Sidmouth has thrown its hat in the ring to become the first-ever UK Town of Culture and scoop a prize pot of £3million to spend boosting the arts and creativity.
The town council has entered Sidmouth into the first round of the national competition to become the UK’s Town of Culture for 2028, showcasing all it has to offer through art, culture, music, heritage and community.
Now Sidmouth must wait until later this year to find out if it has been successful in getting through to the next round. If the town is shortlisted, it will receive £60,000 government funding to help the council put forward its full competition proposal.
The town council has entered Sidmouth into the first round of the national competition to become the UK’s Town of Culture for 2028.
Photo: Kyle Baker.
The government-run competition will choose three finalists – one small, one medium, one large town.
The winner will be crowned UK Town of Culture 2028 and scoop the £3million prize. And two runners-up will each receive £250,000 to help funds parts of their proposal.
The town council said the winning prize pot would be used to boost arts and culture in the Sid Valley.
Sidmouth Folk Festival 2021. Image: Kyle Baker
Sidmouth Folk Festival 2021 – Granny Turismo. Image: Kyle Baker
Councillor Hilary Nelson, Sidmouth Town Council chair, said: “By expressing an interest in becoming the UK Town of Culture for 2028, we are showing our pride in Sidmouth’s existing position as a hub for culture and the arts, but also an awareness of how we can use creativity as a driving force for sustainable positive change in the Sid Valley.
“We will empower people from across all sections of the community to unleash their inner artist, creating places and experiences that are both valuable and meaningful and which bring people together and help address the challenges our community faces.
“It’s a great opportunity for us all to learn about creativity, ourselves and others and in the process create a sustainable plan for continuing to deliver creative opportunities in the Sid Valley.”
Stalls and traders on the seafront at Sidmouth Folk Festival in 2019.Photo: EDN.
Louise Cole, Sidmouth School of Art trustee, the Town Council’s lead delivery partner for the project, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to share our town’s creative story past and present, to spark new collaborations and inspire everyone to shape and take part in our rich culture in all its forms.
“The positive impact of arts and culture on health and wellbeing and for the economy, for all ages is well known. This is a wonderful way to galvanise, excite and engage our creative imaginations together.”
Sidmouth’s bid for the title will include a host of creative ideas and input from across the town’s business sector, plus youth and community groups, with the aim of showcasing what the community does best.
Sidmouth Giants George and Sabra.
Photo: Simon Horn.
The Sidmouth Steppers.
Photo: Simon Horn.
Sidmouth International Jazz & Blues Festival 2024.
Photo: with permission.
A Sidmouth Town Council spokesman said: “Sidmouth’s bid will bring together a range of partners, including local arts, events and voluntary organisations, businesses and schools to design a cultural programme for the town. This means using creative projects to strengthen the community and provide inclusive, accessible places and activities for everyone in the Sid Valley, and those who visit us, to enjoy.
“The town council’s bid will build on Sidmouth’s heritage and existing cultural strengths, including the town’s vibrant festival season and year-round programme of visual arts, music, theatre, dance and literature events. It would seek to reach the whole population and break down barriers to accessing arts and culture.
“As well as expanding access to cultural events, the bid would also seek to invest in art in community spaces, creating a lasting legacy for the town.
“If successful, the Town of Culture bid would attract significant additional funding to support the arts and culture offering in the Valley.”
Sidmouth Town Band performing at Sidmouth Folk Festival.
Photo: with permission.
The competition was launched by culture secretary Lisa Nandy in October 2025.
