Welcome to the Book Market 2025!
Back for a fifth year and bigger than ever, the Book Market is the most bookish place to be! This page will give you the run down of the day, and answer any questions you might have. If you've got any questions, stop by the Exeter City of Literature Info Tent at the top of the Cathedral steps!
Who can I shop with?
Bookbag (Exeter) | Design For Today (Topsham) | First Draft Books (Bovey Tracey) | Gnash Comics (Ashburton) | Graham York Rare Books (Honiton) | Maria’s Books (Exeter) | Liznojan (Tiverton) | Seven Fables (Dulverton) | The Bookery (Crediton) | The Ivybridge Bookshop (Ivybridge) | The Mint Press (Exeter) | The Old Queeriosity Shop (Plymouth) | Book on a Hook (Exeter) | Celandine Books (Wiveliscombe) | Inky Fingers (Exeter) | EmmaHen Designs (Exeter)
Plus food and drink from: Cake or Death | Sloe Bakery | Naturally Bread | Pesto | Taste of the Wild Pizza
What talks are happening in the Author Tent?
11:30am - 12:15pm | Sophie Pavelle & Fiona Williams
12:30pm - 1:15pm | Jo Neary & Rosalie Minnitt
1:30pm - 2:15pm | Sarah Underwood & Morgan Greensmith
2:30pm - 3:15pm | Aaliyah Kara & Arun Sood
3:30pm - 4pm | Leslie Leggett & Erin Allgrove
11am - 4pm | Jackie Morris - Seven Fables Stall
What activities can I try?
Get creative with Exeter Cathedral’s Riddler in Residence, Bernadette Russell
Try out a typewriter thanks to Francis Kay Vintage, paired with our Literary Dream Machine
Vist face-painting maestro Sparkly Sonia for wordy-themed face painting
Express yourself with Raw Writing's memoir writing drop in sessions
Give the Pelican Press Wheelchair Printing Press a go
Chat reading & wellbeing with a Bibliotherapy taster session
Take flight with Studio GoGo's VR Swing Sets
What is Bibliotherapy, and where do I go for a taster session?
Bibliotherapy uses books and reading to support wellbeing and understand the world around us. Thanks to our introductory course with Exeter College, you can now chat with a trained listener about your life as a reader, and maybe even come away with a book recommendation.
Head to the Bibliotherapy Information Tent - look for the yellow and pink flag! - where one of our volunteers will tell you more about the taster sessions, and show you to the Devon & Exeter Institution.
What else is happening at The Devon and Exeter Institution?
As well as hosting Bibliotherapy Taster Sessions in the Blue Room, our friends at the Institution are hosting a second-hand book sale in the Outer Library, giving you the chance to see one of the most beautiful rooms in the city. You can also meet the Devonshire Association and find out about their amazing project exploring all of Devon's UNESCO gems.
Accessibility Information
We've been working hard to make the 2025 Book Market our most accessible yet.
Static ramps will be in place on the Cathedral steps, on the left side as you face the Cathedral. Existing step-free routes around the Green will be kept clear of obstructions. The Author Tent is on the apron, with chairs for those who need them and space for wheelchairs.
The main entrance to The Devon & Exeter Institution has double doors, and is accessible for most wheelchairs and mobility scooters. There is level access to the ground-floor rooms in use during The Book Market, with lift access to the upstairs Blue Room for Bibliotherapy taster sessions.
There is an accessible lavatory on the ground floor of The Devon & Exeter Institution. There is also a baby changing unit. (The nearest Changing Places lavatory is adjacent to Lloyds Lounge on Catherine Street.)
The nearest toilets for public use at The Book Market can be found at Exeter Cathedral’s cafe, whilst the nearest baby changing facilities are available nearby in the Guildhall centre.
If sounded, the fire alarm at the Institution makes a repeated sound of two tones, and flashing lights will go off in the lavatories.
Assistance dogs are welcome in the building, and staff will be happy to provide water for your dog.
The conservatory and adjoining garden at The Devon & Exeter Institution will be a quiet reading space during the day.
Volunteers will be available during The Book Market to help you - look for the friendly folk wearing the green Exeter City of Lit t-shirts!
Transport Information
We encourage attendees to use public transport and bikes or arrive on foot wherever possible. The nearest train station to Exeter Cathedral Green is Exeter Central. Exeter Bus Station connects the city via local bus links, and there are plenty of cycle routes to get you into the city centre.
The most accessible route from a car park to the Book Market are via Guildhall Car Park (straight through the arcade past Wilko to Cathedral Yard), Mary Arches Street Car Park, or Princesshay Car Park (with notice of the cobbles at St Martins Lane when passing via Lloyds Lounge).
Photography and Filming
At The Book Market 2025 a professional photographer and videographer will be present during the day. Should you wish for any photographs or footage you appear in not to be used by Exeter City of Literature in future, please contact a member of staff at the information stalls or by emailing us at hello@exetercityofliterature.com.
Safety and Security
We want everyone to be able to enjoy The Book Market safely. There will be Security Guards on site through the day, and you can always speak to one of the Exeter City of Literature team if you see anything that concerns you. As this is an outdoor public event, we cannot guarantee the safety of your belongings, so do keep an eye on your bags and possessions.
Tell us about your Experience
Enjoyed your time at The Book Market? If you've got a few minutes to answer some questions and tell us about your visit, it helps us keep improving every year!
Support your City of Literature
Our mission is to celebrate the stories that can be found in each of us and to cultivate the love of reading for anyone. With your help, we can bring more books, more skills, and more cultural events to the people of Exeter and Devon.
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