When you think of Britain’s literary landscape, likely your mind goes to places like London or Edinburgh – but did you know that a UNESCO City of Literature is right here in Devon?
Exeter was awarded a UNESCO City of Literature back in 2019, but Devon’s connections with the written word go back much further than that. There’s a host of popular books set in or written in Devon, from epic romances to jaw-dropping mysteries and just about everything in between. Bibliophiles will already be aware of how the wilds of Dartmoor inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Hound of the Baskervilles and how the Queen of Crime herself, Agatha Christie once roamed the streets of Torquay. Did you know though that Devon’s literary connections are celebrated across the county, particularly in the month of September?
This month you can enjoy:
Agatha Christie Festival
7th – 15th September, Torre Abbey, Torquay
This annual festival is a celebration of Agatha Christie, the Queen of Crime. Christie was born in Torquay and set many of her novels in and around South Devon, getting inspiration from her own life. Torre Abbey in particular is a great setting for the festival, as it is home to a poison plant garden dedicated to her.
Places to stay
Appledore Book Festival
13th – 22nd September, venues across Appledore
As one of Devon’s best known literary festivals, Appledore’s book festival attracts guests and visitors from the world over. This year’s line up includes Clare Balding, Amanda Prowse, Libby Page, Judy Murray, Susie Dent, Jeremy Vine and more.
Being based in Appledore gives you easy access to the area of Exmoor, which was once home to several of the romantic poets, including Percy Shelley and William Wordsworth.
Places to stay
Budleigh Salterton Literature Festival
18th – 22nd September, venues across Budleigh Salterton
This year’s Budleigh Salterton Literature Festival has a full line up including Rev Richard Coles, Russell Watson, Clare Chambers, Philippa Langley and more. What makes this festival even more special (apart from the beautiful views), is its association with the late Dame Hilary Mantel. The author of Wolf Hall was the Festival’s president and lived in the town for many years, the festival still pays tribute to her and you’ll find plenty of references to her work during your visit.
Places to stay
Tiverton Book Festival
25th – 29th September, venues across Tiverton
After a 6 year gap, the Tiverton Book Festival is back for 2024. This year’s programme includes top authors including Kate Mosse, Lucy Holland, Robin Ince and more. Originally known as the Tiverton Literary Festival, the festival is organised by a group of dedicated volunteers.
Places to stay
We’ve already mentioned Hounds of the Baskervilles and of course, Agatha Christie, but that’s not where Devon’s literary connections end.
Dartmoor also inspired Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse, Morpurgo lives in Devon and wrote the book after meeting former soldiers while in his local pub. At the other end of the county, Exmoor was also a great source of inspiration, Tarka the Otter by Henry Williamson is set around Bideford and Barnstaple and can today be traced by following the Tarka Trail, while the town of Westward Ho! owes its name to Charles Kingsley, a writer who lived in Bideford. He wrote the book Westward Ho!, which is set in the area, prior to the village being established. Exmoor proper is the inspiration behind Lorna Doone by Richard Dodderidge Blackmore, an epic romance that follows the lives of the Doone family.
Rudyard Kipling, the author of the Jungle Book, went to school in Devon and one of his favourite walks now features his name, while Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath resided in the county for a time. They lived in North Devon, but there is a memorial stone to Hughes on Dartmoor. Samuel Taylor Coleridge was born in the town of Ottery St Mary, which incidentally inspired the name of the Weasley’s home in a certain saga about a boy wizard and Charles Dickens has many links to Exeter. He spent many years in the city while working as a reporter and completed several of his novels there. He even rented a cottage just outside the city for his parents.
Exeter is also said to be the home of Penguin, the publishing house. Today, while travelling through Exeter St David’s station, you’ll find a Penguin vending machine full of novels to help you while away the hours on your journey.
Will you be visiting any of Devon’s literary festivals this month?
