A celebration of the power of words and stories penned by historic and emerging poets.
Throughout the autumn, Westminster Abbey will host a series of special events celebrating the words and stories of both renowned and emerging poets. The season, Voice and Verse, launches on Thursday 3rd October, National Poetry Day. The season includes special talks, tours, family events, and musical performances.
Highlights include:
Poetry readings - Portals of Discovery
An unforgettable evening of poetry, curated by Jade de Robles Rossdale and held in the iconic Poets' Corner. Details to be announced shortly.
Online Talk - Across the Pond: 6.00pm, Thursday 14th November
Featuring the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster Abbey and Canon Hawkey in conversation with speakers from St John the Divine Cathedral in New York.
Further Information: Poets' Corners Across the Pond
Lunchtime Talk – Women Poets: 1.00pm, Wednesday 9th October
Professor Helen Hackett will discuss the lives of notable poets such as Emily Brontë, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Elizabeth Russell and Margaret Cavendish.
St Margaret’s Church. Tickets £5. Further Information: Women Poets
Lunchtime Talk – First World War Poets: 1.00pm, Wednesday 13th November
Author Max Egremont will delve into the lives and legacies of poets memorialised in the Abbey.
St Margaret’s Church. Tickets £5. Further Information: First World War Poets
Music Recitals: 7.30pm, Thursday 7th and Thursday 14th November
For music lovers, recitals by the Lay Vicars will feature songs based on texts by poets commemorated in Poets' Corner, such as Geoffrey Chaucer, Alfred Tennyson, John Dryden and William Blake.Tickets £20.
Further Information: Song Recital: Journeying & Song Recital: Remembrance
Concert: 1.00pm, Wednesday 23rd October
A lunchtime concert in St Margaret’s Church celebrating the marriage of voice and verse, including both well-known music and hidden gems. Tickets £5-£10.
Further Information: Lunchtime Concert
Workshop - Strokes of Poetry: 1.30pm, Saturday 23rd November
A unique poetry workshop exploring the emotions stirred by Westminster Abbey’s memorials and monuments. Tickets £25.
Further Information: Workshop: Strokes of Poetry
Workshop – Book Binding:10.00am, Saturday 2nd November.
Discover the historic craft of book binding. Tickets £70.00.
Further Information: Workshop: Book Binding
Among other events will be Voice and Verse tours on selected Saturdays, pop up talks in Poets’ Corner, and activities for families. Throughout the season there will be sermons and music reflecting the lives and works of poets remembered in the Abbey during Sunday services.
Full listings and information: Autumn season | Westminster Abbey