Reading the Wild Literary Festival | Darllen y Gwyllt returns to Llandovery on 9–10 May 2026 for its second year, bringing together acclaimed writers, illustrators and environmental thinkers for a weekend inspired by landscape and place.
Set in the heart of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, the festival has grown from a small local gathering into a full weekend programme celebrating nature writing, folklore, conservation, creativity and rural life. Held outside the bank holidays, it offers a thoughtful cultural reason to visit Llandovery in early May.
The 2026 line-up features a remarkable mix of Welsh and nationally recognised voices.
Speakers include Jon Gower, Carwyn Graves, Rhys Jones, Julie Ann Rees and Rae Howells, alongside celebrated authors and illustrators such as Jackie Morris, Nicola Davies, Jay Griffiths, Derek Gow, Alys Fowler, Emily Gravett, Thomas Docherty, Helen Docherty, Adele Nozedar and Anita Roy.
Across the weekend, sessions explore:
Nature writing and rewilding
Folklore and food heritage
Illustration and children’s literature
Ecology, conservation and rural life
Poetry and creative practice
Outdoor workshops led by Our Wild Edges and a wildflower identification course with Laura Moss of Carmarthenshire Meadows ensure the natural world remains central to the experience.
Whether you’re an avid reader, a writer, a walker, a gardener or simply curious about the landscape around you, the programme offers space to listen, learn and reflect.
Organised by Mandy and the team at Dragon’s Garden, Reading the Wild is a town-wide collaboration. Local cafés, accommodation providers and independent shops work together to welcome visitors for the weekend.
It’s an opportunity to explore one of Carmarthenshire’s characterful market towns while enjoying high-quality cultural programming in a relaxed National Park setting.
