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 the conversation.
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.
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
31 March 2010 7:30 PM
An evening of poetry with Sally Read, Isobel Dixon and Roisin Tierney reading from their work.
The Wheatsheaf (upstairs room), 25 Rathbone Place, London W1T 1DG
An evening of poetry with Sally Read, Isobel Dixon and Roisin Tierney reading from their work.
The Wheatsheaf (upstairs room), 25 Rathbone Place, London W1T 1DG
26 July 2010 7:30 PM
An evening of poetry with Sally Read, reading from her Bloodaxe collections The Point of Splitting (2005) and Broken Sleep (2009).
Bungay Library, Wharton Street, Bungay, Suffolk
Organise a poetry reading
An evening of poetry with Sally Read, reading from her Bloodaxe collections The Point of Splitting (2005) and Broken Sleep (2009).
Bungay Library, Wharton Street, Bungay, Suffolk
By 
Tour by:Rachel Smith
Visiting the Poetry Archive feels like browsing through your favourite bookshop and finding that all the books are now talking to you!
Rachel Smith's tour
The Poetry Archive depends on donations from public bodies and private individuals. Find out how you can contribute to the work of the Archive.