The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival returns for 2026, bringing ten days of talks, readings and events to the Festival Village in Montpellier Gardens. It's the world's longest-running literature festival, with events also taking place at the Town Hall and Everyman Theatre, and both weekends historically the busiest points in the calendar — so sorting your Cheltenham parking ahead of time makes for a smoother visit.

Cheltenham, Montpellier Gardens — Friday 9 October to Sunday 18 October 2026

Cheltenham parking gets busy fast once the festival is underway, and car parks in Cheltenham town centre closest to Montpellier Gardens are usually the first to fill. JustPark spaces give you an alternative, with private driveways and independent spaces dotted around Montpellier and the town centre.

With events running from breakfast through to late evening, parking near the Festival Village fills up quickly, especially on weekends. Lock in your space with JustPark before you travel.

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Fan FAQs on Cheltenham Literature Festival

The festival is centred on Montpellier Gardens in Cheltenham, where the Festival Village hosts the majority of talks and events. Additional venues, including Cheltenham Town Hall and the Everyman Theatre, host events across the town during the ten-day period.

The 2026 festival runs from Friday 9 October to Sunday 18 October, with events taking place from morning through to late evening across all ten days.

Cheltenham Spa railway station is around a 20-minute walk from Montpellier Gardens, with a taxi rank outside if you'd rather not walk. Bus services 94, 94X, 97 and 10 all stop directly opposite the Gardens. If you're driving, the nearest car parks are Rodney Road, St Georges Road, Royal Well and Regent Arcade, though these fill up quickly during the festival — booking a space with JustPark near Montpellier Gardens in advance is a good way to make sure you've got somewhere to park.

Tickets for the 2026 festival went on general sale on Thursday 3 September 2026 and are now available via the official Cheltenham Festivals website. Once you've got your tickets, it's worth sorting your parking too, as spaces near Montpellier Gardens can fill up quickly as the festival approaches.

Yes — car parks in Cheltenham town centre, particularly Regent Arcade and Cheltenham Walk, are the closest to Montpellier Gardens and fill up fast on weekends and for popular events. Booking a space with JustPark ahead of time is a straightforward way to avoid relying on finding a spot in one of the busier council car parks on the day.