We are delighted to announce that this year’s Wainwright Prize winners’ ceremony will take place at Elmley Nature Reserve in North Kent.
Set across 3,300 acres of wild coastal marshland, Elmley is one of the UK’s leading landscape-scale conservation projects. Over the last four decades, this family-run estate has been transformed into a thriving haven for wildlife, becoming a nationally important site for some of Britain’s rarest species and a remarkable example of nature recovery at scale.
For us, it feels like the perfect place to celebrate this year’s winners.
The Wainwright Prize was founded to celebrate the very best writing about nature, conservation and our relationship with the natural world. At the heart of our mission is a belief in the power of stories to change the way we see the world around us, helping us to look closer, think differently and, ultimately, feel more connected to the planet we call home.
Elmley shares that belief in the power of connection.
At the heart of the Reserve’s vision is the idea that people are more likely to protect the natural world when they have the opportunity to experience it firsthand. By bringing conservation, wildlife-friendly farming and meaningful access together, Elmley has created a place where visitors can immerse themselves in nature and discover the wildlife and wild places worth protecting.
From its internationally important populations of breeding wading birds to raptors, owls, hares, rare bees, dragonflies and flora, Elmley is a landscape alive with stories. Its extraordinary transformation also offers a powerful reminder of what is possible when we give nature the space and support to recover.
As we come together to celebrate the books that have helped us see the natural world in new ways, we can think of few settings more fitting than this one.
Just 40 miles from London, yet a world away from the everyday, Elmley’s sweeping marshes, soul-stirring skies and abundant wildlife will provide a truly special backdrop for this year’s celebration.
The 2026 Wainwright Prize winners’ ceremony will bring together our shortlisted authors and illustrators, judges, partners and supporters to celebrate another remarkable year of books that connect people and planet.
No matter where you are, we’ll be bringing the celebrations to you. Follow along on our social channels as we share live updates, behind-the-scenes moments and all the excitement from Elmley throughout the evening. We’ll also be announcing the 2026 Wainwright Prize winners live on social media, so wherever you are, you can be among the first to hear the news.
Tune in on 17th September!