This will be the second year of the Sir Philip Sidney Poetry Prize , kindly given by the Sidney family of Penshurst Place, whose ancestor Sir Philip Sidney was a famous Elizabethan poet, soldier and courtier.

This year we would like poems on a theme of The Great Outdoors

The poems may be in any style and of any length you choose, but no more than two poems per person will be accepted. (Children are limited to no more than 30 lines)

Adults may also submit a Lockdown Limerick. These should be in classic limerick form and hopefully take a more lighthearted view of life during lockdown and beyond.

There will be three prizes: Adult (Over 18), Teens (12 – 18) Children (11 and under) The winner in the Adult Section will receive £40 in book tokens plus a special presentation book of poetry. (Teens and Children Section winners will receive £20 book tokens)

All entries should be emailed with your name, address and telephone number to info@penshurstfestival.co.uk by Friday 18 September.

A short-list of entries winners will be chosen by a panel of judges headed by Dr Philip Sidney, descendant of Sir Philip Sidney. The results will be announced on the weekend of 10/11 October. We hope to have a live event where the winners will be able to read their poems, but if that is not possible the results, and the poems, will be published on our website.

Please send any questions to info@penshurstfestival.co.uk

Sir Philip Sidney 1554 - 1586