National Poetry Centre

27/09/2026

Poetry Takeaways and Tombolas at BBC Contains Strong Language MediaCityUK this weekend. Did a scribe from The Poetry Takeaway create a poem just for you? And did you grab a FREE mystery poetry book in exchange for your hopes and ideas for what a new National Poetry Centre could be? What does poetry mean to you?

27/09/2026

Thank you for everyone who joined us for a weekend of poetry treats at BBC Contains Strong Language at Media City, Salford this weekend. We loved celebrating the joy of words, community and performance with all of you.

19/09/2026

18/09/2026

Less than a week to go until we celebrate poets, poetry and spoken word in Salford. Join us, and a stellar cast of poets - John Cooper Clarke, Jackie Kay, Andrew McMillan, Testament, Joelle Taylor - the list goes on. To see the full line up and book your FREE tickets, go to bbc.co.uk/containsstronglanguage

As well as the ticketed events and performances, there will be drop in activities across Media City - from Spectroscope's Deaf Time Zone, offering a range of BSL activities for all ages, to the Poetry Takeaway, serving up bespoke, original poetry on the spot. Join us and join in!

16/09/2026

The UK's largest festival of poetry and spoken word comes to Salford, 24th to 27th September. This is an exciting partnership between the BBC and the National Poetry Centre. You can view the full line up for BBC Contains Strong Language Festival at bbc.co.uk/containsstronglanguage

14/09/2026

Contains Strong Language Festival is coming to Salford for 2026.

Book your FREE tickets to see your favourite poets and discover something new.

Have a look at some of the exciting events above and browse the full line up on bbc.co.uk/containsstronglanguage

26/07/2026

Did you catch our amazing Young Laureates gracing festival stages Latitude Festival WOMAD Festival Deer Shed Festival this weekend? We are so proud of the astonishing performances these young poets, aged 8 - 14 delivered, and the brilliant poetry created in the workshops they supported. Thanks to everyone who came to see these shooting stars of the poetry world! 💫

11/06/2026

It was an absolute joy to be part of this fantastic event! We were overwhelmed by the wealth of talent on display - a huge well done to all the amazing young poets who took part, the staff that supported them and Testament Homecut for top poet tips!

Abbey Trust Inaugural Poetry Slam.
Fabulous performances and our students loved their coaching session with Writer/ Rapper/ Poet TESTAMENT.

05/06/2026

14/02/2026

What a fabulous day we had getting creative at Likkle Lit fest with Out of Many People! Our resident poets Beverley Ward and Natalie Anastasia Davies spent the day in the Art Library on the 1st Floor of Leeds Central Library, helping visitors of all ages to stick, type, draw and write beautiful collage poems.