The Penguin Books Vending Machine was installed at Exeter St Davids train station in April 2023 thanks to a partnership between Penguin Books, Exeter UNESCO City of Literature, and Great Western Railway. The machine sits in the entrance to Exeter St Davids, allowing passengers to purchase a wide range of Penguin Books through a convenient - and entirely automated - process.
The machine has proven to be a hit with locals and commuters alike, garnering millions of views thanks to a string of viral social media posts and national press attention that lauded its uniqueness. Authors also celebrated the launch, with Elif Shafak and Richard Osman - who both regularly feature in the Penguin Books Vending Machine - singing its praises as a unique piece of literary placemaking for Exeter.
Now in 2025, the Penguin Books Vending Machine will play host to a curated selection of books from Penguin’s 90 years of publishing success with Exeter City of Literature managing the unique book dispenser’s inventory. Customers can expect to encounter a series of themed books in the machine to celebrate Exeter’s place in the bookish world as one of only 53 UNESCO Cities of Literature.
During important days on the UNESCO calendar, such as International Literacy Day, readers can expect to find a selection of fiction and poetry by authors from Cities of Literature around the world. This March, UNESCO Cities of Literature across the world support linguistic diversity and powerful expression on World Poetry Day. Travelers through St Davids can pick up Twelve Words for Moss from Devon's own Elizabeth Jane Burnett, and Letters to a Young Poet by Prague City of Literature’s Rainer Maria Rilke.
