A Poetic Heritage

Ledbury Poetry House is the home of Ledbury Poetry, who organise the annual international Ledbury Poetry Festival, the UKs biggest poetry festival, now in it's 28th year. This November, a new Winter Words Weekend festival will also be launched. Alongside the festivals, a programme of year-round poetry and arts events and activities take place in the historic (Elizabeth) Barrett Browning Institute in the heart of the market town of Ledbury in Herefordshire. The clocktower building was named after the nineteenth century poet who lived nearby. It has a long history as a reading room, library and meeting space. The Institute had been partially disused until 2021 when Ledbury Poetry moved in to give the charity a base, and live out the 1897 founding vision for the building to support ‘the advancement of knowledge, literature, science and art’.

For Heritage Open Days, Ledbury Poetry are offering the opportunity to explore the building and its past, and be part of reimagining what it can be for Ledbury in the future. Open Tue-Thu 1000-1700, and Fri-Sat 1100-1500, with short tours of the building on Fri and Sat 1400-1500 enabling you to see areas usually behind the scenes. Bring any photos or memories you have of the Institute to share.
Tours are free but booking is essential via ledburypoetry.org.uk

Timings & Tours

Friday 12 September:

Open: 1100-1500. Tour: 1400

Saturday 13 September:

Open: 1100-1500. Tour: 1400

Tuesday 16 September:

Open: 1000-1700

Wednesday 17 September:

Open: 1000-1700

Thursday 18 September:

Open: 1000-1700

Friday 19 September:

Open: 1100-1500. Tour: 1400

Saturday 20 September:

Open: 1100-1500. Tour: 1400

Location & directions

Barrett Browning Institute, Bye Street, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 2AA

Directions:

What 3 words: ///lined.bristle.tweezers

Telephone number:

+441531636232

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking preferred

Booking conditions:

Book your tour place in advance via ledburypoetry.org.uk

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

https://ledburypoetry.org.uk/home/whats-on/

Booking opens:

03 Sep 2025 12:00 PM

Accessibility details

There is level access to the ground floor rooms, but no lift to the upper floors. The toilet is on the ground floor. There are 36 stairs to the top floor.

Additional information

Max no of people per tour:

15

Est. tour duration:

1 hour(s)

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