Ilfracombe has announced an exciting and ambitious bid to become the first UK Town of Culture 2028, aiming to showcase the town’s rich heritage, thriving creative community, and growing national cultural influence. The competition, launched by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), celebrates the cultural stories and achievements of towns across the UK.
The bid is being led by One Ilfracombe, a partnership bringing together councils, local agencies, voluntary organisations and community groups. The application is being shaped by their vibrant Culture Club, a network of over 100 artists, performers, venues, councils, museums and cultural organisers, reflecting the strength and diversity of Ilfracombe’s creative scene.
One Ilfracombe Project Officer Charmain Lovett expressed the team’s excitement:
“We are so excited about this opportunity for Ilfracombe. The Town of Culture competition is all about sharing the unique story of your town and how it has contributed to UK culture, and Ilfracombe has endless stories to tell! From the history of our working harbour going all the way back to the 1200s through to the modern contribution of Damien Hirst and his 66ft tall statue Verity we have a huge history of feeding into the national cultural and heritage narrative.
It also aligns with a lot of the other strategies we have through Ilfracombe Futures, Ilfracombe Town Council’s Strategic Plan and the Ilfracombe Culture Plan so it would be fantastic to tie the Town of Culture programme into the momentum that we already have.
Coupled with our incredible community spirit and the vibrant cultural offering we already have, we know that our application is strong — and hopefully this lovely little corner of the UK can share its cultural might with the wider world.”
The UK Town of Culture programme draws inspiration from the hugely successful UK City of Culture initiative and will award £3 million to the winning town to deliver a major cultural programme, with two further finalists receiving £250,000 each to support their own cultural activity in 2028. Winning towns are expected to demonstrate original storytelling, strong community involvement and an accessible, empowering programme of cultural events.
Ilfracombe enters the competition with an already impressive cultural calendar. Much‑loved events such as The Art Trail, Sea Ilfracombe, Ilfracombe Beer Festival, Green Man Day and Combe Christmas draw thousands each year, while 2026 welcomes exciting new additions including the Shanty Festival, Coast Week and the Ilfracombe Photography Festival, expected to attract visitors from across the UK. The town’s galleries — both professional and community‑led — and its thriving music and theatre groups add year‑round vibrancy, supported by the iconic Landmark Theatre, an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation.
The town’s bid will be submitted ahead of the 31 March 2026 Expression of Interest deadline, with shortlisted towns expected to be announced in spring.
If successful, Ilfracombe hopes to use the title to amplify its cultural story, strengthen community pride, and create a lasting legacy for both residents and visitors.
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