The Poetry Archive is a treasure-trove of English-language poets reading their own work. Some are historic recordings, some have been made specially for the Archive - which means its range is the widest possible: from Tennyson at the end of the c19, through poets such as Allen Ginsberg and Langston Hughes in the middle of the c20, to contemporary poets including Seamus Heaney, Ruth Padel and Kathleen Jamie. On this page, you'll find information about who to look for in the Archive, and how to find them, as well as information about how to discover - by theme or region or guided tour - poets whose work you may not yet know.
The Poetry Archive is a treasure-trove of English-language poets reading their own work. Some are historic recordings, some have been made specially for the Archive - which means its range is the widest possible: from Tennyson at the end of the c19, through poets such as Allen Ginsberg and Langston Hughes in the middle of the c20, to contemporary poets including Seamus Heaney, Ruth Padel and Kathleen Jamie. On this page, you'll find information about who to look for in the Archive, and how to find them, as well as information about how to discover - by theme or region or guided tour - poets whose work you may not yet know.
Each term a different poet is in residence here, talking about poetry with anyone who wants to join in the conversation. You are welcome to explore our archive of past residencies and read some of the lively and varied discussions you'll find there.
This part of the Archive is full of poems chosen specially for children. Meet old favourites and make new discoveries.
U.K. Region
- East
- East Midlands
- London
- North East
- Northern Ireland
- North West
- Scotland
- South East
- South West
- Wales
- West Midlands
- Yorkshire
U.S.A.
New Zealand
Australia
Rest of the World
Join Jackie Kay as she reveals the musical influences on her award-winning poetry, and passes on some of her tips for helping you put pen to paper.
View all interviews
26 May 2013 7:30 PM
Sylvia Plath's Ariel at the Southbank. Sylvia Plath died 50 years ago leaving a black binder of poems that was to become her final, posthumously published collection, Ariel. Now 40 leading female poets and performers read one poem each from the restored edition of the final unedited manuscript in an evening introduced by Plath's daughter, Frieda Hughes. Readers include: Emily Berry, Lily Bevan, Samantha Bond, Emily Bruni, Anna Chancellor, Gillian Clarke, Julia Copus, Imtiaz Dharker, Ruth Fainlight, Kate Fahy, Vicki Feaver, Siobhan Redmond, Miranda Richardson, Jo Shapcott, Jean Sprackland, Juliet Stevenson, Harriet Walter, and Susan Wooldridge, amongst others. 'In these poems… Sylvia Plath becomes herself, becomes something imaginary, newly, wildly and subtly created.' (Robert Lowell). Tickets £25/£20/£15/£10. For more information or to book visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson or call 020 7960 4200.
Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
Sylvia Plath's Ariel at the Southbank. Sylvia Plath died 50 years ago leaving a black binder of poems that was to become her final, posthumously published collection, Ariel. Now 40 leading female poets and performers read one poem each from the restored edition of the final unedited manuscript in an evening introduced by Plath's daughter, Frieda Hughes. Readers include: Emily Berry, Lily Bevan, Samantha Bond, Emily Bruni, Anna Chancellor, Gillian Clarke, Julia Copus, Imtiaz Dharker, Ruth Fainlight, Kate Fahy, Vicki Feaver, Siobhan Redmond, Miranda Richardson, Jo Shapcott, Jean Sprackland, Juliet Stevenson, Harriet Walter, and Susan Wooldridge, amongst others. 'In these poems… Sylvia Plath becomes herself, becomes something imaginary, newly, wildly and subtly created.' (Robert Lowell). Tickets £25/£20/£15/£10. For more information or to book visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson or call 020 7960 4200.
Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
11 June 2013 7:00 PM
Writers Talk at London Zoo - Helen Dunmore on the Sumatran Tiger. ZSL conservation scientists and keepers team up with leading writers to talk about the animals in ZSL London Zoo. Alongside the animals, the writers speak imaginatively about their responses to them and ZSL’s experts talk about their ecology and conservation. The audience will be able to ask questions of author, scientist and keeper and have books signed over a glass of wine. These unique evenings will be held within the animal houses of London Zoo. Tickets £12. For more information or to book visit http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/whats-on or call 0844 225 1826.
London Zoo, Outer Circle, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY
Organise a poetry reading
Writers Talk at London Zoo - Helen Dunmore on the Sumatran Tiger. ZSL conservation scientists and keepers team up with leading writers to talk about the animals in ZSL London Zoo. Alongside the animals, the writers speak imaginatively about their responses to them and ZSL’s experts talk about their ecology and conservation. The audience will be able to ask questions of author, scientist and keeper and have books signed over a glass of wine. These unique evenings will be held within the animal houses of London Zoo. Tickets £12. For more information or to book visit http://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/whats-on or call 0844 225 1826.
London Zoo, Outer Circle, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY
My Archive
Create lists of your favourite poems and poets and share them with friends.
By 
Tour by:Chris Pearson
When choosing poems for my tour, I had just one criterion in mind: that each poem must allow me to comment on the quality of the spoken word (after all, that is what makes the Archive such a brilliant resource). Consequently, I have ended up with an interesting and engaging (if not odd) collection of poems and not one that I would have imagined collating from the outset.
Chris Pearson's tour
- Andrew Motion
- Jean Sprackland
- Monica Ali
- Stephen Fry
- Dr Rowan Williams
- Stephanie Anderson
- Clive James
- Helen Gray
- Rachel Smith
- David Almond
- Connie Ruzich
- Sarah Tremlett
- Catherine Olver
- Sherrie Talgeri
- Mark Grist
- Robert Cole
- Rachel Redford
- Roger Stevens
- Julia Copus
- Frank Cottrell Boyce
- Danielle McShine
The Poetry Archive depends on donations from public bodies and private individuals. Find out how you can contribute to the work of the Archive.