Travel disruption
There are road closures in Havenstreet — access to the festival site is from the Briddlesford Road
(Free) Festival Bus (Freshwater — Newport — Havenstreet)
We are running a shuttle bus between Newport and Havenstreet, with early/late drop off in Freshwater. See Location page for details.
Somewhen Storytelling Festival, 2023
Storytelling as living oral culture. Tales for all ages, spoken not read. Because stories aren’t (just) for children.
A two day, non-camping storytelling festival with storytelling sessions aimed specifically at adults, as well as plenty for families and children too. Several of the sessions will be supported by a signer (see programme for details).
- Location: Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Havenstreet, Isle of Wight, UK
- Date: 3rd-4th June 2023
- Time: 10:00am - late
Stages include:
- Event Barn (main stage)
- Library stage
- Woodland Stage
- Train Story — popup stage featuring quick tales from local Island storytellers (free to all IW Steam railway visitors; no additional festival ticket required)
Saturday schedule runs over two sessions: 10am-5pm (day) and 5pm-9.30pm. The Saturday day programme includes a rich and varied programme featuring storytellers, shadow puppetry, costumed story theatre, local interest talks and music. The Saturday evening programme (ages 16+ only for the evening session) includes a headline performance from Nell Phoenix, music from Second Time Around, a barn Dance/Ceilidh (with music & caller from the Caulkheads) and fireside tales.
Sunday schedule runs 10am-6pm, with the Sunday day programme featuring stories, talks, costumed story theatre, workshops, music and a family friendly matinee headline performance from Nell Phoenix.
TRAVEL DISRUPTION — WightFibre are digging up the road through Havenstreet. Diversions are in place, so the safest and most direct route to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway is from Briddlesford Road.
The festival will include headline storytelling performances, puppetry, local storytellers, a wide range of local speakers, live music, and “open mic” storytelling circles.
Ticket Prices
| Day | Adult | Child (age 4-15) | Family (2+2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Day and Evening (10am-9:30pm): £20 Evening (5pm-9.30pm): £10 |
Day: 10am-5pm: £10 | Day: 10am-5pm: £50 |
| Sunday | Day (10am-6pm): £20 | Day: 10am-6pm: £10 | Day: 10am-6pm: £50 |
| Weekend | Weekend: £30 | Weekend: £15 | Weekend: £80 |
Want to go to Somewhen Storytelling Festival but not able to get to Havenstreet?
We're working with the FYT Bus (West Wight Minibus Services) to provide community transport to help get you there.
On Saturday 3rd June the bus will be leaving from West Wight Sports Centre, Freshwater at 10am and will be stopping at Cineworld Car Park at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 4:30pm to take people to Havenstreet.
You can get the bus back from Havenstreet to Cineworld Car Park on Saturday at 12pm, 4pm or 9:45pm, with the last bus also stopping at Freshwater.
On Sunday 4th June The bus will be leaving from West Wight Sports Centre, Freshwater at 10am and will be stopping at Cineworld Car Park at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm to take people to Havenstreet.
You can get the bus back from Havenstreet to Cineworld Car Park on Saturday at 12pm, 4pm or 5:45pm, with the last bus also stopping at Freshwater.
No need to book - just turn up. This service is free, but donations to the FYT Bus would be gratefully received.
Somewhen Festival is the first in a planned year long series of Somewhenever storytelling events on the Isle of Wight, organised by the Island Storytellers, and supported by an Arts Council National Lottery Project Grant.
Facebook: SomewhenStorytellingFestival
