top of page

What's On: Full Listings

  • The Imaginarium Bookshop
    The Imaginarium Bookshop
    Mon, 21 Oct
    Imaginarium Bookshop
    21 Oct 2024, 00:00 – 04 Nov 2024, 23:50
    Imaginarium Bookshop, 10 ANGEL COURTYARD, Lymington SO41 9AP, UK
    21 Oct 2024, 00:00 – 04 Nov 2024, 23:50
    Imaginarium Bookshop, 10 ANGEL COURTYARD, Lymington SO41 9AP, UK
    Official Festival bookshop and event partner, The Imaginarium is an award winning independent bookshop in Lymington. Offering a carefully curated selection of books across all genres. Sci-Fi and Fantasy specialists.
  • Story Quest: Hidden Treasures of Ballard Water Meadow
    Story Quest: Hidden Treasures of Ballard Water Meadow
    Mon, 21 Oct
    Ballard Water Meadow
    21 Oct 2024, 00:00 – 04 Nov 2024, 23:50
    Ballard Water Meadow, 8 Lake Grove Rd, New Milton BH25 5JX, UK
    21 Oct 2024, 00:00 – 04 Nov 2024, 23:50
    Ballard Water Meadow, 8 Lake Grove Rd, New Milton BH25 5JX, UK
    Join Cyril Squirrel and his wild friends on an illustrated adventure around Ballard Water Meadows!
  • Pop Up Music Bookstore at Coda
    Pop Up Music Bookstore at Coda
    Mon, 21 Oct
    Coda Music and Arts Centre
    21 Oct 2024, 11:00 – 04 Nov 2024, 17:00
    Coda Music and Arts Centre, Chewton Farm Rd, Walkford, Christchurch BH23 5QL, UK
    21 Oct 2024, 11:00 – 04 Nov 2024, 17:00
    Coda Music and Arts Centre, Chewton Farm Rd, Walkford, Christchurch BH23 5QL, UK
    A pop-up, second-hand bookstore for those who want to find out more about their favourite artist, genre of music or find the perfect guide to help play. No booking required, open 11am-5pm Monday to Thursday at CODA
  • Book Lovers' Lunch
    Book Lovers' Lunch
    Mon, 21 Oct
    Cliff House Restaurant
    21 Oct 2024, 12:00 – 14:30
    Cliff House Restaurant, Marine Dr W, Barton on Sea, New Milton BH25 7QL, UK
    21 Oct 2024, 12:00 – 14:30
    Cliff House Restaurant, Marine Dr W, Barton on Sea, New Milton BH25 7QL, UK
    Join us at the Cliff House for a literary lunch with Sunday Times bestseller and author of eight destination thrillers, Lucy Clarke. Tickets £38 through the Forest Arts box office.
  • Writing for Wellbeing
    Writing for Wellbeing
    Tue, 22 Oct
    Creative Hub, 23 Totton Shopping Centre
    22 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 12:00
    Creative Hub, 23 Totton Shopping Centre, Commercial Rd, Totton, Southampton SO40 3BX, UK
    22 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 12:00
    Creative Hub, 23 Totton Shopping Centre, Commercial Rd, Totton, Southampton SO40 3BX, UK
    Explore ways in which the practice of writing creatively can have a positive impact on mental health and emotional wellbeing.
  • Mothership Writers
    Mothership Writers
    Tue, 22 Oct
    New Milton Library
    22 Oct 2024, 13:00 – 15:00
    New Milton Library, Gore Rd, New Milton BH25 6RW, UK
    22 Oct 2024, 13:00 – 15:00
    New Milton Library, Gore Rd, New Milton BH25 6RW, UK
    As a new mother it’s easy to become so completely consumed. Join Mothership Writers to nurture your own creative spirit. Tickets are Pay What You Can Afford, bookable via ArtfulScribe.
  • Writing for Wellbeing
    Writing for Wellbeing
    Tue, 22 Oct
    New Milton Library
    22 Oct 2024, 14:00 – 16:00
    New Milton Library, Gore Rd, New Milton BH25 6RW, UK
    22 Oct 2024, 14:00 – 16:00
    New Milton Library, Gore Rd, New Milton BH25 6RW, UK
    Explore ways in which the practice of writing creatively can have a positive impact on mental health and emotional wellbeing.
  • Play on Words Open Mic Showcase
    Play on Words Open Mic Showcase
    Tue, 22 Oct
    Forest Arts Centre
    22 Oct 2024, 19:30 – 22:00
    Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Rd, New Milton, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6DS, UK
    22 Oct 2024, 19:30 – 22:00
    Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Rd, New Milton, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6DS, UK
    A showcase edition of our regular Play On Words Open Mic session, welcoming Martin Figura and Helen Ivory. Tickets are pay what you decide, available through Forest Arts box office.
  • Wine and Words with Helen McGinn
    Wine and Words with Helen McGinn
    Wed, 23 Oct
    New Milton Rugby Club
    23 Oct 2024, 18:00 – 19:00
    New Milton Rugby Club, Normans Wy, Ashley, New Milton BH25 5FN, UK
    23 Oct 2024, 18:00 – 19:00
    New Milton Rugby Club, Normans Wy, Ashley, New Milton BH25 5FN, UK
    A sparkling evening with Helen McGinn at the New Milton Rugby Club, including a talk, wine tasting and local charcuterie from the Super Brothers Arms. £28 including talk, wine and tapas; tickets through Forest Arts Centre.
  • Write Your Family History
    Write Your Family History
    Multiple Dates
    Thu, 24 Oct
    House Martin Pub & Dining
    24 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 13:00
    House Martin Pub & Dining, Christchurch Rd, Barton on Sea, New Milton BH25 6QF, UK
    24 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 13:00
    House Martin Pub & Dining, Christchurch Rd, Barton on Sea, New Milton BH25 6QF, UK
    How would you tell the story of your life? What are you proud of, what have you learned? Tools and tricks to kickstart writing your own memoirs with Barney Norris. Tickets £7 through Culture in Common.
  • Shaparak Khorsandi: Scatter Brain
    Shaparak Khorsandi: Scatter Brain
    Thu, 24 Oct
    Forest Arts Centre
    24 Oct 2024, 19:30 – 21:10
    Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Rd, New Milton, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6DS, UK
    24 Oct 2024, 19:30 – 21:10
    Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Rd, New Milton, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6DS, UK
    Having reassessed her life through the prism of an ADHD diagnosis in last year's funny and moving memoir, one of Britain's most beloved and most scatterbrained stand-ups lets you back into her mind (warning: it's cluttered in there). £17, tickets through Forest Arts Centre
  • Lists: Lost and Found
    Lists: Lost and Found
    Fri, 25 Oct
    Coda Music and Arts Centre
    25 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 04 Nov 2024, 17:00
    Coda Music and Arts Centre, Chewton Farm Rd, Walkford, Christchurch BH23 5QL, UK
    25 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 04 Nov 2024, 17:00
    Coda Music and Arts Centre, Chewton Farm Rd, Walkford, Christchurch BH23 5QL, UK
    Artist Kyleigh Orlebar has been foraging for them for the last 14 years, collecting the lost and found, the private and the public, keeping them safe like treasures and pondering the worlds of all who’ve written them. Free exhibition at Coda, open Mon to Sat. See the website for opening times.
  • In Their Own Words: Writing Workshop
    In Their Own Words: Writing Workshop
    Fri, 25 Oct
    New Milton Library
    25 Oct 2024, 11:00 – 12:30
    New Milton Library, Gore Rd, New Milton BH25 6RW, UK
    25 Oct 2024, 11:00 – 12:30
    New Milton Library, Gore Rd, New Milton BH25 6RW, UK
    Join Hampshire Poet Damian Kelly-Basher for this fun, friendly session creating new poems out of old texts. No writing experience required.
  • Heritage Walk for Writers and Non-Writers
    Heritage Walk for Writers and Non-Writers
    Sat, 26 Oct
    Forest Arts Centre
    26 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 12:00
    Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Rd, New Milton, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6DS, UK
    26 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 12:00
    Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Rd, New Milton, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6DS, UK
    Back by popular demand, join local historian Nick Saunders to learn the stories behind buildings and sites of interest in Milton Village. Tickets £6 including hot drink
  • Writers Day: Developing Your Scriptwriting Practice
    Writers Day: Developing Your Scriptwriting Practice
    Sat, 26 Oct
    Forest Arts Centre
    26 Oct 2024, 11:00 – 12:00
    Forest Arts Centre, Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Rd, New Milton BH25 6DS, UK
    26 Oct 2024, 11:00 – 12:00
    Forest Arts Centre, Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Rd, New Milton BH25 6DS, UK
    Join Ed Viney, theatre director, writer, and Festival Director of The Script’s The Thing, for an insight into practical and creative considerations behind scriptwriting as an artistic practice. Tickets £10.46 (inc fees) or Writers Day ticket for all sessions available, booked through ArtfulScribe.
  • Writers' Day: Earning Money From Your Work
    Writers' Day: Earning Money From Your Work
    Sat, 26 Oct
    Forest Arts Centre
    26 Oct 2024, 13:00 – 14:00
    Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Rd, New Milton, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6DS, UK
    26 Oct 2024, 13:00 – 14:00
    Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Rd, New Milton, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6DS, UK
    How do you make a living as a writer? Hear writers and artists Alice May and Antosh Wojcik discussing portfolio careers, and the variety of ways they have earned money from their work. Tickets £10.46 (inc fees) or Writers Day ticket for all sessions available. Booking through ArtfulScribe.
  • Writers' Day: Using Social Media
    Writers' Day: Using Social Media
    Sat, 26 Oct
    Forest Arts Centre
    26 Oct 2024, 15:00 – 16:00
    Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Rd, New Milton, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6DS, UK
    26 Oct 2024, 15:00 – 16:00
    Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Rd, New Milton, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6DS, UK
    Tips and techniques for using social media to promote and share your work, with writer, author, book reviewer and journalist Andreina Cordani. Tickets £10.46 (inc fees) or Writers Day ticket for all sessions available. Booking through ArtfulScribe.
  • Writers' Day: Writers' Social
    Writers' Day: Writers' Social
    Sat, 26 Oct
    Forest Arts Centre
    26 Oct 2024, 16:00 – 18:00
    Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Rd, New Milton, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6DS, UK
    26 Oct 2024, 16:00 – 18:00
    Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Rd, New Milton, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6DS, UK
    Join ArtfulScribe, members of the Play on Words steering group and our partners for a chance to meet other writers and discuss your day. Tickets free, we'd welcome reservations to let us know numbers through ArtfulScribe

Subscribe to the Play on Words mailing list

Thanks for subscribing!

If you are able to champion our work and help others access these life-enriching activities, we’d really appreciate your support.

We appreciate any donations you can afford. Thank you.

New Logo block 2024_edited.jpg
bottom of page