Lone Wolves: Journeys into the Wild with Adam Weymouth & Sophy Roberts

What happens when we follow the call of the wild – alone?

In this rare meeting of two extraordinary voices, join Adam Weymouth (Lone Wolf, Kings of the Yukon) and Sophy Roberts (The Lost Pianos of Siberia, The Training School for Elephants) – two of the most original, courageous and poetic travel writers working today.

Weymouth’s deeply reported narratives explore human and ecological fault lines with empathy and urgency. Roberts journeys to the furthest flung places on Earth – Siberia, the Congo, the Burmese jungle – in search of lost music, vanishing stories and the fragile beauty of wild places. Both are masters of immersive, literary non-fiction: driven by curiosity, guided by instinct, and unafraid to go where the road disappears.

Together, they’ll explore what it means to travel slowly and attentively, to write with truth and grace, and to surrender to solitude, risk and awe. This is not your typical travel talk – it’s a conversation about the wildness within us, and the stories the world whispers when we’re finally still enough to listen.

Whether you're a devoted reader, a secret adventurer, or simply someone who longs to disappear into a beautiful book – don’t miss this chance to hear from two of the most singular, spellbinding voices in contemporary writing.

This event will be chaired by Simon Richmond. Simon is a Folkestone-based travel writer, photographer and editor with over 25 years’ experience exploring the world. He has contributed to more than 70 guidebooks and publications, including Lonely Planet, BBC, National Geographic, Rough Guides and Time Out. Now based in Folkestone, Simon is passionate about storytelling, a strong sense of place and the art of slow, mindful travel.

FIND OUT MORE

Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.

We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.

And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.

There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.

We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.

We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year's festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.