UNESCO City of Literature

Exeter became the only UK destination in 2019 to be awarded UNESCO City of Literature status, and is now one of 66 cities internationally that have been added to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. 

Exeter was recognised for its 1,000 year unbroken history of making books and popularising reading since the early 13th century. Today there are some fantastic literary hubs across the city, such as the Quay Words project, housed at Exeter’s Custom House and supported by Literature Works, where writers and performers are encouraged to try their hand at all kinds of writing or to experience and learn from others' work. Find out more about our UNESCO City of Literature status on our City of Literature blog post, or visit the Exeter City of Literature website.

Uncover Exeter's literary heritage and culture with the Exeter Literary Map. The map was designed by a local illustrator, to showcase the city’s famous literary figures, picturesque reading spots, independent bookshops, and literary landmarks.

See the list below for literary, poetry and spoken word events in Exeter.