Swanage and the Isle of Purbeck Bid for UK Town of Culture 2028 receives overwhelming support from local organisations
Swanage and the wider Purbeck area have come together to bid for UK Town of Culture 2028, coordinated by Cultural Purbeck and supported by local partners. The bid aims to celebrate Purbeck’s unique heritage, landscapes, and creative communities, while building long-term cultural opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
“This bid is about celebrating what makes Swanage and Purbeck distinctive – our landscape, our heritage, and our creative communities. Culture in Purbeck already thrives in so many ways. This bid gives us a chance to connect those energies, strengthen partnerships, and ensure more people can take part.”
– Laurel Hart, Engagement and Comms Lead, Cultural Purbeck
From Stone to Sea: A Community-Shaped Theme
Following workshops with creatives, community organisations, local businesses, and residents, the bid has adopted the theme “From Stone to Sea”.
This theme reflects Purbeck’s geology, heritage, natural landscapes, and creativity, providing a unifying narrative for festivals, arts events, media, and educational programmes.
“This bid is truly a collaboration with the Purbeck community. Recent workshops showed just how much passion, creativity, and knowledge exists across the area, and we’re excited to see those ideas at the heart of our plans.”
– Debbie Evans, Chair, Cultural Purbeck
A Vibrant Cultural Hub
Swanage and the Isle of Purbeck are home to a thriving cultural ecosystem. From Purbeck Art Weeks, Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, Purbeck Guitar Festival and Swanage Jazz Festival, to Swanage Fish & Food Festival, galleries, theatres, and community projects, the area pulses with creativity all year.
Coupled with Purbeck’s dramatic coastline, remarkable heritage, and stunning landscapes, the region is a place where international talent meets local voices, nurturing creativity and celebrating community.
Yet not everyone currently benefits. Young people often face barriers to arts access, while older or isolated residents may miss out due to health, mobility, or rural life limitations. The bid aims to open up cultural opportunities for everyone, across age, location, and circumstance.
“Cultural activity brings people together, strengthens social connections, and generates opportunities for better lives. Achieving UK Town of Culture status would help Swanage and Purbeck flourish as a vibrant, connected place.”
– Ali Tuckey, CEO, Swanage and Purbeck Development Trust
Local Support is Strong
The bid has received overwhelming backing from local organisations:
- Swanage Drama Company: “We believe this bid is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the creativity, community spirit, and cultural life of Swanage and Purbeck.”
- Allsort’d C.I.C: “Purbeck is a place of awe and wonder with an inclusive, welcoming community.”
- The Mowlem: “‘From Stone to Sea’ captures Purbeck’s heritage, landscapes, and creative community.”
- The Blue Pool / Furzebrook Estate: “Purbeck is where culture is lived, shared, and continually re-imagined — it deserves national recognition.”
- National Trust: “A Town of Culture designation would showcase Purbeck’s creativity and connection to place to the wider world.”
- Swanage Fish & Food Festival: “These community-led celebrations enrich local life and support the visitor economy.”
- Purbeck Art Weeks Festival: “Bringing together international stars and local talent, Purbeck offers something for everyone while boosting the economy.”
- Purbeck Guitar Festival:’ This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate everything that makes Purbeck so special – its heritage, its vibrant community spirit, and its thriving creative scene.
- Purbeck Sounds Radio: “We meet so many people who inspire and make this town such a vibrant and creative environment.”
🌟 What is the UK Town of Culture?
The UK Town of Culture 2028 is a brand-new national competition launched by the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Inspired by the success of the UK City of Culture programme, it aims to shine a spotlight on towns across the UK, celebrating their unique stories, heritage, and creativity.
🏆 The winning town will receive around £3 million to deliver a major cultural programme in 2028, helping to bring communities together, boost local pride, and create lasting cultural opportunities.
The competition focuses on three key ideas:
- Telling your town’s story
- Making culture accessible for everyone
- Delivering a bold and inspiring cultural programme
At its heart, the initiative is about putting culture at the centre of community life, helping towns grow, connect, and thrive.
A bright future for Purbeck
The UK Town of Culture 2028 bid is more than a title — it’s a chance to connect communities, unlock creativity, and celebrate the heritage and landscapes that make Swanage and Purbeck unique.
With this designation, Purbeck can ensure that culture, creativity, and learning are accessible to everyone, making the region thriving, inclusive, and resilient for years to come.
Follow the Cultral Purbeck Facebook page for updates. Or you can contact them at: info@culturalpurbeck.co.uk
