All you need to know to visit Cheltenham Lit Fest

Singer and former X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos will be among those speaking at the festival

A TV legend, a former X Factor judge and a Tour de France record holder will all front events at this year's Cheltenham Literature Festival.

The event is thought to be the world's oldest literature festival, first held in 1949, and this year more than 400 events will take place between 10-19 October.

Dame Joanna Lumley, star of Absolutely Fabulous, will be interviewed about her forthcoming book, and Tulisa Contostavlos, of The X Factor and N-Dubz fame, will talk about Judgement, her new book detailing the highs and lows of her career.

Cyclist Mark Cavendish, record-holder for most Tour de France stage wins and one of the most formidable sprinters the sport has ever seen will also be speaking about his book, Believe.

Here's all you need to know before you go.

How can I get there?

The festival takes place across various venues in Cheltenham town centre, with the main hub set up in Montpellier Gardens.

The train station is a 20-minute walk away from the gardens, or a 10-minute bus ride.

Is there parking nearby?

The easiest and simplest places to park are the two park & ride centres at Arle Court, just off Junction 11 of the M5, and at Cheltenham Racecourse.

The nearest large car parks to Montpellier Gardens are The Regent Arcade and Cheltenham Walk.

There are smaller car parks in the vicinity, including Rodney Road and St George's Road, although parking here can be limited.

Dame Joanna Lumley will talk an audience through her new book on 12 October

Do I have to book events in advance?

Tickets are needed for individual talks and readings and some are selling out fast, so it could be a good idea to not leave it too long if there is someone you particularly want to see.

However, it is free to enter the lively Festival Village in Montpellier Gardens where many shops and stalls will be available.

Are there free events?

Every day there will be free events to enjoy, including family friendly workshops and talks.

For children, there will be puppet plays and children's book readings.

Adults can enjoy free workshops, including a found poetry workshop on Sunday or music and comedy performances on Friday. Among the many non-ticketed events inside the main festival village will also be talks and live readings.

Where are events being held?

Events are mainly held across the town centre and within walking distance of each other. Cheltenham Town Hall, the Everyman Theatre, Parabola Arts Centre, and the Queens Hotel are among those hosting talks.

There are a couple of sites a little further away though, with The Centaur, at Cheltenham Racecourse, and Dunkerton's Taproom in Charlton Kings also involved in the event.

Who else is there to see?

Where to start? There are scores of events spanning literature, poetry, sport, politics, music, cinema and more so it's well worth scanning the festival website and making a list of your favourites.

Michael Palin will be talking about his latest adventures in Venezuela, while there will also be appearances from chef Raymond Blanc, actor and presenter Tony Robinson, Dragons Den star Deborah Meaden, and comedian Rhys James.

What about accessibility and facilities?

The festival says it aims to ensure the event is for everyone and is committed to offering a welcoming and safe environment. It says all venues, including the temporary ones set up for the event, are accessible.

If an event includes strobe lighting or sudden loud noises it will be listed in the event information and there will be on-site warnings. Fully adapted toilets will be signposted and assistance dogs are welcome in all venues.

Some events will be accompanied by BSL interpreters, and backpacks containing sensory aids such as ear defenders and fidget toys can be borrowed for free from the on-site box office.