Devon

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nbsp-budleigh-literary-festival-budleigh-salterton-weds-17-sun-21-sept">&nbsp;<a href="https://budlitfest.org.uk/">Budleigh Literary Festival</a>, Budleigh Salterton, Weds 17 &#8211; Sun 21 Sept </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="708" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/09/helen-lederer.jpg" alt="Helen Lederer " class="wp-image-78794" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/09/helen-lederer.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/09/helen-lederer-800x566.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/09/helen-lederer-768x544.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit Helen Lederer </figcaption></figure>



The coast-based book fest is back with a vibrant programme of more than 50 events, with their 2025 theme,&nbsp;Hidden Stories, placing the spotlight on untold tales and unheard voices. Headliners include comedians Alan Davies, Helen Lederer&nbsp;and&nbsp;Al Murray; historian and bestselling author&nbsp;Tracy Borman, broadcaster and film critic&nbsp;Mark Kermode; actor and writer&nbsp;Larry Lamb; political commentator&nbsp;Gabriel Gatehouse; journalist and writer&nbsp;Arifa Akbar; author&nbsp;Rachel Joyce&nbsp;(The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry) and comedian and science writer&nbsp;Robin Ince. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1535" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/listofsuspiciousthings.jpg" alt="book cover of The List of Suspcious Things by Jennie Godfrey " class="wp-image-78790" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/listofsuspiciousthings.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/listofsuspiciousthings-521x800.jpg 521w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/listofsuspiciousthings-651x1000.jpg 651w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/listofsuspiciousthings-768x1179.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Open each day, the Marquee on the Green is a hub for free live music and new for 2025, topnotch festival platters and suppers from local caterer Pickleshack &#8211; you can pre-book <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/festival-platters-at-budleigh-salterton-literary-festival-tickets-1389518229429?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&amp;_gl=1*fwu0dy*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTg2MjE1OTEuMTc1NjIwNDA2Mw..*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3NTYyMDQwNjIkbzEkZzAkdDE3NTYyMDQwNjIkajYwJGwwJGgw" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>. Make a note: the 2025 Festival Read (Weds 17 Sept) is The Sunday Times bestseller, The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey (£8 inc a glass of wine). Get your nose in the book and head along with your questions for Jennie!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-international-agatha-christie-festival-sat-13-sun-21-sept"><a href="https://www.iacf-uk.org">International Agatha Christie Festival</a>, Sat 13 &#8211; Sun 21 Sept </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/swinging-christies.jpg" alt="Agatha Christie image The Swinging Christies " class="wp-image-78801" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/swinging-christies.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/swinging-christies-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/swinging-christies-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/swinging-christies-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/swinging-christies-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit The Swinging Christies </figcaption></figure>



Adopt your best Poirot moue! Devon&#8217;s annual tribute to the Queen of Crime brings a five-day Fringe Festival followed by a four-day Literary Festival at Torre Abbey&#8217;s Spanish Barn. If you fancy dressing up 1920s style, join the Tuesday parade which starts at 10am from Torquay&#8217;s new Agatha Christie bench to Pier Point which everyone can dress up for and join in for free. Other highlights include authors Lucy Foley and Sophie Hannah, interviewed by publishing director for the Christie estate at Harper Collins, David Brawn, about continuing Agatha Christie’s two iconic detectives. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="522" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/the-darknesa.jpg" alt="The Darkness Channel 4" class="wp-image-78850" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/the-darknesa.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/the-darknesa-800x418.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/the-darknesa-768x401.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Darkness / Channel 4</figcaption></figure>



You can join interviews with Broadchurch screenwriter, Chris Chibnall, bestselling Devon-based author, Victoria Dowd, and Ragnar Jónasson, Nordic crime author of C4&#8217;s The Darkness. Fun events include a glamorous Ball, dinner and big band at The Grand Hotel, The Lunchtime Murder Club and Super Panel discussion with Janice Hallett, Vaseem Khan and Steph McGovern. Plus, Dr Mark Aldridge (Agatha Christie&#8217;s Marple: Expert on Wickedness) and Gray Robert Brown will be making their first ever live recording of hit podcast&nbsp;The Swinging Christies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-appledore-book-festival-fri-12-sun-21-sept"><a href="https://www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk">Appledore Book Festival,</a> Fri 12 &#8211; Sun 21 Sept</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1250" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/ROSE-AYLING-ELLIS-3-scaled-1.jpg" alt="Rose Ayling-Ellis " class="wp-image-78829" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/ROSE-AYLING-ELLIS-3-scaled-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/ROSE-AYLING-ELLIS-3-scaled-1-640x800.jpg 640w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/ROSE-AYLING-ELLIS-3-scaled-1-800x1000.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/ROSE-AYLING-ELLIS-3-scaled-1-768x960.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit Rose Ayling-Ellis / The Artists Partnership </figcaption></figure>



North Devon&#8217;s cultural shindig brings over 100 events across ten days, from author talks to storytelling and events in local schools. There&#8217;s a free Family Fun Day (Sat 13 Sept), foodie events at The Champ and The Burton, a popular Behind the Scenes at the Appledore Fish Dock, and a special offer for book groups &#8211; buy six tickets and get one free. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="525" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/appledore-2025-1000x525.jpg" alt="Book reads for Appledore Book Festival 2025" class="wp-image-78833" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/appledore-2025-1000x525.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/appledore-2025-800x420.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/appledore-2025-768x403.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/appledore-2025.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Highlights include headliner Alan Davies, festival patron Jeremy Vine on his new book, Murder on Line One, the first in a brand-new murder mystery series, and Rose Ayling-Eliis Rose will be talking about her new book, Marvellous Messages, the fascinating story of communication, aimed at younger readers. Other authors include chef Romy Gill, Kate Humble, Fern Britton, Alexander Armstrong, BBC’s Security Correspondent Frank Gardner, Martin Clunes and Paula Hawkins author of Girl on the Train.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dartmouth-book-festival-fri-19-sun-21-sept"><a href="https://theflavel.org.uk/TheFlavel.dll/Home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dartmouth Book Festival</a>, Fri 19 &#8211; Sun 21 Sept </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1332" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/poppy-okotcha.jpg" alt="Poppy Okotcha A Wilder Way " class="wp-image-78841" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/poppy-okotcha.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/poppy-okotcha-601x800.jpg 601w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/poppy-okotcha-751x1000.jpg 751w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/poppy-okotcha-768x1023.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Now in its second year, this small fest organised at The Flavel promises a programme packed full of writing talent in all kinds of styles and genres. A brilliant list of topical author talks include Rachel Joyce&nbsp;(The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry), Robin Ince&nbsp;(The Infinite Monkey Cage), AN Wilson&nbsp;(Victoria, Goethe: His Faustian Life), John Suchet&nbsp;(The Last Waltz: The Strauss Dynasty), CB Everett&nbsp;(The Angel of Death, The Other People), Kate Ellis&nbsp;(The Killing Place, Coffin Island) and Andrew Wilson&nbsp;(Agatha Christie series: A Talent for Murder etc.) You can also catch a couple of talented locals &#8211; chef and crime writer Orlando Murrin and sustainable gardener Poppy Okotcha.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-south-hams-literary-festival-ivybridge-sat-4-sun-5-oct"><a href="https://www.southhamsauthors.co.uk/festival-2025/schedule-october" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">South Hams Literary Festival</a>, Ivybridge, Sat 4 &#8211; Sun 5 Oct</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1190" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/9781738510603-1.jpg" alt="Bosun Bob book cover " class="wp-image-65148" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/9781738510603-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/9781738510603-1-672x800.jpg 672w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/9781738510603-1-840x1000.jpg 840w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/04/9781738510603-1-768x914.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Prefer your talks to be free? Then you&#8217;re in for a treat with this vibrant weekend of author talks, storytelling, and&nbsp;free events&nbsp;for readers of all ages. Topics range from crime and memoir to fantasy and an open mic event for debut and unpublished writers at The Imperial. For kids,&nbsp;Muddy favourite and local, Erin&nbsp;Allgrove, brings <a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/life-2/people/muddy-meets-erin-emily-founders-of-langrove-publishing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bosun Bob</a>&nbsp;to life for a free children’s session&nbsp;(11am–12pm, Saturday) at The Ivybridge Bookshop &#8211; complete with stories, drawing activities, and creative fun. Don&#8217;t miss!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-want-more-creative-inspo-try-these">Want more creative inspo? Try these&#8230;</h2>



<a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/arts-and-culture/devon-open-studios-highlights/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Muddy&#8217;s pick of Devon Open Studios 2025</a>



<a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/life-2/people/emily-hadley-art-curator-no13-my-cultural-kicks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Devon online art curator Emily Hadley (aka @emupolops): My cultural kicks </a>



<a href="https://devon.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing-lifestyle/unusual-yoga-experiences-beyond-van-gogh-devon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yoga with a twist: arty &amp; unusual places to find your flow</a>

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