harles Dickens visited Broadstairs in Kent regularly from 1837 until 1859 and immortalised the town as"Our English Watering Place".

In 1937, to commemorate the centenary of the author's first visit, Gladys Waterer, the then owner of Dickens House, conceived the idea of putting on a production of David Copperfield and of having people about the town in Victorian dress to publicise it. Thus the festival was born and, with the exception of the years of World War 2, has been held annually in the third week of June ever since.

2009 Broadstairs Dickens Festival events >>

The 2009 Broadstairs Dickens Festival runs from Saturday 20th June to Wednesday 24th June inclusive.

Follow in Charles Dickens' footsteps by coming to Broadstairs, which he visited between 1837 and 1859. See the delights of the town which he named "Our English Watering Place".