Adventure Writing Workshop

Write your own adventure. Suspense, settings, plot and character will be covered in a masterclass with Josh Lacey. Pencils and paper provided. Places limited.


Duration 60 mins.


9+ years

Julia Donaldson

With singing and performance, Julia’s exuberant show brings to life characters from The Highway Rat, The Singing Mermaid and, of course, The Gruffalo.

Duration 60 mins.

3+ years

Kevin Crossley-Holland

Viking Sagas & Arthurian Legends

Kevin Crossley-Holland shares the excitement of our favourite heroic tales. His acclaimed Arthur trilogy began with The Seeing Stone. Now he takes on the Vikings with Bracelet of Bones and Scramasax. Chaired by Peter Florence.

Duration 60 mins.

10+ years

Princess Evie And Her Magical Pony Pals

Join Princess Evie and her lovable pony pals as they whisk her off to faraway magical lands in every story.

Duration 45 mins.

4+ years

Korky Paul

Winnie’s Dinosaur Day

 Winnie The Witch gets involved in a prehistoric adventure with a rather surprised Triceratops, brought to life with Korky Paul’s high-energy live drawing.

Duration 45 mins.

5+ years

Jon Klassen

This Is Not My Hat

The creator of the indubitably hip New York Times #1 bestseller I Want My Hat Back is here on tour to share his latest, This Is Not My Hat. Hat-wearers especially welcome.

Duration 45 mins.

4+ years

Thinking Mathematically

Exploring, questioning, visualising, conjecturing, explaining, generalising, justifying…are all at the heart of mathematical thinking. Come and take part in some stimulating activities designed to develop your capacity to work as a mathematician, with Cambridge University’s Charlie Gilderdale.

Duration 60 mins.

FREE BUT TICKETED

9+ years

See also event HF18

In association with Cambridge University

Gillian Cross

After Tomorrow

The Carnegie Medal-winning author talks to Camilla Knox Peebles about After Tomorrow, a thrilling adventure which explores what it would be like if children had to flee the UK as refugees.

Duration 45 mins.

10+ years

The Horror Panel

Chris Priestley and Jon Mayhew join newcomer Emerald Fennell to discuss why ghost stories and horror are so appealing. Chills, thrills, no frills. Bring your most horrifying questions.

Duration 60 mins.

11+ years

Chris Judge

The Brave Beast

The star of the award-winning The Lonely Beast is back and on a mission to restore peace to an island threatened by a scary monster.

Duration 45 mins.

4+ years

Simon Mayo

One of Britain’s best-loved BBC radio presenters returns with his second children’s book Itch Rocks. With elements as his gadgets, Itch has to use all his wits to escape unscrupulous enemies.

Duration 45 mins.

10+ years

Josh Lacey

The Dragonsitter

Josh Lacey packs a huge amount of fun and adventure into his stories, including the latest – The Dragonsitter Takes Off.

Duration 45 mins.

6+ years

Jo Schofield and Fiona Danks

Wild Weather

 Wild ideas for things to do outdoors on wet, windy and snowy days, including painting with wet mud and making a fire in the rain.

Duration 60 mins.

7+ years

Sophie McKenzie Talks Thrillers

The author of the bestselling Missing trilogy and winner of the Red House Children’s Book Award for Hit Squad shares her top tips on thriller writing and tells us what’s coming next.

Duration 45 mins.

11+ years

Charlie Gilderdale

Thinking Mathematically

Exploring, questioning, working systematically, visualising, conjecturing, explaining, generalising, justifying, proving…all are at the heart of mathematical thinking. Come and take part in some stimulating activities designed to develop your capacity to work as a mathematician. Parents and teachers welcome too! See also events HF7 and HF18.

9+ years

FREE BUT TICKETED

In association with Cambridge University

The Etherington Brothers

The high-energy duo are back to share their comic book genius. Discover all the secrets you need to create your own adventures in words and pictures.

Duration 60 mins.

9+ years

Jonny Duddle

The King of Space

The Pirates Next Door creator is back with a new bestseller in which Rex plots to be the King of Space. Luckily, when he goes too far with his dung-blasters, Mum is nearby…

Duration 45 mins.

5+ years

Clara Vulliamy

Bubble & Squeak

Our wonderful festival illustrator Clara introduces two unlikely companions who find friendship and fun together.

Duration 45 mins.

4+ years 

See also event HF25

Thinking Mathematically

Exploring, questioning, visualising, conjecturing, explaining, generalising, justifying…are all at the heart of mathematical thinking. Come and take part in some stimulating activities designed to develop your capacity to work as a mathematician, with Cambridge University’s Charlie Gilderdale.

Duration 60 mins. 


FREE BUT TICKETED


9+ years

See also event HF7

Kitchen Academy Workshop 1

Join us in making Mini Spanish Omelettes, Welsh Sushi, Giant Chocolate Waffles, Sicilian Chicken and No Bake Cheesecakes. The menu will be rotated between sessions on a daily basis.

5–8 years – children must be accompanied