The Winchester Poetry Prize 2026 is open for entries.

Submission Guidelines

• Entry is open to anyone aged 16 plus.
• Poems may be on any subject and in any form or style.
• Poems must be typed, must not be longer than 40 lines (excluding title)
• Must be original and unpublished.

Judge: Julia Copus

Entry fee: £7 for first poem, £5 for subsequent poems

Prizes:

• First prize: £1,000 
• Second prize: £500
• Third prize: £250
• Kathryn Bevis Prize: £150, plus a year-long package of writing tuition

Deadline: Friday 31st July 2026 (23:59 UK time)

Please note: This is an external competition; all details and all submissions are on their website. Click here.