Motion was born in London and moved to Stisted, Essex at age 12. He went to Radley College. He studied English at University College, Oxford. Between 1976 and 1980, Motion taught English at the University of Hull. While there, at age 24, he had his first volume of poetry published. Motion edited the Poetry Society's "Poetry Review" from 1980–1982. He was Editorial Director and Poetry Editor at Chatto & Windus (1983–89).