Jay Griffiths explores how animals can have a role in every level of healing, from the individual to the collective; How Animals Heal Us puts animals at the heart of a restorative vision of health.

In Your Lowly Hedgehog Knows, Gareth Howell-Jones looks at the simple, everyday things around us to develop a radical and heartening world-view based on nature rather than cultural traditions.

Together, they reimagine our place in nature with wonder, hope and a lot of humour.

Join Jan for an exploration of poems about the many aspects of the winter season celebrated by poets past and present.

Let us come together to enjoy the season in all its rich variety from snow laden trees, animal and birdlife, the wildness of bleak landscapes to the domestic joys of friendship, food, drink and warmth with a hint of the renewal that the new year will bring.

Ticket price includes tea or coffee and cake!

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...

Join us for a magical treat on the night before Christmas Eve, when Anna Dreda will be reading the classic Christmas poem, The Night Before Christmas, all by candlelight at the Poetry Pharmacy above the bookshop.

Each ticket is £15 per family, and includes a gift for the children and some festive refreshments. Our proceeds this year will be going to the Gaza Appeal for Children in Crisis.

Catch the poetry bug at the Poetry Pharmacy!

Join in with poet Debra Bertulis as she performs some of her (really) silly poems, then when she stops being silly, learn how to write your own poem in this fun, inspiring, interactive poetry session!

Sarah will gently guide you to write from a place of stillness, a place where the body can express itself without the interruption of the usual mind chatter.

With guided meditation, contemplation, and creative exercises, this relaxing session kick-starts the 2026 Bishop's Castle Arts Festival Programme at the Poetry Pharmacy in an immersive experience of writing for wellbeing.

Poetry is contagious, but it’s okay because we’ll all be at the Poetry Pharmacy! Join poet Debra Bertulis in this fun, inspiring poetry workshop. Learn how to create a poem full of imagery. That’s not all! Want to know how famous poets do it? Debra’s ready to spill the beans on their tricks of the trade. Want to know what word does actually rhyme with ‘orange?

This event is part of Bishop's Castle Arts Festival, being held in the space above the bookshop.

Join us for a special event open mic for Bishop's Castle Arts Festival with special guests Emma Purshouse and Steve Pottinger.

All are welcome and all who wish to will get an opportunity to read. No need to prebook - just sign up on the night.

£5 on the door with refreshments included in the ticket price.

Learn about Haiku's rich history, as well as the characteristics of contemporary haiku written in English.

You'll be invited to write contemporary haiku and discover more about how to share it with the wider world.

Come and join Jan for a guided exploration of poems concerned with borders. These could be borders of place, time, season or states of mind. The poems will be drawn from the past and present, and a range of writers with a diversity of backgrounds.

Ticket price includes coffee and cake!

As winter softens and signs of spring begin to appear, we take inspiration from the natural world, its seasonal shifts and transitions.

Rhiannon Hooson is a Welsh poet, author and editor. She has won major awards for her work, including an Eric Gregory Award from the Society of Authors, and her first book, The Other City, was shortlisted for the Wales Book of the Year award.

Join local illustrator Liv Bargman in this 2 hour creative workshop for Bishop’s Castle Arts Festival to explore the whimsical world of nonsense poetry through imaginative illustration and playful visual storytelling.

Drawing inspiration from iconic poets such as Edward Lear, Spike Milligan, Ogden Nash, and Hilaire Belloc, the session will blend poetry, drawing, and character design, Liv will share her signature specialism in character creation in a fun, accessible format, suitable for adults.

Materials and refreshments included in the ticket price.

From alarm bells, through hand bells, cycle bells, bell-shaped flowers, and even pub names, the shape and sound of bells evokes memories and has inspired writers.

Come and explore this evocative theme through exemplar poems, discussion and writing prompts.

£10 on the day. Refreshments and resource booklet included in ticket price.

Join poet Jo Bell and artist Bean Sawyer for an unforgettable all-night poetry workshop that blends writing with visual art and creative camaraderie. 

Whether you're long-established or poetry-curious, you can expect laughter, insight, and a flurry of inspiration. Come with a notebook, leave with a constellation of new ideas, connections, and memories of a dawn filled with potential.

The workshop will run from 10pm - 7am, with plenty of time for snoozing and resting. Spaces are limited, so book early. 

To Write the Unruly Body Kate Noakes presents a number of approaches and exercises for writing about illness, dis-ease and disease. Deriving from her new book, Sublime Lungs, she invites you to the Poetry Pharmacy for a morning of reflection and expression, and occasional light-heartedness.

Kate Noakes PhD, is a poet and non-fiction writer from Bristol. She has published nine full collections of poetry and a pamphlet. She has taught workshops for Paris Lit Up, the Poetry School, Oxford University and Malika’s Poetry Kitchen. Her website is www.boomslangpoetry.blogspot.com.

Poetry Club is back!

These are held upstairs in the bookshop as usual, so parents can wait in the coffee shop if they'd like to!

Suitable for 7 to 11 year olds.

Join the renowned Anna Dreda (formally Wenlock Bookshop and Wenlock Poetry Festival) for a warm, friendly and fun poetry reading and writing club.

All very welcome to read, write and chat about poetry! £3 to cover refreshments

Please email Anna for dates: annadreda@icloud.com

Verbatim open mic is hosted by Welshpool Poetry Festival Director, Pat Edwards, every two months.

There is always an invited guest reader with everyone getting an opportunity to read at the open mic. Just sign up on the night!

The Poetry Pharmacy is proud to provide the venue and a warm welcome for all.

£5 on the door. Refreshments included in the entrance price.

This monthly poetry writing workshop has been running for over five years with beginners, visitors to the town and regular attendees all warmly welcome.

Touch Paper is a relaxed two-hour workshop run by experienced poet and workshop leader Pat Edwards. Come along to write, reflect and chat - there's no need to book.

£10 to include refreshments - yes, that does mean cake!