The Poetry Society

The Poetry Society The Poetry Society is one of Britain's most dynamic arts organisations, representing British poetry both nationally and internationally. Sir Andrew Motion
(269)

www.poetrysociety.org.uk The Poetry Society was founded in 1909 to 'promote "a more general recognition and appreciation of poetry". Since then, it has grown into one of Britain's most dynamic arts organisations, representing British poetry both nationally and internationally. Today it has more than 5,000 members worldwide and publishes the leading poetry magazine, The Poetry Review. With innovative education and commissioning programmes and a packed calendar of performances, readings and competitions, the Poetry Society champions poetry for all ages. As well as the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award, the Poetry Society runs the National Poetry Competition, one of the world's longest-running and most prestigious prizes for an individual poem, and the Ted Hughes Award for New Work in Poetry - the prize founded by Carol Ann Duffy from her honorarium as Poet Laureate. "The Poetry Society is the heart and hands of poetry in the UK - a centre which pours out energy to all parts of the poetry-body, and a dexterous set of operations which arrange and organise poetry's various manifestations. It has a long distinguished history, and has never been so vital, or so vitalizing as it is now."

Calling all young poets in the West Midlands! Come along to our next Young Poets Takeover on Sunday 11 October 🎤 Book yo...
11/09/2026

Calling all young poets in the West Midlands! Come along to our next Young Poets Takeover on Sunday 11 October 🎤 Book your space at https://www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org/book-tickets/

The Poetry Society’s Young Poets Takeovers are a space for up-and-coming young poets and performers to meet one another and share their work on stage.

This Takeover is open to poets aged 25 and under, and will feature headline sets from Birmingham-based British Pakistani poet Hala Qamar and Coventry’s Foyle Young Poet Scarlett Timlett.

If you’re aged 25 or younger, we want to hear from you, too! Bring a poem and arrive early to sign up for our open mic. And join the community! We invite you to stay on afterwards for free refreshments and a chance to meet other young poetry lovers and find out more about Young Poets Network!

We’re excited to be a part of 's programme – a FREE creative arts programme for London’s state primary schools and SEN...
10/09/2026

We’re excited to be a part of 's programme – a FREE creative arts programme for London’s state primary schools and SEND settings.

In its final year, Primary Arts consists of a menu of opportunities offering free access to high quality, inspiring cultural and creative opportunities for your pupils and staff, from in-school performances and free tickets for trips to arts events for your classes, to free training opportunities and creative activities for your staff.

The Poetry Society will be delivering Poetry Presto! The Magic of Words, an exciting live poetry offer for KS1, KS2 and SEND pupils, as part of the In-Schools Touring strand.

➡️ Learn more about Primary Arts: bit.ly/primary-arts

Tomorrow! Join poet John Hegley and musician Julia Doyle at The Poetry Cafe for an evening filled with poetry, music, ca...
09/09/2026

Tomorrow! Join poet John Hegley and musician Julia Doyle at The Poetry Cafe for an evening filled with poetry, music, camels and Keats. But strictly no biscuits!
Thurs 10 September, 7.30-9.15pm, The Poetry Cafe, London WC2H 9BX
Tickets at poetrysociety.org.uk/events (link in bio)

🎤 Tickets are now available for our next open mic! Come along to The Poetry Cafe for our event, hosted by award-winning ...
07/09/2026

🎤 Tickets are now available for our next open mic! Come along to The Poetry Cafe for our event, hosted by award-winning writer Toby Campion. Don't miss the opportunity to share your work at our iconic London venue. More information + tickets available at the link in our bio.

Got any plans for National Poetry Day? We're celebrating with a free online Young Poets Network spectacular, featuring a...
04/09/2026

Got any plans for National Poetry Day? We're celebrating with a free online Young Poets Network spectacular, featuring a writing workshop and Young Poets Takeover double bill. You'll write poems together and hear headline slots from recent YPN challenge winners. Plus: open mic slots galore!

🔗 Sign up at the link in our bio.

Absolutely anyone worldwide aged 14-25 can sign up for an open mic slot to share their work on National Poetry Day’s theme, Wonder, for up to two minutes.

We are pushing young voices to the fore – so if you want to hear from the up-and-coming stars of the poetry world, come along!

Teachers! Book your school's National Poetry Day visit by filling in the Poets in Schools enquiry form and emailing it t...
02/09/2026

Teachers! Book your school's National Poetry Day visit by filling in the Poets in Schools enquiry form and emailing it to our education team: bit.ly/PoetsInSchools

Poets in Schools is The Poetry Society’s service for educators looking to bring a facilitator into their school to deliver poetry workshops and assemblies. We have been placing poets in schools for over 50 years.

Photo: E Aydin-Barberini for

Join poet John Hegley and musician Julia Doyle for an evening of poetry and music at the Poetry Cafe on Thurs 10 Septemb...
01/09/2026

Join poet John Hegley and musician Julia Doyle for an evening of poetry and music at the Poetry Cafe on Thurs 10 September, inspired by Keats (and possibly camels). Tickets at poetrysociety.org.uk/events (link in bio)

A playful, thoughtful, musical, eventful evening, which will include new pieces inspired by John Keats's letters by the former poet in residence at his house, alongside items about work in education, being educated, being in love, Edvard Munch and the violin teacher's very dirty spectacles.

John Hegley and Julia Doyle have enmeshed together for decades and the Poetry Café's intimacy gives a rare chance of direct acoustic access to Julia's beautiful bassiness. Singing along to the verses is optional; emotional participation, less so. No biscuits.

There will be a fifteen-minute interval partway through the performance.

Calling all young poets aged 14-25! Come along to our free online writing workshop this Friday 🐝 🪻 In this workshop, you...
26/08/2026

Calling all young poets aged 14-25! Come along to our free online writing workshop this Friday 🐝 🪻

In this workshop, you’ll be guided through prompts to inspire your entry to The Blossom and Buzz Challenge on Young Poets Network, set and judged by Foyle Young Poet Nikki Kothapalli. You don’t need any previous experience to take part!

After the workshop, we encourage you to keep editing your work and submit it to the challenge, which is free to enter.

This workshop will be recorded & copies of the recording will be available after the workshop has taken place. Email queries to [email protected].

Anyone aged 14-25 is welcome to join, regardless of how much experience they might have with poetry. Sign up at bit.ly/BugsWorkshop (linked in our bio).

Are you a Poetry Society member who is also part of a Stanza?The Stanza Poetry Competition closes for entries at 11.59 p...
26/08/2026

Are you a Poetry Society member who is also part of a Stanza?

The Stanza Poetry Competition closes for entries at 11.59 pm BST this Sunday (30th August)! Send us upto two unpublished poems on the theme of 'Wonder', no longer than forty lines. We're delighted to have Maya C. Popa as our judge this year.

Winners will be announced on National Poetry Day (1 October 2026).

Enter here: poetrysociety.org.uk/membership/poetry-society-stanzas/competition/

Last chance to book for our family-friendly workshop this Saturday at the Poetry Cafe! Join John Hegley for a fun couple...
19/08/2026

Last chance to book for our family-friendly workshop this Saturday at the Poetry Cafe! Join John Hegley for a fun couple of hours writing and drawing. All ages welcome! Biscuits provided! Book at https://poetrysociety.org.uk/event/writing-and-drawing-camels-and-other-animals/
John says: "A workshop for people who have been seven years old.
There is no need to feel burdened by the camel-drawing;
you are only asked to draw a leg of the beast
alongside whole fishes and cats
with your bits of writing alongside,
alongside thoughts about things
for which you are grateful.
Includes mandolin accompaniment
and optional sharing."

Address

22 Betterton Street
London
WC2H9BX

Telephone

+442074209881

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Poetry Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to The Poetry Society:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share