Hexham Book Festival

by Janie French on behalf of Ecocabs

Hexham Book Festival is one of our favourite annual events. The festival was set up the same year as Ecocabs, in 2006. It’s great to have watched the book festival grow from the germ of an idea into something really special for the Tyne Valley. There are dozens of events on between this Friday June 10th and June 19th. They’re spread between the Queen’s Hall, Hexham Abbey and outside the Abbey in a fantastic Spiegeltent.

The team at the Hexham Book Festival set up a children’s offshoot of the festival a few years ago. This has now blossomed into StoryLand, a family festival, where little and big kids can have a lot of fun (whether they are readers or not). There’s lots of free stuff for families this weekend in Hexham Abbey Grounds. Enjoy summer festival vibes and entertainment including appearances from well-loved book characters, street theatre, circus displays and spectacular bubbles !

Here’s what we’re excited about at Ecocabs from the Hexham Book Festival and StoryLand programmes.

Ecocabs Hexham Book Festival Picks

Here at Ecocabs, we are passionate about the environment and sustainability. Did you know, for instance, that all our taxis are electric or hybrid? Our Hexham Book Festival picks really chime with that:


Wild Fell – Lee Schofield – Sunday, 19th June at noon

Lee Schofield works as senior site manager at RSPB Haweswater in the Lake District National Park. Lee’s task is to restore the ecology of 30km2 of land that includes Haweswater reservoir and two traditional hill farms.

To Lee’s eye, as an ecologist and conservationist, centuries of sheep grazing have denuded the landscape at Haweswater: only a few rare species cling on to remote spots inaccessible to grazing animals. Lee’s challenge is not only to restore biodiversity – and the ability of the land to hold water and carbon – but to achieve that alongside traditional sheep farming.

‘Reasoned, intelligent, compassionate, well-informed, this is a story of hope and renewal for both nature and farming.’ Isabella Tree


Eating to Extinction – Dan Saladino – Friday, 17th June at 6.15pm

Dan Saladino has uncovered the stories of the world’s rarest foods and why we need to save them. Dan – a journalist and presenter on Radio 4’s Food Programme – meets the farmers, chefs, communities and scientists who are fighting for change. 

 ‘Dan Saladino inspires us to believe that turning the tide is still possible.’ Yotam Ottolenghi

Nests – Susan Ogilvy – Saturday, 18th June at 11.30am

A thing of beauty, Susan Ogilvy’s book Nests contains illustrations of  over 50 no-longer-in-use nests. At Hexham Book Festival, she’ll present and talk about these creations and reveal the skill and ingenuity of garden birds.

‘The nests are life-sized, and Ogilvy’s beautiful work is minutely detailed, so you can really see every last bit of twig and moss. The variety is extraordinary and the birds’ building styles even more so…  A really wonderful book’ – Sunday Times

Firmament – Simon Clark – Saturday, 18th June 5.15pm


The firmament is something that few of us will give any thought to, but it sustains all known life on the planet. Clark’s fascinating book looks at the hidden science of the weather and his event is a fantastic opportunity to better understand climate change.

Why come to Hexham Book Festival?


Check out the full programme for the book festival online – there really is something for everyone and it’s not just books with comedy, cabaret and the family festival. It brings a really lively atmosphere to Hexham and we hope to see you here.

Need a Hexham taxi?
Book with Ecocabs on 01434 600600, download the app or book online.