You may all be aware that Bishop Auckland has officially entered the competition to become the UK Town of Culture 2028, we submitted our ‘expression of interest’ in March 2026, we had hoped to learn if we were through to the next round by late Spring but the volume of entries has caused some delays, and we have been told that we should know by the end of July 2026!
However that doesn’t mean we have stopped thinking about what it could mean for our town and doing some background planning. As part of the process whilst we await announcements, we have been asked to submit a digital postcard from Bishop Auckland to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). We had less than a week to mobilise and submit our entry, but the greatest challenge was only having 100 words to write about all the great things that you can see and do when you come here! So stay on the look out as we may have more postcards coming out soon!
We were delighted to learn that the postcard we submitted will be put with the others, and the National Museum Liverpool has agreed to accession all postcards into their collection in recognition of the importance that this moment represents.
You can now view our entry alongside others from across the country on the Official UK Town of Culture Digital Map (Google Maps)
Bishop Auckland Town Council’s formal expression of interest to become the UK’s first Town of Culture in 2028, was submitted in March 2026 marking an important step in showcasing the town’s heritage, creativity, and the people who make our town special. This national programme celebrates places with strong identity, rich heritage and vibrant, diverse communities. Winning the title would bring significant cultural opportunities, investment and visibility to our town.
This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for Bishop Auckland. Our town has a powerful cultural story to tell from our heritage assets and events programme to the creativity, passion, and dedication of our residents and volunteers. Our bid will demonstrate that culture isn’t only about performance and heritage; it’s about people, identity, pride of place, and community connection. Winning Town of Culture would help us drive forward positive change.
As one of County Durham’s largest parishes, Bishop Auckland has long been recognised for its rich history, diverse cultural offer, and strong, resilient communities. The bid will celebrate the town’s distinctive history and cultural strengths, while setting out a forward‑looking vision centred on creativity, inclusivity, and community pride. The bid will highlight the significant progress already being made locally, an ambitious vision for how arts, heritage, and community-led activity can continue to grow in the years ahead, leaving a lasting legacy. We believe culture can help drive long‑term change, improve wellbeing and open new opportunities for local people of all ages.
Through our bid, we want to:
- showcase Bishop Auckland’s heritage and creativity
- bring more cultural activity into our neighbourhoods
- support young people and local talent
- strengthen partnerships across South West Durham
- create lasting benefits for residents, businesses and visitors
The council believes that with the support and involvement of residents, Bishop Auckland can stand out as a bold contender for Town of Culture demonstrating the passion, resilience, and innovation that define the town. To ensure the bid reflects the community’s voice, the working group behind the bid has launched a public survey and is asking as many people as possible to respond.
Councillor Mike Harker, Chair of Town of Culture Working Group:
“Following the initial Town of Culture meeting at the end of January at the Spanish Gallery, a working group has been busy behind the scenes pulling together all the information for the expression of interest. This bid belongs to the whole town, and we cannot do it without our community. We need residents to tell us what culture in Bishop Auckland means to them their ideas, their priorities, and their ambitions for the future. By completing the survey, our community can directly influence what we present in our bid to be Town of Culture 2028. We encourage everyone to get involved and back the bid.”
You can get involved by completing the short survey using Microsoft Forms: Fill in Form – Bishop Auckland is bidding for the Town of Culture 2028 and we want everyone to be involved
If you are keen to learn more or be involved in the Town of Culture bid you can sign up to our Mailing List – Sign up for Town of Culture information or you can email townofculture@bishopauckland-tc.gov.uk
