National Poetry Day 3 Oct 2024

National Poetry Day

Today, a lyrical wave sweeps the United Kingdom—it"s National Poetry Day. A tradition since 1994, it unites people from bustling cities to serene lochs in a celebration of verse on the first Thursday of every October. Founded by William Sieghart, this event aims to make poetry more visible and engaging. It"s a day when Prince Charles might recite Seamus Heaney, and train announcement boards become stanzas of TS Eliot and Auden. Everyday spaces transform into stages for the spoken word—a railway station or supermarket might suddenly echo with an epic. This year the special day focuses on the theme of "counting." So today, our image of Loch Morlich in Cairngorms National Park, Scotland provides the perfect backdrop for finding poetic inspiration. Why not let poetry alight upon your day?

© Arterra/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

A future built on the past
3 Oct 2023Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Islands, Australia
3 Oct 2025Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland

More Desktop Wallpapers:

30 Dec 2025Whooper swans, Kotoku Pond, Japan
26 Mar 2024Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
Good cold fun
Single file, please!
25 Oct 2024Frankenstein Friday
3 Dec 2023Advent Sunday
31 Oct 2023Halloween
5 Jun 2024World Environment Day
Sway with the Amazonian canopy
Nap your worries away
3 May 2025Happy International Astronomy Day!
Let’s have a lek, see?
6 May 2024The ruins of an ancient monastery, Skellig Michael, Ireland
An island crossroad of culture
18 Oct 2023Canary Wharf tube station, London
6 Apr 2024Japan Castle Day
Wintry Swiss bliss
9 Apr 2025Naxos, Cyclades, Greece
8 May 2025World Donkey Day
28 Jun 2024Stonewall uprising anniversary
An endless stretch of sky
20 Jul 2025Moon Day
Teeming with trout
13 Mar 2025Holi celebration in Jaipur, India
The world’s greatest oasis?
24 Aug 2024Notting Hill Carnival
Aug 24, 2023Shark Fin Cove, California
1 Feb 2026Colourful house in Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil
11 Jan 2025Heri es-Swani in Meknes, Morocco
Why is this cliffside ablaze?