Where in Cumbria is bidding for Town of Culture?

22 hours ago

Ulverston hosts dozens of events every year, including its Lantern Festival

BBC A large, glowing lantern looks like a fox mid-jump with its orange tail in the air. Someone in a white coat is holding the lantern in the air. There are crowds of people in the dark also holding other lit lanterns. — Ulverston hosts dozens of events every year, including its Lantern Festival

The deadline has passed for areas to submit their official bid to become the UK's first Town of Culture 2028.

The competition is aimed at boosting local pride and will run alongside the existing UK City of Culture contest, which was won by Bradford in 2025.

So which places in Cumbria have placed a bid?

What is the prize?

There are three categories within the competition which are based on the size of an area's population.

They are:

Small town (less than 20,000 people)

Medium (20,000 - 75,000 people)

Large (75,000+)

There will be a winner in each category and from these, an overall winner will be selected.

The overall winner will receive £3m for a cultural programme in 2028, and the two other finalists will receive £250,000 each to put on part of their bid.

Where in Cumbria is bidding?

Ulverston, Barrow-in-Furness, Kendal, Kirkby Lonsdale, Workington and Maryport will be competing against the likes of North Shields, Stockport and Great Yarmouth to become the UK's first Town of Culture.

Ulverston Town Council said it hoped its reputation as a "festivals town" would help boost its bid.

Council leader Mark Wilson said a win would be a "real jewel in the crown" for the location which saw thousands of people attend dozens of events throughout the year, including its Lantern Festival and Dickensian Festival in the winter.

The funding would be used to "underpin, promote and develop" further festivals, with a focus on projects for younger people, Wilson said.

Kirkby Lonsdale boasts Ruskin's View, which was described as "one of the loveliest" in England

Robin Ree Mist and fog hangs over a river in front of a pebbled plateaued bank and green fields. Hills can be seen in the background alongside trees. The leaves on the trees topped with frost. — Kirkby Lonsdale boasts Ruskin's View, which was described as "one of the loveliest" in England

Kendal threw its hat into the ring in February with the launch of Kendal Town of Culture Partnership.

The partnership said the town had a "gloriously rich history," but chair of the group Caz Graham added: "Kendal hasn't benefited from some of the government funding that's helped boost culture and arts in other parts of the country and we think the investment of Town of Culture could make a huge difference."

The market town of Kirkby Lonsdale is also bidding, with the town council saying it had played a "quiet but significant role" in England's national story as a centre for trade, craftsmanship and rural life.

Marie Batty, who is leading the bid for the Kirkby Lonsdale Town Team, said she was optimistic about its chances.

"This bid belongs to every single person who calls Kirkby Lonsdale home and to everyone who has passed through and felt something they couldn't quite explain," she said.

Maryport is among the towns being put forward for Town of Culture

A general view of Maryport taken from Senhouse Street, looking down the harbour. The picture is taken from behind purple and white flowers in a planter. To the left, the road leads over a bridge and to several buildings. To the right there is the harbour, with the white lighthouse in the background. — Maryport is among the towns being put forward for Town of Culture

Cumberland Council said it had worked with other partners to submit bids from Workington and Maryport.

A council spokesman said: "We believe that Workington and Maryport represent strong candidates, with both towns having strong cultural identities, a rich story and are benefiting from significant regeneration activity."

Both towns are undergoing work as part of the multimillion-pound Town Deal.

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