A friendly and informal event in St Barbe's café, with a chance to hear from some of the New Forest's wealth of writing talent

Join ArtfulScribe, St Barbe and partners as we return for another year of showcasing writing talent from the New Forest and the local region.

This is a fun and friendly evening to meet other writers, feel part of a community and purchase books, part of the Play on Words Festival, taking place from the 22 - 28 October 2026.

If you'd like to present at the evening, please apply here: presenters will receive a free ticket to attend the event.

During the day before the showcase there are professional skills workshops at St Barbe Museum. Click here for a direct link or find these and other events and activities taking place across the New Forest at www.playonwords.org.uk.

This event is run on a Pay What You Decide basis: the more you're able to contribute, the more we're able to offer in the future. You decide if you are able to pay the standard price, pay it forward to support others to attend, or need a free or reduced price ticket.

The festival is funded by Culture in Common, New Milton Town Council and using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, through ArtfulScribe’s ongoing literature development programme for the New Forest.

The venue

Located at the heart of the beautiful, historic coastal market town of Lymington, St Barbe is both a dynamic local history museum and highly regarded art gallery.

The venue is 5 minutes walk from Lymington Town railway station, and has bike racks at the side of the building through the gates off Old School Lane. A transport guide including bus map is available here: https://documents.hants.gov.uk/passenger-transport/newforest-travelguide.pdf.

If coming by vehicle, up to three hours parking is available at the Pay and Display in Emsworth Road, with accessible parking close to the museum, but if you're with us for the whole day follow Emsworth Road round to Barfields Car Park for long stay parking.

Access

St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery has ramp access to the side of the building for wheelchairs. Please call 01590 676969 to discuss your individual needs and St Barbe will be happy to help.

For more information visit: https://www.stbarbe-museum.org.uk/visit/getting-here/

Description supplied by the event organiser.