‘NiddFest is a fledgling literary showcase that marries a
love of the written word with the romantic beauty of
the Yorkshire Dales’ – Daily Mail, list of top four 2015 literary festivals.
‘Among the programme highlights at NiddFest will be
readings from the poets Carol Ann Duffy and Gillian
Clarke, as well as moorland safaris, fairy hunts, foraging
expeditions and birdwatching walks’ – The Observer magazine, ‘Take me There’.
‘It’s not just about books, but about going out into the countryside and enjoying it, of finding ways of getting away from our computer screens and back out into nature – the festival is a way of celebrating that.’ – Yorkshire Post
‘NiddFest Literary Festival’ – Country Life Magazine, ‘Britain’s Best Literary Festivals’
‘It’s no secret that a nation’s natural environment shapes its cultural identity.’ – NiddFest profiled in Waitrose Weekend feature ‘Writers Hear The Call of the Wild’
‘With up to 20 events, it is a thought-provoking
weekend packed with talks, activities and outdoor
adventures for all ages’ – The Independent ‘I’, ‘Start the Conversation’.
‘What better way to enjoy reading about nature than
with your toes stuck into the grass in the wild Yorkshire
Dales?’ – Country and Town House magazine.
‘A new festival is beginning today – but instead of another big city event, NiddFest takes place in rural Nidderdale in North Yorkshire. “NiddFest is going to become an important festival for readers and writers, focussing minds and hearts on the relationship between the human and the earth at a time when so much of the natural world is imperilled,” she [Carol Ann Duffy] told the BBC.”The festival is also joyous, allowing writers and readers to celebrate nature and literature in a particularly beautiful part of England.” – BBC Online
‘NiddFest – is this the UK’s best small festival?’ – Harrogate Advertiser
Some Testimonials From Our 2015 Audience
‘Beautiful location, excellent talks: what’s not to like?’
‘Nature writing in the spotlight. Long overdue and very important when you consider the challenges we face.’
‘Big names in a small town! Fantastic range of events. I loved it!’
‘Well organised, friendly and an excellent programme. I was disappointed that I could not attend more events.’
‘A range of engaging events in mixed settings that introduced the visitor – like me – to the delights of the upper Nidd valley. Having Mark Cocker’s talk in St Chad’s at Middlesmoor was particularly special. There was also significant support from local people though – the talk by James Rebanks as one example – giving a genuinely rooted feeling.’
‘We enjoyed every word of every event. The settings were marvellous, as were our drives over the moors to reach the events.’
‘Wonderful evening with Gillian Clarke and Carol Ann Duffy at the opening supper and readings.’
‘Enjoyed meeting authors I’ve read and being able to chat to them. The friendly atmosphere, the fact that you ran outdoor events in conjunction with author talks – which made it more authentic – people could enjoy nature as well as listen to great readings.’
‘It was in the NORTH! So much of the landscape writing events are in London – it’s really frustrating since much of what the writers want to discuss doesn’t happen in the city.’