Main content

Welcome to The Poet Laureate Has Gone To His Shed

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage invites guests to join him in his garden shed to talk about life, language, art, music and sherry.

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage is a former probation officer, DJ and a poet celebrated for his witty and profound take on modern life.

In this podcast, he invites guests to join him in the writing shed in his garden to talk about life, language and the human voice.

Surrounded on all sides by the Pennine hills and the Pennine weather, Simon welcomes, even encourages, the distractions his guests offer through talk of music, art, sheds, sherry and his latest poetic undertaking: a translation of the Middle English poem The Owl and the Nightingale.

Over 12 episodes, guests include acclaimed spoken word performer Kate Tempest, Turner Prize recipient Antony Gormley, model and actress Lily Cole, DJ and Elbow frontman Guy Garvey, actress Maxine Peake, poet Jackie Kay and World Record beatboxing champion Testament.

Release date:

Available now

2 minutes

Sir Ian McKellen: 10 things we learned when he spoke to the Poet Laureate

Sir Ian McKellen: 10 things we learned when he spoke to the Poet Laureate

Simon Armitage and Sir Ian discuss cricket, tattoos and playing Magneto and Gandalf.

Johnny Marr: 10 things we learned when he spoke to Simon Armitage

Johnny Marr: 10 things we learned when he spoke to Simon Armitage

The Smiths songwriter on the creative process, the magic of cities, and beaten-up guitars.

Chris Packham: Seven things we learned when he spoke to Simon Armitage

Chris Packham: Seven things we learned when he spoke to Simon Armitage

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage talks to naturalist Chris Packham about life, art and music.

Kate Tempest: 10 things we learned when she spoke to Simon Armitage

Kate Tempest: 10 things we learned when she spoke to Simon Armitage

Simon Armitage and Kate Tempest on rapping, writing under pressure and her pet Malamute.

Guy Garvey: Nine things we learned when he spoke to Simon Armitage

Guy Garvey: Nine things we learned when he spoke to Simon Armitage

Simon Armitage invites Guy Garvey to his shed to talk about life, bird watching and music.

Podcast