Exeter is small. Honestly, if you blink while driving down the M5, you might miss the turn-off for the heart of the Southwest. But in 2019, this cathedral city joined a global elite, snagging the title of a UNESCO City of Literature in Devon. It wasn't just a vanity project or a shiny badge for the tourism board. It was a recognition of a thousand years of scribbling, hoarding books, and telling stories that actually shaped the way we think about the English language.
Most people think of UNESCO sites and imagine crumbling ruins or sprawling national parks. This is different. Being a City of Literature is about a living, breathing pulse of creativity. It’s about the fact that Exeter has been a hub for readers and writers since the Anglo-Saxon era.
You’ve got the high-brow stuff, sure. But there’s also a gritty, grassroots energy here that most outsiders don't expect from a "sleepy" Devon town.
The 1,000-Year-Old Book You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Let’s talk about the Exeter Book. This isn’t some dusty Victorian novel. It’s a 10th-century anthology of Anglo-Saxon poetry, and it's basically the reason Exeter got the UNESCO nod in the first place. It lives in the Exeter Cathedral Library, and it is—no joke—one of the four most important manuscripts of Old English poetry in existence.
Inside, you find riddles. Some are clever; others are surprisingly dirty. It shows that people a millennium ago weren't just praying and farming; they were obsessed with wordplay. This manuscript survived fires, neglect, and even supposedly being used as a cutting board at one point. It’s a miracle it exists.
The fact that a UNESCO City of Literature in Devon holds such a foundational piece of English history is a big deal. When researchers like those at the University of Exeter talk about the "literary DNA" of the region, they aren't being hyperbolic. It literally starts here.
It’s Not Just About History: The Modern Scene
If the Exeter Book is the foundation, the modern scene is the messy, vibrant house built on top of it. You can't talk about literature here without mentioning the heavy hitters who have passed through.
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J.K. Rowling studied at the University of Exeter. You can see the influence of the city’s medieval alleys and the vaulted ceilings of the Cathedral in the DNA of Hogwarts. Then there’s Sir Terry Pratchett, who famously donated his archives to the University. The "Pratchett Project" isn't just a fan club; it’s a serious academic endeavor looking at how his work impacted global culture.
But don't make the mistake of thinking it’s all about famous alumni.
The real magic happens in places like Bookbag on Fore Street. It’s an independent bookshop that feels more like a community center. They host events that range from obscure poetry readings to deep dives into local folklore. Then you have the Exeter Custom House, which serves as a literal hub for the City of Literature organization. It’s a gorgeous building on the quay where they host writers-in-residence and workshops. It makes the "literary" tag feel accessible, not elitist.
Why the UNESCO Status Actually Matters for Devon
Some critics—and there are always critics—ask what a UNESCO title actually does. Does it pay the bills? Does it fix the potholes on the A38?
No. But what it does do is provide a framework for international collaboration. Exeter isn't just a city in Devon anymore; it’s part of a network that includes Edinburgh, Prague, Melbourne, and Baghdad.
This means local writers get opportunities to showcase their work on a global stage. It means cultural funding that wouldn't otherwise exist. Since 2019, we've seen a surge in literacy programs and public art installations that use text to tell the city's story.
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Take the "LIT" trail, for example. It’s a way to walk through the city and engage with its history through a literary lens. You realize that the stones of the city are practically soaked in ink. From the poets of the Romantic era to modern-day slam poets, the continuity is staggering.
The University’s Heavy Lifting
We have to mention the University of Exeter. You can’t separate the "City of Literature" status from the academic powerhouse on the hill. The Special Collections at the Old Library are a goldmine. We're talking about the papers of Ted Hughes, Agatha Christie (who was born just down the road in Torquay), and William Golding.
They don't just sit in a vault.
Researchers use these archives to understand the creative process. If you’re a student or a local history buff, having access to the original drafts of Lord of the Flies authors or the personal letters of Sylvia Plath is mind-blowing. It grounds the abstract concept of "literature" in the reality of ink on paper and coffee-stained margins.
Hidden Gems for the Bibliophile
If you’re visiting or if you live here and want to soak up the vibe of a UNESCO City of Literature in Devon, skip the big chains for a day.
Go to the Exeter Central Library. It might look like a standard library from the outside, but it’s one of the busiest in the country. It houses the "Devon Centre," which is essentially a love letter to local history and genealogy.
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Then, head to the Quay. Sit by the water near the Custom House. This area was once the heart of the city’s trade, and now it’s the heart of its cultural output. There’s a certain stillness there that’s perfect for reading.
- The Quay: Great for quiet reflection and indie book stalls.
- Fore Street: The home of quirky, independent spirits.
- The Cathedral Green: Where you can sit under ancient trees and imagine the scribes of the 10th century looking out at the same view.
Addressing the "Stuffy" Stereotype
Is it all high-brow and boring? Honestly, no.
The City of Literature team works hard to make sure "literature" includes things like zines, graphic novels, and digital storytelling. They’ve run projects involving "Bibliotherapy," using reading to help with mental health. They’ve brought poetry into the streets through "Poetry Postboxes."
It’s about democratization. It’s about the idea that everyone has a story, whether you’re a professor at the university or someone just trying to get by. That’s the real "human" element of the UNESCO status. It’s not a museum; it’s a toolkit for the community.
How to Engage with Exeter’s Literary Scene
If you want to actually experience what this means, don't just read a plaque.
- Check the Calendar: The Exeter City of Literature website always has a list of "What’s On." It could be a workshop on nature writing or a talk by a Booker Prize winner.
- Visit the Custom House: It’s the physical manifestation of the UNESCO status. Go inside, talk to the people there, and see what’s being created.
- Support Indie: Buy your books from local shops. A City of Literature only survives if its literary businesses survive.
- Write Something: The whole point is to keep the tradition going. Join a local writing group or just sit in a cafe on Gandy Street—which supposedly inspired Diagon Alley—and jot down some thoughts.
The designation of Exeter as a UNESCO City of Literature in Devon isn't an end point. It’s a starting gun. It’s an invitation to recognize that stories are the most valuable export this part of the world has ever produced. Whether it’s an Anglo-Saxon riddle or a modern-day tweet, the thread remains unbroken.
Practical Next Steps
For those looking to dive deeper into the literary landscape of the Southwest, your first stop should be the Exeter Custom House on the Quay to pick up a map of the literary trails. Following that, carve out an afternoon for the Cathedral Library (check opening times in advance as they are limited) to see the facsimile of the Exeter Book. To support the living culture, attend one of the monthly "Phonic Hoop" spoken word nights or visit Bookbag to see what local authors are currently being championed. If you are a researcher or a serious fan of 20th-century greats, book a slot at the University of Exeter Special Collections to see the physical archives of the region’s most famous writers.