Book lovers, families and young readers are in for a treat this summer as The Festival of Brilliant returns to Biddulph, bringing a packed programme of stories, creativity and imagination to the heart of the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Organised by arts programme OUTSIDE, Staffordshire Moorlands Librarians as well as a unique collaboration between children and young people, teachers, artists and authors from across the district who all share a passion for reading. Together, they have helped shape an exciting celebration designed to inspire a love of books and storytelling in people of all ages.
Set against the historic backdrop of Biddulph Old Hall , the festival will offer opportunities to meet authors, take part in creative activities and discover new stories in a welcoming outdoor setting. Whether you’re an avid reader or simply looking for a fun family day out, there’s something for everyone.
Keep on reading to find out more about the festival which takes place at Biddulph Old Hall this July.
Highlights include former Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho OBE bringing poetry, rhythm and performance to life, alongside appearances from Jenny McLachlan, Chris Haughton, E.L. Norry, Kieran Larwood and David Gibb, with sessions spanning storytelling, music, illustration and interactive participation.
Younger audiences can enjoy early years storytelling with Sian Radford, creator of the popular Moon & Rue TikTok channel with over one million followers, and Reading Fairy, sensory storytelling with the New Vic Theatre, and creative workshops with Bethan Woollvin, Marc Jackson, Matt Buckingham, Alex Foulkes and Chie Kutsuwada.
Across the site, families can also explore immersive experiences including Footy Fairy Tales (Yarnbird Arts), Zig Zag!, Noisy Noise Noise (Working Boys Club), BOOKBOOSTER FACTORY (Cat and Mouse Theatre), The Magic Lantern, drop-in poetry sessions with Gabriella Gay and the Biddulph Old Hall History Walk.
The festival’s dedicated teen event returns this year as Verse & Vibes, a spoken word and creative workshop evening for young people aged 14–18, taking place on Friday, 10th July from 6pm at Biddulph Old Hall.
Led by former Poet Laureate and Commonwealth Boxing Champion Matt Windle, the session offers a relaxed and welcoming space for young people to explore spoken word, rhythm and storytelling through words.
Designed as an informal, creative environment, the workshop encourages participants to experiment, make mistakes and find their voice, with snacks, drinks and space to meet others in a supportive setting at the festival.
Alongside the main programme, visitors can enjoy food and drink stalls, a curated makers’ offer and family-friendly spaces throughout the grounds of Biddulph Old Hall.
A free “Book Bus” shuttle service will run between Biddulph town centre and the festival site, supporting easy access for local communities.
The festival will also extend throughout July with Summer in the Libraries activities across Staffordshire Moorlands libraries, encouraging families to continue reading through themed events and participation in the Summer Reading Challenge.
The Festival of Brilliant is supported by OUTSIDE, Staffordshire County Council, Staffordshire Libraries, Support Staffordshire, The Island of Brilliant, The Reading Agency, BookTrust, The National Year of Reading, Staffordshire Virtual School, Staffordshire Moorland Family Hub, The Community Foundation, Your Housing, We Love the Moorlands, Stoke on Trent Lions Club, New Vic Education, Panda Press, PH Production Services, Biddulph Town Council, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Arts Council England.
Who’s it for?
Everyone, but particularly children in the Staffordshire Moorlands. They’ll be working with a range of brilliant local groups including the women’s refuge, housing association, community zone and SEND parent’s group to make the festival as inclusive and accessible as possible.
How much are the tickets?
£10 supporter, £7.50 standard, £5 subsidised, under 3s free, car park pass £5
Free local festival shuttle bus service will be in operation
Note: By booking tickets, you consent to photography/filming from the event by OUTSIDE to promote the programme and its projects, events and activities.
When is the event and how do I book it?
Friday 10th July 2026, 9.30am-2.30pm
For schools and community groups
Free
Visit festivalofbrilliant.org for Friday programme
Friday 10th July 2026, 6pm-8.30pm
Verse & Vibes Teen Event
For ages 14–18
Free
An evening spoken word workshop and creative session led by Matt Windle at Biddulph Old Hall
Book tickets at outsidearts.org
Saturday 11th July 2026, 10am-6.00pm
For children of all ages and their families
£12 supporter, £8 standard, £5 subsidised, under 3s free, car park pass £5
Free local festival shuttle bus service will be in operation
Visit festivalofbrilliant.org for Saturday programme and to book tickets
Where is Biddulph Old Hall ?
Biddulph Old Hall is a brilliant venue. It has a magical, exploratory, fairy tale feel, offering the perfect backdrop for children to feed their imagination.
Biddulph Old Hall
Biddulph
Stoke-on-Trent
ST8 7SQ
Photography & filming
You are welcome to take photographs and videos of the festival site and programme for personal use.
Photography and videography by OUTSIDE will be taking place during the event. By booking tickets, ticket holders consent to being photographed/filmed to promote OUTSIDE and its projects.
Important Note:
- Dogs – No dogs other than assistance dogs will be permitted on site for the festival.
- The site is fairly small with short distances between the festival venues on site. These will consist of a large and small marquee area, some smaller tent areas, an indoor hall area and area for both food and drink and non-food stalls and vendors.
- Tickets may be available on the door subject to availability. It is recommended to pre-book your tickets in advance.
- School coaches/minibuses will be able to drop off and collect from the Talbot Pub car park on Grange Road. Classes will then be able to walk via an off road footpath to the venue, marked on image below with a green line. Please schedule drop off for 9.30am and collection at 2.30pm. To allow sufficient time for everyone to walk to/from the drop off point to the venue, programming will run from 10am-2.15pm.
- Parking will be available at Biddulph Old Hall at £5 per car – book your parking ticket here. We’ll also be operating a FREE shuttle bus service from Biddulph town centre – book your bus ticket here.
- School coaches / minibuses are available on friday and will be able to drop off and collect from the Talbot Pub car park on Grange Road. Classes will then be able to walk via an off road footpath to the venue, marked on image below with a green line.
- Parking is available at Biddulph Old Hall at a cost of £5 per car. Please car share where possible. Tickets to be purchased along with festival tickets or can be purchased separately at a later date via the ticket link. Main entrance track to Biddulph Old Hall is on Overton Road and will be clearly signposted.
- Free Bus – A free local festival bus service will be in operation in the surrounding area on Saturday. Hollinshead Coaches will be starting the route outside Biddulph Youth & Community Zone, then Staffordshire Moorlands Family Hub, followed by Sainsbury’s / Biddulph Town Hall, The Rose & Crown, Biddulph Moor and finally arriving at Biddulph Old Hall. This will be a round-trip, then going from Biddulph Old Hall, to Biddulph Moor, The Rose & Crown, etc. The first coach will depart at 9:30am from Biddulph Youth & Community Zone, and these round-trips will begin every 45 minutes (there will be a break with no services between 1-2pm). The last bus to Biddulph Old Hall will be at 4pm and the last bus leaving Biddulph Old Hall will be at 6pm.
- Wheelchair access – Limited in some areas of the house and garden. Yes, but limited in some areas of the house and garden. See the Access Video which will be updated for 2025 based on site layout.
- BSL interpretation will be available for a selection of the programme. Please contact the organisers directly for more information
- Quiet Space Yes, there will be a quiet tent for time out
- Disable toilet – There will be a portable disabled access toilet on site at the venue. Additionally there will be a changing places unit available.
- Pushchairs – Event is accessible for buggies / pushchairs
- Food & Drinks There will be food and drink vendors on site during the festival on Saturday. No alcohol is permitted.
About OUTSIDE
OUTSIDE is a Creative People and Places project, supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. A participatory arts programme, OUTSIDE is led by local residents in the Staffordshire Moorlands working with professional artists. Together, they co-curate ambitious, inspiring and inclusive arts and cultural activities and events celebrating life in the rural landscapes, villages and market towns of the Moorlands. For more information, visit outsidearts.org
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Photo Credit: OUTSIDE/Andrew Billington
