2024 information

We are delighted to open submissions for the Wainwright Prize 2024 in 3 categories:

The Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing

The Wainwright Prize for Writing on Conservation

The Wainwright Prize for Children

Key Dates (TBC)

28th March

Submissions Close

4th July

Longlist Announcement

15th August

Shortlist Announcement

12th September

Winners Ceremony

The James Cropper Wainwright Prize 2023 Winners Announced

Leila-and-the-Blue-Fox-by-Kiran-Millwood-Hargrave-and-Tom-de-Freston

Children's Winner

Conservation Winner

The-Flow-by-Amy-Jane-Beer

Nature Winner

Thursday 14th September 2023: The winners of the three categories of the James Cropper Wainwright Prize were announced today at the 10th Anniversary celebrations of the Prize in Kendal in  Cumbria – the southern gateway to the Lake District and the home of much-loved nature writer, Alfred  Wainwright.’ 

A fitting location for the 10th Anniversary celebrations of the Prize which is awarded annually to the books which most successfully inspire readers to explore the outdoors and to nurture a respect for the natural world, this year’s winning books cast a spotlight on remarkable habitats – wild rivers, lost rainforests and the wonderous Arctic – inspiring advocacy for, and reconnection with, nature for readers of all ages.  

Nature Writing

SHORTLIST 2023

Writing on Conservation

SHORTLIST 2023

Children's Nature & Conservation Writing

SHORTLIST 2023

Latest News

15 September 2023

10th James Cropper Wainwright Prize Announces Winners as Wild Places, Remarkable Habitats and Passionate Advocacy for our Planet are Celebrated

14 September 2023

Writer and Illustrator Duo Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Tom de Freston Win James Cropper Wainwright Prize for Children's Writing on Nature and Conservation

10 September 2023

13 Organisations Ensuring Nature is Accessible for All

7 September 2023

Fragility & Strength: In Conversation with Olga Prinku

5 September 2023

The Leaders of the Nature Writing Industry: Introducing the 2023 James Cropper Wainwright Prize Judges

29 August 2023

Understanding Ourselves and Our World: Why Nature Writing Matters

Merchandise Available

Show-off your passion for nature with some timeless, limited edition Wainwright Prize 10th Anniversary merchandise. Available in a range of sizes and developed in accordance with strict sustainability principles, our partners Continental Clothing aim to be the most progressive sustainable clothing on Earth. Available while stocks last.

If you are not able to make it to the festival but would love to get your hands on our limited-edition merchandise, then send us an email and we’ll see what we can do.

2023 Longlist Out Now

We are delighted to release the longlisted titles for the 10th anniversary James Cropper Wainwright Prize across three categories. 

Meet Our Featured Artist

Helen Musslewhite

We are honoured and delighted to introduce this years’ featured artist: Helen Musselwhite. Helen works with paper to create magical illustrated models and sets. Cutting by hand, she uses coloured and painted paper to build stunning, detailed multi-layered scenes inspired by the natural world and its inhabitants.

Proudly Sponsored by James Cropper

The Wainwright Prize for UK Nature and Conservation Writing, is delighted to announce the agreement of a 3 year deal for headline sponsorship with James Cropper, a prestige paper innovator, based in the English Lake District, with an operational reach in over 50 countries.

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