Exeter's literary heritage goes global with new UNESCO digital rail trails

Exeter and Devon’s rich storytelling heritage has been given an international platform following the launch of a new digital trails initiative.

The Explore UNESCO South West Trails platform, launched by UNESCO UK in partnership with Great Western Railway (GWR), offers visitors a sustainable way to discover the cultural and natural heritage of the South West.

Exeter’s UNESCO City of Literature designation, awarded in 2019, forms one of the initiative's central trails.

'A special way to experience our landscape'

Anna Cohn Orchard, Executive Director of Exeter City of Literature, said the trail offered visitors "a special way to experience our literary landscape and storytelling heritage, and to see why this region has inspired so many for so long."

She added that it was a "pleasure to collaborate with our UNESCO UK partners in the South West and with GWR to invite visitors into Exeter and Devon's story-filled landscape."

Exeter City of Literature is a charity established to steward the city's UNESCO Creative City designation. It sits within a global network of 63 UNESCO Cities of Literature and works to connect Devon residents with international collaborators.

Connecting heritage by rail

GWR is encouraging visitors to reach the trails by train, highlighting the accessibility of the region's "world-class destinations." The initiative focuses on connecting passengers through Exeter’s three key rail hubs:

• Exeter St Davids

• Exeter Central

• Exeter St Thomas

Ruth Powell, GWR Regional Partnerships Manager, said the railway was proud to help customers "connect with some of the South West's most internationally-celebrated landscapes and cultural sites by train."

Global recognition, local impact

The initiative is supported by the UK National Commission for UNESCO through its Local to Global programme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Nushin Hussain, Project Implementation Manager at the UK National Commission for UNESCO, said the project was a "fantastic example of how partnership working can bring together some of the region's most significant heritage sites" for both local communities and visitors.

The digital trails are now live, allowing travellers to explore Devon's literary history as soon as they step off the platform.