This listing of poetry writing groups is taken from the old Poetry Can website and some of the groups have yet to be verified.
The group names in blue are links to their online presence where you will find further information about the group.
If you run or are a member of a group that does not appear in this list, please contact Poetry Can at [email protected] with information about your group.
Joining a Poetry Writing Group
South West Poetry Writing groups
Listed alphabetically
Bath Writers' Workshop
Meets on the first and the third Saturday of every month. New members are very welcome.
Ffi: [email protected]
Blue Gate Poets
BlueGate Poets is a poetry group based in Swindon which is advancing the enjoyment and development of reading, writing and listening to poetry by encouraging local talent and voices at every level.
Bournemouth Writers Circle
Meetings are run on a less formal basis. The emphasis is on discussion and participation with the meeting dividing into smaller groups to discuss various subjects. This affords opportunities for members to express themselves and to find out the views of other members in a warm and supportive atmosphere.
Brewery Arts Writers, New Brewery Arts Centre, Cirencester
On the last Thursday of each month. Doors open 7.00pm - readings 7.30-9pm. £3 on the evening. A friendly group of writers who will be reading their work, including poetry, short stories and life writing. Share your own creative writing, chat about your ideas and inspirations with like-minded people, or just sit back and listen while you sip a glass of wine or a coffee.
Brixham Writers Club
A small, professionally-minded club whose members write for pleasure but aim to produce work which will be acceptable commercially. The emphasis is on fiction, both short stories and novels.
Circle in the Square
Company Of Poets
Cornwall Poetry Group Listing
Cotswold Writers’ Circle
Devon Community Writing Group Directory
'Devon's community directory at the click of a button'
Dillington Poetry Group
Meetings are entertaining, informal and sociable. They are held either in the Skittle Alley, or the Apple Loft Restaurant of the Helyar Arms. Membership is free and everyone is welcome, including visitors to the village and guests staying at the Helyar Arms. Meetings regularly attract 20 - 30 poetry lovers.
East Dorset Poets
East Street Poets
A welcoming group of writers who wish to improve their craft through discussion and critique.
Exmouth Writers Circle
Falmouth Poetry Group
Falmouth Poetry Group meets fortnightly for critical workshops, and acts as a discussion forum for work-in-progress. FPG endures as a dynamic and influential source of inspiration and encouragement to poets in Cornwall, and has an excellent record of achievement. Meetings are on the 2nd Monday of each month at 6:30pm in Falmouth Library. New members are welcome to come and “try it out” before joining. Please bring 10-12 copies of your poem.
Falmouth Writers Forum
The Fire River Poets group was set up in Taunton in 1988 by a small number of enthusiastic poets to serve Taunton and the surrounding area. They meet on a Wednesday evening from 7.30pm to 9.45 pm once or twice a month. The aim is to provide thoughtful, positive criticism in a supportive setting that is an honest appraisal, but also offers encouragement.
Founded on the work of Stroud Football Poets who were referred to by Radio 4 as "..the world's only known collective of football poets.." This is an online group for all football poets, lovers of football and maybe even lovers of (alternative) poetry. They are actively looking to sign more poets and will be delighted to discover unknown's in the lower leagues right on down to the school playground.
Freedom Writers
Frome Writers' Collective
A not-for-profit initiative which aims to help provide an accessible network for local writers of all genres, sharing resources, providing information about different aspects of writing and publishing, running writers' projects, events and market stalls as well as the annual Frome Small Publishers' Fair and administering their own book brand, Silver Crow Books. The Collective operates as a not-for-profit unincorporated association and is run by volunteers.
Honiton Writers’ Circle
Ilfracombe Writers’ Circle
Indian King Poets
An independent group of poets, founded in 1997, sponsored by The Arts Council of England, Southwest. Regular meetings are normally on the third Thursday of every month at Sarum College in Salisbury Cathedral Close. Non-members are welcome at all regular meetings. Less formal gatherings devoted to close textual scrutiny of new work are held on the first Monday of every month and are not open to non-members.
Mendip Writers
Moor Poets
A Dartmoor-based group of writers with the aim of encouraging creative writing in people of all abilities.
Penwith Writers Group
Plymouth Writers’ Circle
Poetry Appreciation Group - Westbury Library
Poetry Dorchester
Poole Writers’ Circle
Fortnightly meetings on Wednesday from September to June at 7.30 - 9.30 PM Poole Advice Centre 54, Lagland St Poole. Varied programme: speakers before Christmas and workshops after January. A support group with competitions and events.
Portway Writers
Salisbury Poetry Cafe
Salisbury Poetry Cafe is a forum for poets and writers to share their work in a relaxed and friendly environment, providing the opportunity for budding writers to meet people, make new friends and take part in the open mic sessions.
Scavel an Gow
Sidmouth Poetry Reading Circle
South Molton Writers
Southway Community Writers
St Austell & Fowey Poetry & Writing Circle
The Language Club
The Poetry Society of Cheltenham
Writers Meet
Yate and District Writers Group
Directory of Writers Circles South West