Exeter is a UNESCO
City of Literature
Exeter became a UNESCO City of Literature in 2019. Exeter is part of a global network of 63 UNESCO Cities of Literature from 44 different countries. Exeter City of Literature exists to celebrate and support Devon’s readers, writers, and storytellers on a global level.
We are committed to supporting creativity and culture in our communities across Exeter and Devon; whether that’s through creative projects, bringing authors and events to the region, or providing new forms of wellbeing support through literature. As a City of Literature, we are able to bring more skills, events, and opportunities to Devon through the UNESCO Cities of Literature network.
Our vision is for everyone to love stories and storytelling.
Silent Book Club Summer Special!
A summertime reading escape in one of Devon’s most extraordinary hidden gardens.
For this Silent Book Club Special, you’re invited to spend time exploring the remarkable Italian Garden at Great Ambrook.
The event will begin with an hour of silent reading in the garden, followed by poetry readings, creative activities, light snacks, and time to wander and discover the garden’s hidden corners.
Bring a book (and a picnic if you’d really like to lean into the summer vibes) and settle into an unforgettable day of alfresco reading and bookish fun!
Upcoming Literary Events across Exeter & Devon
Announcing the Greenway Residency Writers
On Thursday 14th May, we unveiled the trio of talented writers selected for the inaugural writer residency at National Trust’s Greenway set to take place in September and October of 2026.
Our chosen writers are:
Aining Wen | Nanjing City of Literature, China
Judith Rossell | Melbourne City of Literature, Australia
Manjiri Prabhu | Kozhikode City of Literature, India
Silent Book Club in Exeter is returning in 2026 with even more sessions!
Silent Book Club is a global community of readers and introverts, with more than 2000 chapters in 60+ countries around the world led by local volunteers.
Exeter City of Literature began hosting the Exeter branch of Silent Book Club in April 2024. In 2026 we’re expanding to three sessions a month!
If you would like to attend and would benefit from a book token to purchase a brand new release to read at Silent Book Club please contact us and we'd be happy to help.
Writing Resources & Opportunities
We’ve Unveiled New Literary Artwork at Exeter St Davids Train Station!
A permanent installation of new artwork was unveiled at Exeter St David’s station to celebrate Exeter’s UNESCO City of Literature status on World Book Day (Thursday 7th March).
The artwork, created by local artists Billy Ruffian (an artist alias of Isabel Keen) and Jack Ratcliff, honours Devon’s rich literary history and is supported by Great Western Railway’s (GWR) Customer and Community Improvement Fund.
The artwork located on the footbridge and lift footbridge at the station will be accessible to commuters travelling through Exeter St David’s.
The Penguin Book
Vending Machine
comes home to Exeter!
We loved partnering with Penguin Books and Great Western Railway to bring something special to Exeter…
This list is a fantastic overview of new releases in 2026 from Devon writers in one handy place. Is this list missing a Devon author with a 2026 release we should know about? If it’s available on Bookshop.org - contact us!
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![Map of South West England highlighting explore trails, beaches, city sites, parks, and natural features like the Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks, with icons of animals, bicycles, and landmarks.]()
Explore UNESCO South West Trails
A new campaign and digital platform, Explore UNESCO South West Trails, offers visitors an inspiring and sustainable way to discover the rich cultural and natural heritage of South West England.
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The Cities of Literature network is growing!
From Wales to Morocco to the Philippines, discover the 10 new cities from across the world that have joined the global UNESCO Cities of Literature network in 2025.
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![A woman with red hair taking a selfie with a man wearing a hat on a city street. The background features historic buildings, parked cars, and a blue and yellow flag hanging from a building.]()
Lessons from Ukraine
"The poets are literally rockstars..." | In October 2025, University of Exeter Professor Hugh Roberts visited Lviv UNESCO City of Literature in Ukraine for the annual BookForum.
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![Cover of a publication titled "Exeter City of Literature 2025 Wrapped," with illustrations of a globe, a fountain pen, and abstract geometric shapes.]()
2025 Wrapped: Year in Review
From an ever growing audience at our bookish events, to an incredible array of continent-crossing collaborations with our fellow Cities of Literature, 2025 has been a great year for Exeter!
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![Four people standing indoors holding books, with two banners in the background that read 'City of Literature' and 'Made of our stories'.]()
From Jakarta to Exeter (via Paris)
Exeter UNESCO City of Literature continues to highlight our global connections to a network of worldwide writers as we play host to Indonesian writer Rio Johan.
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![Large group of people gathered outdoors in front of a white building, with some signs and banners, wearing conference badges and lanyards, posing for a group photo during a professional event.]()
We Speak Literature Here
Let us answer ‘What is a City of Literature?’ via the annual Cities of Literature conference, this year in the utterly gorgeous Ljubljana in Slovenia.
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![Group of eight people standing behind a table at a Penguin Books event, with books, brochures, and Cupcakes on the table, and a Penguin Books display behind them.]()
90 years of Penguin in Exeter
We joined forces with Penguin and GWR in July to celebrate the birthday of the powerhouse publisher’s local origins, and Exeter’s global status as a UNESCO City of Literature.
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![A woman with glasses and a headband smiling and holding a book titled "The Principle of Movement" standing indoors with framed pictures on the wall behind her; beside her, a building with a clock tower is visible outdoors against a bright blue sky.]()
Three weeks of writing in Spain with Esmie
Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson is a Sunday Times Bestselling author and University of Exeter graduate. In 2024, she spent three weeks on a writing residency in Barcelona UNESCO City of Literature.
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Our beloved vending machine gets a glow-up!
We are celebrating 90 years of Penguin Books in 2025 with a series of themed bookshelves that honour Exeter’s unique global status as a City of Literature!
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Exeter heads to Edinburgh
October marked the twenty-year anniversary of Edinburgh becoming the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature! The City celebrated by hosting the Cities of Literature Annual Conference in October 2024.
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![Two women outdoors, one with short blonde hair and a white shirt smiling near boats, and the other with shoulder-length blonde hair and a black shirt writing in a notebook near the beach with a cloudy sky.]()
An Interview With Langrove Publishing
We chat with Erin Allgrove from independent Devon publisher Langrove Publishing about Bosun Bob, Devon’s publishing scene and her favourite reading spot.
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![Map of the United Kingdom showing UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a colorful illustrated map of Exeter and Devon, England, highlighting local landmarks, parks, and points of interest.]()
New Maps to celebrate UNESCO designation!
Two free maps have been released to celebrate Exeter and the UK’s UNESCO designations, one from the UK National Commission for UNESCO and the other from Exeter City of Lit.
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![A park exhibition with signs about Exeter, showing the Exeter emblem with a phoenix and eagle, and a row of informational displays along a path.]()
Places of Independence
Several UNESCO Cities of Literature recently collaborated by sharing a piece of their city that represents independence and freedom for an outdoor exhibition in Lviv City of Literature.
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![Poster with the title 'Book Nooks in Warm Spaces' promoting fundraising to provide free books in warm places for accessible reading in Devon. Features illustrations of bookshelves, plants, artwork, and a person reading on a blue couch.]()
Book Nooks In Warm Spaces
In 2023, we launched a new campaign to make reading more accessible across Exeter and Devon - we wanted to put books into the hands of those that needed them most.
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Arts Council Funding News!
After becoming a charity and independent organisation in late 2021, Arts Council England have awarded Exeter UNESCO City of Literature National Portfolio Organisation status.
