Ten of the UK’s top travel writers will be sharing their adventures at Sherborne’s Travel Writing Festival this April.

Ten intrepid travel writers are taking to the stage at Sherborne’s Powell Theatre from April 14-16, to share their tales of adventure and adversity, excitement and exploration.
Organised by the Sherborne Literary Society and curated by the eminent local travel writer Rory MacLean, the festival promises to bring the world to Dorset. From Berlin to the Poles, Siberia to Madagascar, the authors will transport audiences to the wildest corners of the world, rediscovering a sense of adventure that for many has been stifled by the global events of the past few years.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to come to know these ten wonderful authors over the years,’ explains Rory. “I think the Literary Society may have realised the richness of my address book when they asked me to curate the festival,” he laughs. “It’s been inspiring to gather these fabulous, gifted friends together in one place for a change.”

Among these talented friends is Colin Thubron who, at 81, walked along the Amur River, which borders Russia and China. “Colin is the Yoda of travel writing,” says Rory. “He’s Britain’s greatest living travel writer.” That’s no small accolade, as he’s joined for the weekend by award-winning writer, journalist and broadcaster Anthony Sattin, who will be talking about his latest book Nomads: The Wanderers Who Shaped Our Earth, the Arabist Justin Marozzi and the California poet Demi Anter (who’ll talk about David Bowie alongside Rory, who worked with the pop megastar in Berlin).

Audiences will also hear from Sara Wheeler, a pioneering woman traveller in the once male-dominated field. Sara co-founded the self-titled Amazonians female travel writers group and she’ll talk about Glowing Still, her latest book in which she contemplates the value of friendship on travels that took her from Pole to Pole. Jay Griffiths – the fierce advocate of nature’s remaining wild places – will explore the wildness both within and without us, as she talks about the adventures that led to the creation of her seminal book on environmental issues, Wild.
Rory points out that literary travel writing can enable us to experience true wonders of the world without leaving the comfort of Dorset. “We’re not guide book writers; we are explorers of places, times and the human heart. Our role is to interpret the foreign, to bring it home, to enable readers understand parts of the world that they aren’t able to visit. I firmly believe that by understanding other people, we can come to understand ourselves better.”
“All ten of us are motivated by a sense that the world is a bigger and more startling place than we’re led to believe. All we have to do is step beyond the familiar to be struck by the wonder… and in some cases the horror of the world.”.
Unlike at any other festival, in Sherborne there will be the chance for weekend ticket holders to take tea with the authors.
“Our travels and writing are both solo experiences,” says Rory. “So it’s a thrill to be able to have the opportunity to share our experiences with the audience.”

This promises to be a treat for your tastebuds, with teas from around the world provided by Sturminster’s Comins Tea House. Enjoy a few hours in the fascinating company of these courageous adventurers and, perhaps, be inspired to set off on your own journey of discovery.
The ten featured authors will be on stage at various times over the weekend. For a detailed schedule and to book tickets, please visit www.sherbornetravelwritingfestival.com.