THE SHERBORNE TRAVEL WRITING FESTIVAL
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Tickets
Where can I buy tickets?
All tickets can either be booked online through this website (via Ticketsource, click on "Tickets" above) or in person at Winstone’s bookshop (8 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 3PX)
Is there a discount for Sherborne Literary Society members?
Yes, if you join the Society (£10 for the year) or you are already a member, all individual talk tickets and weekend tickets are discounted, plus books purchased from Winstone’s are 10% off with Society membership.
What is the benefit of a Weekend Festival Ticket?
This ticket entitles you to attend all talks across the weekend at a significant discount and have free parking throughout the festival (see Parking below).
Festival programme & timings
Where can I find the full festival guide and timings?
Head to our Festival Guide webpage where you can browse all timings and author profiles, plus other information. You can also find a handy list of festival timings towards the bottom of our homepage.
What time do doors open before each talk?
They open approx. 30mins before each talk.
Location
All talks will be held in Sherborne inside the Powell Theatre, Abbey Road DT93AP.
See the parking section below for further information on where to park on arrival if you are driving. There is no parking at the festival venue except for Weekend Festival Ticket holders.
Transport and Accommodation
How do I reach the festival ?
Unless you are coming by car or live within close reach of the venue, you are advised to find accommodation within Sherborne town centre itself as public transport links are poor in the evenings and taxi services can also be difficult in the evening.
Transport
Arriving by car?
The venue address is Powell Theatre, Abbey Road DT9 3AP. See below regarding parking.
What public transport is available?
Trains
Travelling from London? Look for trains running from London Waterloo and Clapham Junction. Sherborne train station is served by SWR and the journey usually takes a little under 2.5 hours: https://www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey
Also, nearby Yeovil Junction and Yeovil Pen Mill stations are both served by SWR and by GWR: https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/travel-updates/check-your-journey but see the caution above about local transport - bus and taxi services.
Coaches
Berry's coaches run the London Superfast service from London Hammersmith bus station to the nearby towns of Yeovil and Wincanton. For timetables and route information please visit their website: http://berryscoaches.co.uk Again, make sure you can find convenient bus or taxi links into Sherborne before booking.
Buses
Of routes that pass through Sherborne, the 58 operates Monday - Saturday while the 58A, CR4 & CR5 routes operate on Fridays only. Please check bus websites for timetables and further information; First Bus for 58/58A/CR4: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/wessex-dorset-south-somerset; South West Coaches for CR5: https://www.southwestcoaches.co.uk/Bus-Timetables
https://bustimes.org is also a useful planning and bus tracking tool.
Local taxi firms
Based in Sherborne: ABC Taxis of Sherborne (07542940437); Abbey Cabs (01935389894); Hounslow’s Sherborne Taxis (01935814750); P & J Cabs (01935816877); Sherborne Cabs (01963220013); Tiger Cabs Yeovil & Sherborne (07885933005).
Based in Yeovil: Excel Taxi (07388334008); Radio Cabs (01935426666); Yeovil cabs (03300314018); Yeovil Taxis A2Z (07484098722).
Based in Henstridge: Ram Cars (07830482200).
Parking
I have a weekend ticket, am I entitled to free car parking?
Yes, you are entitled to nearby free parking for the entire weekend in "The Courts" at Sherborne School. This is through the archway into Sherborne School which is at the junction of Abbey Road and Hospital Lane. On arrival, drive into The Courts and park - then go to the venue (Abbey Rd) to pick up your Weekend Festival Ticket pass and parking permit which you should leave visible in your car. There should be a member of staff to advise you.
I have an individual talk ticket, where can I park?
Sherborne has plenty of paid parking available. Nearby car parks to the Powell Theatre include Acreman Street Car Park, Culverhayes Short Stay Car Park, Sherborne Station Car Park. You will also find parking to the north of the town, including at Old Market Car Park and Digby Hall Car Park. You may also use Sainsbury’s and Waitrose free parking, but be sure to note max length of stay and car park closing times.
Accommodation
Hotels and accommodation within short walking distance of the venue include:
The Eastbury
Newell
The Half Moon
The Plume of Feathers
The Cross Keys
The Britannia Inn
A little further out but very walkable in 10-15 minutes is The Hillbrook Hotel
There are several B&Bs and AirBnBs.
Accessibility
I am disabled or care for someone who is disabled, am I entitled to free parking?
Yes, please contact the event organiser for information – info@sherborneliterarysociety.com
Can I attend talks at the Powell Theatre if I have a wheelchair?
There is step-free access through a side door to the theatre. Please speak to a member of the festival team outside the theatre on arrival who will be happy to help.
Who can I speak to before the festival begins about my accessibility needs?
please contact the event organiser for information – info@sherborneliterarysociety.com
Is there a loop for hearing aids inside the theatre?
There is no hearing loop in the Powell Theatre
What is seating like inside the theatre?
The Powell Theatre seating is made up of three sections of seating with two stairways, left and right. There are also a small number of seats on the left side near the entrance to the theatre that don’t require using any steps. This space is also suitable for a wheelchair user or users.
Are there accessible toilets?
Yes