A seaside town with a harbour history stretching back to the 1200s is setting its sights on a national cultural crown – and a £3 million prize to match.
Ilfracombe has announced a bid to become the first UK Town of Culture 2028, aiming to showcase its heritage, creative community and growing cultural profile. It joins Barnstaple in a bid.
The competition, launched by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), celebrates the cultural stories and achievements of towns across the UK. It will award £3 million to the winning town to deliver a major cultural programme. Two further finalists will each receive £250,000 to support their own cultural activity in 2028.
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 its Culture Club, a network of more than 100 artists, performers, venues, councils, museums and cultural organisers.
Charmain Lovett, project officer at One Ilfracombe, said: “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.”
Winning towns are expected to demonstrate original storytelling, strong community involvement and an accessible, empowering programme of cultural events.
Ilfracombe already hosts a number of established events, including The Art Trail, Sea Ilfracombe, Ilfracombe Beer Festival, Green Man Day and Combe Christmas, which draw thousands each year. In 2026, new additions include the Shanty Festival, Coast Week and the Ilfracombe Photography Festival, which are expected to attract visitors from across the UK.
The town’s galleries, both professional and community-led, and its music and theatre groups contribute to year-round cultural activity. The Landmark Theatre, an Arts Council national portfolio organisation, also supports the local arts scene.
The bid will be submitted ahead of the Tuesday, March 31 Expression of Interest deadline, with shortlisted towns expected to be announced in the spring.
If successful, Ilfracombe hopes the title will help amplify its cultural story, strengthen community pride and create a lasting legacy for residents and visitors.
For more information visit www.oneilfracombe.org.uk.
