Wheelsong books is based in Plymouth, in the United Kingdom. Founded by Steve Wheeler (a performance poet, musician and retired university professor) and his wife Dawn Kendal Wheeler (Teacher of English language and literature), Wheelsong was established as a not-for-profit company focused on a) raising the profile of new and unknown poets and b) raising fund for children in crisis. Wheelsong has a long partnership with Save the Children and all its profits go to this international relief organisation.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) and Northern Ireland has a rich tradition in poetry. It's one of the oldest and most influential literary traditions in the world. Spanning more than a thousand years, it reflects the history, culture, beliefs, and emotions of the British people. From the epic verses of the Anglo-Saxon era to the modern works of contemporary poets, British poetry has continually evolved while maintaining its power to inspire, entertain and provoke. To mark this long history, several prominent British poets are buried or commemorated in Westminster Abbey, at Poets' Corner (Pictured above).
The origins of British poetry can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon era, when poems were passed down orally before being written. One of the most famous examples is Beowulf, an epic poem that celebrates courage, loyalty, and heroism. During the medieval period, poets such as Geoffrey Chaucer transformed English literature through works like The Canterbury Tales. Chaucer's use of the English language instead of Latin or French made poetry more accessible to ordinary people and laid a firm foundation for future English literature.
The Renaissance marked a golden age for British poetry. During this period, William Shakespeare (the Avon 'Bard') became renowned not only for his plays but also for his sonnets, which explored themes of love, beauty, time, and mortality. Another important British poet, John Milton, wrote Paradise Lost, a masterpiece that examines the biblical story of the fall of humanity. His powerful language and complex themes continue to influence writers today.
The Romantic movement of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries brought a renewed focus on nature, imagination, and personal emotion. Poets such as William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Percy Bysshe Shelley, John Keats, and Lord Byron celebrated the beauty of the natural world and the importance of personal experience. Wordsworth held that poetry should express the feelings of ordinary people in simple language, while Keats explored beauty and the ephemeral nature of life through rich imagery and emotional language.
The Victorian era introduced the poets Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Robert Browning, whose works reflected the social changes, scientific discoveries, and moral questions of the time. Their poetry often balanced personal emotion with broader concerns about society and progress. Later, during the twentieth century, British poetry became even more diverse. Famous British Great War poets such as Siegfried Sassoon and Wilfred Owen drew attention to the brutality of conflict. Later in the century, poets including W. H. Auden, Dylan Thomas, and Ted Hughes experimented with style and form and addressed themes including war, identity, and the human condition.
British poetry continues to thrive in the modern era. Modern day UK poets write about themes such as multiculturalism, gender equality, environmental concerns, and mental health, demonstrating that poetry remains a relevant and powerful form of expression. Modern poets use both traditional forms and free verse, showing that the art continues to adapt to changing times while preserving its rich heritage.
British poets continue to make an enormous impact on world literature. Through its exploration of universal themes such as love, nature, faith, loss, and identity, British poetry has touched the lives of readers across multiple generations. The diversity of its voices and styles reflects the changing history of Britain itself. Contemporary poets such as Carol Ann Duffy, John Cooper Clarke, Roger McGough and the current UK Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage are prominent in British society. Whether through ancient epics, Romantic lyrics, or contemporary verse, or street poetry, British poetry continues to inspire readers with its beauty, depth, and timeless appeal.
Steve Wheeler
Image: Poets' Corner, Westminster Abbey used under a Creative Commons Licence
