Where dark minds gather with stories to die for.
5th to 8th February 2027 OSO Arts Centre Barnes London
Explore the February 2026 author profiles Here.
About the Festival
The Bloody Barnes Literary Festival brings together the sharpest voices in crime fiction for a weekend of panels, workshops, readings, and late-night conversations at the intimate OSO Arts Centre on the banks of the Thames. Whether you write it, read it, or simplycan't resist a good whodunit - this is your festival.
In depth conversations with best selling and debut authors alike.
The Cob & Pen Award
Celebrating the finest novels first published in 2026.
Named after Barnes famous swans and the tools of the writers’ trade
The Cob & Pen Award celebrates the finest crime novel published in the past year.
The winner a commissioned trophy, and a spotlight reading at the festival.
The Short list is announced in November and the winner announced
at a Gala dinner hosted by Gyles Brandreth
The Crime Scene
Nestled in the heart of Barnes village, the OSO Arts Centre is an independent arts venue with a 100-seat theatre and a welcoming bar. Its compact, atmospheric rooms make it the perfect home for a crime writing festival - close quarters, no escape.
OSO Arts Centre, 49 Station Rd Barnes SW13 0LF
Barnes Bridge Station 3 min walk or Bus 209 485
Free Street Parking at weekends
Get your favourite authors books'
All our writers books can be bought or ordered at the wonderful, independent bookshop
‘The Barnes Bookshop’.
Enjoy browsing before buying!
Contact
Reach out today
Contact us using the form opposite if you have any questions, requests for information or would like to join our mailing list for updates on future Bloody Barnes Events and for advance notification of tickets etc.