Wimborne Minster has been named Dorset’s Town of Culture for 2026, with Mid Dorset and North Poole MP Vikki Slade marking the achievement in Parliament.
The Liberal Democrat MP tabled an Early Day Motion in Westminster to celebrate the award and highlighted the news during a Commons session, praising Wimborne as the heart of her constituency and saying she was thrilled by the announcement.
She pointed to the town’s wide cultural offer, including the Museum of East Dorset, the chained library at Wimborne Minster, the Tivoli Theatre, the Allendale Centre, Walford Mill Gallery, the Folk Festival, Kingston Lacy and school productions at Queen Elizabeth’s School.
The title follows Bridport in 2024 and Weymouth and Portland in 2025. Led by The Arts Development Company and Dorset Council, the 2026 programme will run under the theme Bridging the Past and the Future, celebrating Wimborne’s one thousand year history while supporting youth wellbeing, tackling social isolation and connecting communities.
The first wave of events will launch on 19 February. Vikki Slade is also hosting Dorset Day in Parliament, bringing food and drink producers, Wimborne’s Mayor and a 17th century reenactment group to Westminster to showcase the county’s culture and heritage.
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