Penguin Books
Vending Machine

If you’ve passed through Exeter St Davids Train Station since 2023, you’ve probably spotted an intriguing vending machine dispensing books.

The Penguin Books Vending Machine is one of many literary projects we at Exeter City of Literature have been bringing to the city since we were established as a UNESCO City of Literature in 2019.

Want to see what else we’ve done with GWR? Find out more about the Literary Artwork at Exeter St Davids here.

Penguin Books vending

machine comes to Exeter!

Once upon a time…

In 1934 Sir Allen Lane was waiting at Exeter St Davids for a train back to London after visiting his friend Agatha Christie who lived in Devon, and found himself without a book to read. All that was on offer at the station bookstall were magazines and Victorian reprints. Right then and there he decided that high quality, engaging, and reasonably priced books should be available to everyone, anywhere.

The following year saw history made with the birth of the paperback as Penguin Books released their first ten titles.

The Penguincubator

Sir Allen Lane wanted to put books in the hands of as many people as possible and 10 months after founding Penguin Books he dreamed up a new way of making that happen: The Penguincubator, a futuristic machine on Charing Cross Road that offered a selection of Penguin titles.

It wasn’t entirely ‘knaveproof’, but certainly paved the way for today…

A vending vision brought to life

Anna Cohn Orchard, Executive Director of Exeter UNESCO City of Literature, knew of Penguin’s history and approached them in 2021 with the idea for a book vending machine at the site of Penguin’s origin. Thanks to the collaboration between Penguin Books, Great Western Railway, Graddons Vending, and Bookbag, we are thrilled to have helped Sir Allen Lane’s vision to come full circle with the installation of Penguin’s first ever book vending machine at Exeter St Davids!

Photography by Jim Wileman

Anna Cohn Orchard, Executive Director at Exeter City of Literature

“I grew up in Exeter, but didn’t learn about Penguin’s history until, ironically, I was working in publishing in New York. When I took on my current role, I knew I wanted to promote Exeter and Devon’s interesting, and often hidden, literary history to a much wider audience. This incredible invention, made possible by Penguin’s enthusiastic support and the work of a local vending machine company, will not only make reading more accessible to everyone who steps foot onto St Davids, but it will shine a light on how Devon has inspired so many great figures in the literary world.”

Zainab Juma, Head of Brand at Penguin

“When Exeter City of Literature approached us about the Penguin Books vending machine, we knew immediately that it was the perfect way to celebrate our origins. Whiling away your time with a book is one of the great pleasures of train travel and this machine is just what our founder Allen Lane would have wanted to see as he set off on his journey. We’re especially pleased that the vending machine will benefit Bookbag, a local independent bookstore, and Exeter City of Literature who do brilliant work celebrating Exeter’s literary history and making books and reading more accessible in the local community.”

Amanda Burns, GWR Director of Sales & Marketing

“We are proud of our long affiliation with Penguin Books, which dates back nearly 90 years. This book vending machine is a wonderful addition to Exeter St Davids station and is already proving popular with customers. Many of us love a good book to read on a relaxing railway journey to an iconic destination and this installation means you can pick up a Penguin Book just before you travel.”

The Official Launch

On Friday 21st April 2023 the Penguin Vending Machine was officially launched!

We were joined by legendary author Michael Morpurgo & his wife Clare Morpurgo: as the daughter of Penguin founder Sir Allen Lane, Clare was guest of honour and wielder of blades, cutting the ribbon to officially launch the Penguin Book Vending Machine, and ceremonially slicing the tastiest book in the world.

Clare also gave a wonderful speech, which you can read here!

Over 200 books have already made the (safe) drop*, and this bookish collab between Exeter City of Literature, Penguin Books, Great Western Railway, and Graddons Vending has even inspired new machines. Penguin are taking it on the road; first stop, Merky Books.

Huge thanks to Exeter St Davids for hosting us, super talented South West baker Bake Me Crazy, bestselling Devon author Sarah Pearse, photographer Jim Wileman, and everyone who joined us.