The Broadstairs Dickens Festival is celebrating its 87th anniversary in 2024. The three-day festival held in June in the coastal Kent 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 Broadstairs Dickens Fellowship, 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 2024
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 14 to 16 June 2024. To book tickets for this call 0333 666 4466 or go to www.sarahthornetheatre.co.uk/book.
Broadstairs Dickens Festival 2024 Dates
It will be held from 14 to 16 June 2024.
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 Isle of Thanet, Kent. A wonderful place to explore close to London, to find out more go to the local Visit Thanet tourism website. There foodies can try the spring and autumn Broadstairs Food Festival.
All images: Broadstairs Dickens Festival, credit Tourism @ Thanet District Council.
