Sherborne will take over from Wimborne as the holder of Dorset Town of Culture for 2027.
Its planned Culture Everywhere programme will use festivals, exhibitions and community projects to help people of different ages and backgrounds engage with arts and heritage, while building partnerships and creating a lasting legacy for the town.
Sherborne Town Clerk Steve Shield said the town was “absolutely delighted” to secure the title, adding that its plans would bring inclusivity to the programme and make activities accessible across the community.
Events highlighted for 2027 include the Sherborne Travel Writing Festival, Sherborne Pride, exhibitions at The Sherborne and a World Book Day Children’s Reading Festival, alongside further projects intended to uncover local talent and bring people together.
A Community Cultural Partnership will be established to guide the year and ensure local voices help shape it, with Dorset Council and Sherborne Town Council providing matched funding throughout the programme.
Wimborne continues as Dorset Town of Culture throughout 2026 and has secured additional funding for HOME, a community production planned at Kingston Lacy in September as part of its programme.
