In an age of Generative AI and relentless digital news, artist and reporter George Butler offers a powerful alternative: slowing down to truly see. This visually rich, thought-provoking talk challenges audiences to look beyond headlines and photography, and to view the world through an artist’s eyes: with empathy, compassion, and creativity.

Dorset authors Tess Burnett and Elizabeth Cooke discuss their writing journey including as mature writers. Both authors write crime, mystery, and historical fiction.

Enjoy a meandering walk in and at the southern edges of Marnhull that is Marlott in Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles. Marlott was where Tess grew up; the home that she left four times, and to which she returned on three.

Come and meet a group of local writers in a showcase of their work facilitated by Don Nordberg.

Enjoy a meandering walk in and at the southern edges of Marnhull that is Marlott in Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles. Marlott was where Tess grew up; the home that she left four times, and to which she returned on three.

In the spirit of previous volumes, Damien Lewis reveals the untold stories of the war’s most daring and audacious escapes as executed by the world’s most famous fighting force, the SAS.

Best-selling true crime author Mark Bridgeman discusses his research into an unsolved murder on Jersey.

Faith will talk about her humorous, Dorset-based crime cosy novels, The Body on the Roundabout and Death by Canape, which were inspired by her career as a news reporter in the county. She’ll explain why, after accidentally leaving journalism for PR, she missed her old newsroom so much, she created one of her own, the stories behind her characters and locations, and why she didn’t initially want to include a crime in her novel!

Best-selling true crime author Mark Bridgeman will be returning to the festival this year with another infamous real-life Dorset murder trial – in which YOU the audience will become the jury.

This show by Dr Mark Baldwin is one of the Second World War’s most fascinating stories is that of the Allied Codebreakers, who deciphered a vast number of German secret messages and used the intelligence so gained to hasten Allied victory. The Germans had entrusted their secret communications to an ingenious ciphering machine the Enigma, which was portable, easily operated, and could be set up in millions of ways.

If you love animals, then you are going to love this show. A show dedicated to and celebrating all creatures great and small. The only show around that you get to see your favourite animals bursting out onto the stage right before your very eyes. The original animal show with NO LIVE ANIMALS.

If you love animals, then you are going to love this show. A show dedicated to and celebrating all creatures great and small. The only show around that you get to see your favourite animals bursting out onto the stage right before your very eyes. The original animal show with NO LIVE ANIMALS.

From Seal to Frankie Goes to Hollywood, from ABC to Yes, from Grace Jones to Belle and Sebastian, and from Robbie Williams to Pet Shop Boys, one man has been at the heart of some of Britain’s most important pop music of the past 50 years: Trevor Horn. Following the publication of his best-selling memoir, Adventures In Modern Recording: From ABC to ZTT, Horn is visiting a select handful of theatres to talk about his exploits as a bona fide legend of pop.

Mark Smith, renowned for his expertise in medals and militaria, has been a celebrated figure on BBC TV’s Antiques Roadshow since 2014. Recognized as one of the show’s most popular experts, Mark captivates audiences with his deep knowledge and engaging storytelling.

John Lydon is a legend and an icon, a revolutionary and an immortal. John Lydon – aka Johnny Rotten – changed the face of music and sparked a cultural revolution. The frontman and lyricist of the Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd (PiL) caused a political earthquake and transformed music for good. To coincide with the publication of his new book, the brilliant, career-defining Archive, he is touring the UK.