FAQs
What are the festival dates?
The festival begins with the Literary Quiz on Friday 22nd September followed by Supper at Ockenden Manor on Friday 6th October. The programme of events runs all day on 7th and 8th October.
Where is the Book Festival being held?
The Authors’ events will be held in the Queen’s Hall or The Talbot.
Cuckfield is easily accessible by car or train with the nearest station being Haywards Heath.
How do I book tickets?
Please go to https://cuckfieldbookfest.co.uk/tickets-2023/
Can I purchase a ticket on the door?
While we recommend advance booking for all events, if seats or cancellations are available, you can buy these on the door on the day (cash or card), both at the Queen’s Hall.
Are tickets refundable?
You can opt to purchase refund protection at a cost of £0.65 when you buy your tickets.
What is parking like in Cuckfield?
There is a public car park in Broad Street plus on street parking in the village. If using the Broad Street car park, a disc is required. This can be obtained from several village shops (indicated on the board in the car park).
You can also park in Warden Park Secondary School car park (Broad St, Cuckfield, RH17 5DP) which is a 10 minute walk to Queen’s Hall.
Is photography permitted?
No photography is permitted. A festival photographer will be taking photographs at the sessions.
Are there facilities for people with disabilities?
Yes – for more information about these facilities please email info@cuckfieldbookfest.co.uk
Is there an ATM in the Village?
Yes, you can find an ATM inside the Co-op at the Whitemans Green end of the village.
How do the authors’ sessions work?
Each author either introduces themselves or is introduced by a moderator (or interviewer). They then may read a page or two of their book to give the audience a flavour of it and then discuss it with the moderator. The last 15 minutes of the session consists of questions from the audience. Sometimes the author talks alone and describes their book and how it came to be written.
Is it necessary to have read the books featured?
No, absolutely not. It might be interesting to do so for the Big Book Group but not by any means essential.
Is it possible to buy books?
Waterstones will be selling books throughout the Book Festival from The Queen’s Hall.
Are there eating opportunities in Cuckfield?
Yes, there are coffee shops, pubs, and restaurants throughout the village.
How is the Book Festival funded?
We rely on the generosity of local companies and organisations, several of whom have supported us loyally since we began. Ticket sales obviously are extremely important for providing income.
How is the Book Festival organised?
There is a board consisting Sheila Mortimer (also MD of the management committee) Gavin Jamieson, Allie Young, Shauna Bevan, Debs Treyer-Evans, Sam Oliver and Andrew Lownie who form a Community Interest Company (CIC) registered with Companies House. This means that the Book Festival is entirely focussed on providing benefit to the community, local businesses and the authors who come. The main job of organising the festival is done by a management team, led by Sheila Mortimer. The team takes care of programming, finance, social media, the children’s programme, catering, marketing and volunteers.
