New £10k writing prize launched at Sherborne Travel Writing Festival

A new £10,000 prize for travel writing was unveiled at the Sherborne Travel Writing Festival on Sunday 13th April.

The annual prize will be awarded to a published British or European author whose work “encourages understanding between peoples and across societies, countering the division and isolation of the present day”.

Moreover, “as well as the boldness of the author’s ambition and the quality of writing, emphasis will be placed on books that enable readers to cross borders and so to draw together – on the page at least – our divided worlds”.

Any full-length, non-fiction (including creative non-fiction) travel book written by a British or EU national and published in English in 2024 or 2025 is eligible for the award; entries must be made by the author’s publisher or literary agent.

Full terms and conditions will be detailed on the award website. The award is being funded by a private donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

Authors Colin Thubron and Sara Wheeler and literary agent Emma Paterson are the judges of the 2026 award. In January 2026, a shortlist will be announced by the judges. The winning author will be revealed at the Sherborne Travel Writing Festival in April 2026.

Author and festival curator Rory MacLean said: “Travel writers are bridge builders, venturing out into the world to understand different peoples, cultures and times. Empathy lies at the heart of our work and the fundamental belief that through better understanding others we can better know ourselves.”