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Broadstairs Dickens Festival 2025, Kent
The Broadstairs Dickens Festival is celebrating its 88th anniversary in 2025. The three-day
held in June in the coastal
town celebrates the work of the greatest Victorian novelist, including a performance of Great Expectations.
Dickens and Broadstairs
Dickens often came to Broadstairs between 1837 and 1859. He wrote many of his novels here including Nicolas Nickleby and David Copperfield.
In 1851 he wrote the short story Our English Watering Place which is based on Broadstairs while staying at Fort House, now called Bleak House. It was published in 1852.
Origins of the Festival
The Charles Dickens festival Broadstairs was established in 1937 to mark the centenary of the novelist’s first visit to the Kent coastal town. Gladys Waterer who was then a resident at Dickens House proposed they put on a performance of David Copperfield with people wandering around the town dressed in Victorian attire to promote the event.
The festival has continued ever since apart from during World War II. Each year the
, which was also formed in 1937 requests the festival to take place. The fellowship meets on the first Wednesday in the month. The Dickens Fellowship is based at the Charles Dickens Museum in London, with branches around the world
.
Broadstairs Dickens Festival 2025
Full details of the events of this year’s festival will appear at the festival website (see address below). The festival play performed at the Sarah Thorne Theatre will be Great Expectations from 13 to 15 June 2025. To book tickets for this call 0333 666 4466 or go to
.
Broadstairs Dickens Festival 2025 Dates
It will be held from 13 to 15 June 2025.
How To Get To Broadstairs
From London Victoria coach station it is approximately a 90-minute journey, and by rail 1 hour 50 minutes from Victoria and 2 hours from Charing Cross stations. St Pancras International Station is a third rail alternative, taking approximately 80 minutes.
Things To Do in Thanet
In addition to enjoying the Broadstairs sands there are plenty of things to do in the
, Kent. A wonderful place to explore close to London, to find out more go to the local
. There foodies can try the spring and autumn
.
All images: Broadstairs Dickens Festival, credit Tourism @ Thanet District Council.
0333 666 4466
