We British: As It Happened
Andrew Marr took over Radio 4's schedule on National Poetry Day to tell the story of Britain through poems. Here's what happened...
Radio 4's new Poet in Residence
The day kicked off with the announcement that Daljit Nagra has been appointed as BBC Radio 4's first poet in residence.
Daljit Nagra "British poetry needs to celebrate it's minority ethnics"
BBC Radio 4's new Poet in Residence said spoken word is as relevant today as it ever was.
Foundation Stones
Britain's poetic journey begins with one of the greatest medieval poems written on these islands, read here in original middle-English.
Kaiti Soultana reads Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
National Poetry by Heart winner Kaiti Soultana reads Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Prince Charles surprised us all with a romantic reading...
Prince Charles reads A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns
Prince Charles reads A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns on National Poetry Day.
The Rise of England
Black Country poet Liz Berry reclaims Shakespeare for the Midlands with Sonnet 18 - 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?'
Liz Berry reads Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare
Poet Liz Berry reads William Shakespeare's Sonnet 18.
Speaking of the Midlands, here's Toby Campion's modern take on being England's middle-child, which features in our excellent Spoken Word Sessions.
Toby Campion: From The Midlands
Spoken word session: Toby Campion performs From The Midlands.
The People’s Shipping Forecast
Murray Lachlan Young’s poetic take on the Shipping Forecast (using the rhythms, key words and phrases associated with Radio 4's favourite daily poem) inspired hundreds of listeners to write in with their own submissions for The People’s Shipping Forecast.
Murray Lachlan Young’s Shipping Forecast
Murray Lachlan Young performs his own poetic take on the Shipping Forecast.
Using the observations that were sent in to Radio 4 HQ, Murray went on to create The People's Shipping Forecast. It was broadcast live at 18:29!
The People's Shipping Forecast
Murray Lachlan Young performs The People's Shipping Forecast on National Poetry Day.
We were even sent this beautiful linocut by listener Sally Castle, who says: "the words that are like a mantra to me."
Spoken word sessions
It's not only on-air where the story is being told. Young poets from across the UK feature in our spoken word sessions, which give a snapshot of what it's like to live in Britain today. Watch the videos now.
Kate Tempest: School
Spoken word session: Kate Tempest performs School.
Testament: London (Blake Remixed)
Spoken word session: Testament performs London from Blake Remixed.
Vanessa Kisuule: The Skies Are Grey with Remorse
Spoken word session: Vanessa Kisuule performs The Skies Are Grey with Remorse.
Things Fall Apart
After the Tudor age came a period of turbulence, which produced some of Britain's finest poetry. From the sacred...
Simon Russell Beale reads Batter my heart by John Donne
Actor Simon Russell Beale reads John Donne's Batter my heart on National Poetry Day.
... to the profane.
Barrie Rutter reads To His Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell
Actor Barrie Rutter reads Andrew Marvell's To His Coy Mistress on National Poetry Day.
Meanwhile, in Ambridge...
Archers actors read Thomas Gray's 'Elegy' for BBC Radio 4.
On National Poetry Day, The Archers cast read 'Elegy Written In A Country Churchyard'.
The Victorians
The Victorians were a confident bunch, but also terribly anxious. Sir Ian McKellen captures the mood of the time with a performance of Housman's reaction to the trial of Oscar Wilde.
Sir Ian McKellen reads Oh Who Is That Young Sinner by A. E. Housman
Sir Ian McKellen reads A. E. Housman's Oh Who Is That Young Sinner.
20th-Century Jukebox
The 20th-Century arrives, and so does this wonderful performance from Kate Tempest.
Kate Tempest: Ballad of a Hero
Spoken word session: Kate Tempest performs Ballad of a Hero.
On such an epic day of poetry, it's only fitting that Graham Norton performs a work of the same name.
Graham Norton reads Epic by Patrick Kavanagh
Graham Norton reads Patrick Kavanagh's Epic for National Poetry Day.
Explore your poetic side
-
![]()
Spoken Word Sessions
We British spoken word sessions featuring Kate Tempest, Testament and Toby Campion.
-
![]()
Dylan Thomas vs. Bob Dylan Quiz
Can you tell which wise words came from which Dylan?
-
![]()
The People's Shipping Forecast
Murray Lachlan Young performs The People's Shipping Forecast.
-
![]()
Meet the artist
Illustrator Alison Sampson on the inspiration behind the We British design.
