Poet Lucy Beckley will be leading poetry workshops in local schools.

9am-3pm
Various local schools
Sponsored by the King Charles III Fund

Join the friendly Causley Trust team at our poetry bookshop located in one of the oldest buildings in Launceston. We are here to help with your Festival planning, answer questions about Charles Causley, and welcome you to our Poetry Pharmacy and the wonderful world of poetry. The shop is open every day of the Festival so stop by and browse some Festival merchandise and maybe buy a book or two.

10am-4pm
Merchant House

During the festival weekend artist and writer Peter Ursem will show a selection drawings, prints, and paintings in the Causley bookshop. Peter works in a modern Romantic tradition. His landscape work originates from observation and, as in poetry, ‘heart’ is a crucial station on the journey from eye to hand.

10am-4pm
Merchant House

Poet Lucy Beckley will be leading poetry workshops in local schools.

9am-3pm
Various local schools
Sponsored by the King Charles III Fund

Join the friendly Causley Trust team at our poetry bookshop located in one of the oldest buildings in Launceston. We are here to help with your Festival planning, answer questions about Charles Causley, and welcome you to our Poetry Pharmacy and the wonderful world of poetry. The shop is open every day of the Festival so stop by and browse some Festival merchandise and maybe buy a book or two.

10am-4pm
Merchant House

During the festival weekend artist and writer Peter Ursem will show a selection drawings, prints, and paintings in the Causley bookshop. Peter works in a modern Romantic tradition. His landscape work originates from observation and, as in poetry, ‘heart’ is a crucial station on the journey from eye to hand.

10am-4pm
Merchant House

Black Cat Books is a charming independently-run bookshop in Launceston. At their stand, you’ll be able to buy books by our festival poets and more!

5.30pm
Town Hall

At the Causley Merch Stand we will offer a range of Causley Trust merchandising. Stop by and see what we have in stock!

5.30pm
Town Hall

Come and get your poetry prescription! The Poetry Pharmacy started in Shropshire and has outlets on Oxford Street, London, and on Coney Street in York. Join us for some bibliotherapy and take away poetry prescriptions for yourself and your friends!

10am-4pm
Merchant House
🎁 Donations Welcome!

If you’re looking for a quiet and very special place to connect with local people who love to read, join us at Cyprus Well.

2-4pm
Cyprus Well
🎁 Donations Welcome!

6pm
Town Hall

Join special guests including the town’s Mayor and Town Crier, the Lord Lieutenant, the local MP, and Causley Trust Patrons and poets Rowan Williams and Ella Frears, as they officially open the Launceston Poetry Festival. See for the first time, the tapestry commission inspired by Charles Causley’s life and work by Krowji based artist, Olga Owczarek

6-6.45pm
Town Hall

Join us as we showcase textile artist Olga Owczarek’s tapestry inspired by Charles Causley’s life and work!

6.20pm
Town Hall – Guildhall

Join Ella Frears and Rowan Williams as they present the prizes for the 2026 Young Persons and International Poetry Competitions. Hear the winning poems alongside readings by our Spring Residency poets and writers selected for our ‘Festival’ submissions call on the Causley Trust’s literary blog The Maker.

6.45-8pm
Town Hall

This event has been generously sponsored by Gerard and Jean Nuttall

10am
Outside Merchant House

Join Festival Patron Ella Frears in welcoming local poetry groups, poets in residence and The Maker featured writers as they read their work on the main stage.

10am-11am
Town Hall – Guildhall
🎁 Donations Welcome!

Head to the Castle Grounds for musical performances by The Park Sing and Sign Choir, the Town Band, Popchoir, and the Launceston Youth Theatre Music Group.

10am-2pm
Castle Grounds
🎁 Donations Welcome!

Join the friendly Causley Trust team at our poetry bookshop located in one of the oldest buildings in Launceston. We are here to help with your Festival planning, answer questions about Charles Causley, and welcome you to our Poetry Pharmacy and the wonderful world of poetry. The shop is open every day of the Festival so stop by and browse some Festival merchandise and maybe buy a book or two.

10am-4pm
Merchant House

During the festival weekend artist and writer Peter Ursem will show a selection drawings, prints, and paintings in the Causley bookshop. Peter works in a modern Romantic tradition. His landscape work originates from observation and, as in poetry, ‘heart’ is a crucial station on the journey from eye to hand.

10am-4pm
Merchant House

Come and get your poetry prescription! The Poetry Pharmacy started in Shropshire and has outlets on Oxford Street, London, and on Coney Street in York. Join us for some bibliotherapy and take away poetry prescriptions for yourself and your friends!

10am-4pm
Merchant House
🎁 Donations Welcome!

At the Causley Merch Stand we will offer a range of Causley Trust merchandising. Stop by and see what we have in stock!

10am – all evening!
Town Hall

Black Cat Books is a charming independently-run bookshop in Launceston. At their stand, you’ll be able to buy books by our festival poets and more!

10am – all evening!
Town Hall

Join Alex George, Tom Nutting, and other Festival poets as they create personalised, spur of the moment poetry for you. For a small donation they will create a unique present for someone special or why not just treat yourself!

10am-4pm
Merchant House and Town Hall
🎁 Donations Welcome!

Join children’s book author Jane Newberry for a poetry workshop designed especially for young children. Experience a world of colourful and imaginative stories with this well-known local writer and storyteller.

10.15-11am
Library
🎁 Donations Welcome!

Join Ian Boyd-Livingston as he uses soil to explore stories and creativity in the long-time home of Charles Causley.

11am-3pm
Cyprus Well
🎁 Donations Welcome!

Enjoy a tour of Charles Causley’s long-time home, Cyprus Well. See the study where he wrote much of his poetry, his first typewriter and the piano where he practised. The house feels as if Charles Causley has stepped out for a pint at The Bell Inn and is a hub for writing residencies and cultural stays.

11am-4pm
Cyprus Well
🎁 Donations Welcome!

Try your hand at tapestry weaving with textile artist Olga Owczarek.

11am-5pm
Town Hall
🎁 Donations Welcome!

Try your hand at poetry and letterpress writing with Becca Drake.

1-4pm
Town Hall
🎁 Donations Welcome!

Join the friendly Causley Trust team at our poetry bookshop located in one of the oldest buildings in Launceston. We are here to help with your Festival planning, answer questions about Charles Causley, and welcome you to our Poetry Pharmacy and the wonderful world of poetry. The shop is open every day of the Festival so stop by and browse some Festival merchandise and maybe buy a book or two.

10am-4pm
Merchant House

During the festival weekend artist and writer Peter Ursem will show a selection drawings, prints, and paintings in the Causley bookshop. Peter works in a modern Romantic tradition. His landscape work originates from observation and, as in poetry, ‘heart’ is a crucial station on the journey from eye to hand.

10am-4pm
Merchant House

Come and get your poetry prescription! The Poetry Pharmacy started in Shropshire and has outlets on Oxford Street, London, and on Coney Street in York. Join us for some bibliotherapy and take away poetry prescriptions for yourself and your friends!

10am-4pm
Merchant House
🎁 Donations Welcome!

If you’re looking for inspiration and would like the chance to write in Charles Causley’s home, book a space for this special opportunity.

11am-1pm
Cyprus Well
🎁 Donations Welcome!

Remembering Charles Causley – join the congregation at St Thomas’s Church as Rowan Williams shares the sermon in the church where Charles was christened and buried. The service is to be followed by a short commemoration at Charles’s grave.

11.15am-1pm
St Thomas’s Church