Passengers arriving at Exeter Airport this summer will be welcomed by striking new artwork celebrating Devon’s extraordinary literary heritage and Exeter’s status as one of just 63 UNESCO Cities of Literature in the world.
Recently Installed in the UK arrivals gate, the large-scale mural is expected to be seen by hundreds of thousands of passengers each year, introducing visitors to the writers, stories, and landscapes that have shaped the region’s literary identity.
Designed by local artist Rosetta Westbrook, the mural features iconic locations that inspired literary greats including Arthur Conan Doyle, Bram Stoker, and Charles Dickens, alongside celebrated Devon authors such as the world’s best-selling novelist Agatha Christie, beloved children’s writer Michael Morpurgo, and internationally acclaimed crime author Sarah Pearse.
The mural builds on the success of Exeter UNESCO City of Literature’s Literary Map of Exeter and Devon which launched in 2023 to help residents and visitors discover the county’s remarkable literary heritage. The first-of-its-kind printed map has since seen more than 30,000 copies distributed through libraries, community centres, independent bookshops, festivals, and visitor destinations across Devon. Both the Literary Map and the new airport mural were created by Rosetta Westbrook.
The artwork comes at a time of significant growth for Exeter Airport, which welcomed more than 582,000 passengers between March 2025 and March 2026 – an increase of 32% on the previous year. As the region’s principal airport continues to expand its domestic and international connections, it also strengthens Exeter’s links with fellow UNESCO Cities of Literature, including Edinburgh and Dublin, both accessible through direct flights.
The airport’s daily Amsterdam service also provides convenient onward connections to a growing network of UNESCO Cities of Literature across Europe and beyond, reinforcing Exeter’s place within a global community that celebrates literature, creativity, and storytelling.
The mural forms part of Exeter UNESCO City of Literature’s wider ambition to make literature visible throughout the region, using public spaces to celebrate Devon’s stories and inspire visitors to explore the landscapes, places and communities that have shaped generations of writers.
The airport installation joins a growing programme of projects connecting literature with tourism and place, including the Literary Map of Exeter and Devon and the recently launched Explore UNESCO South West Trails, developed in partnership with Great Western Railway to encourage visitors to discover the South West’s eight UNESCO-designated sites.
Exeter City of Literature’s Executive Director Anna Cohn Orchard says, “Exeter has always been a place where stories begin, grow, and are shared, and we wanted visitors to feel that from the moment they arrive. Devon’s landscapes have inspired world-renowned writers for generations, and our region continues to welcome readers, writers, and storytellers with new voices and big ideas. Rosetta has captured all of that with incredible creativity, and we’re thrilled to share her work with everyone coming through Exeter Airport.”
Stephen Wiltshire, Managing Director of Exeter Airport, says, “We’re delighted to have worked with Exeter UNESCO City of Literature on this project. The artwork is a fantastic addition to our arrivals terminal and reflects our shared ambition to celebrate everything that makes Devon such a distinctive place to live, work and visit.”
Pictured above, in front of the new artwork are Anna Cohn Orchard (Exeter City of Literature, Executive Director) and Stephen Wiltshire (Exeter Airport, Managing Director).
