Sherborne named Dorset Town of Culture 2027

Douzelage partner town Sherborne has been officially named Dorset Town of Culture for 2027, recognising the town’s rich heritage, thriving creative community and commitment to making culture accessible to everyone.

The prestigious designation will see Sherborne deliver a year-long programme of cultural activity during 2027, bringing together residents, community organisations, artists and visitors through festivals, exhibitions and community-led initiatives.

Sherborne’s successful bid is built around a vision of showcasing, strengthening and sharing the town’s unique cultural identity while creating a lasting legacy for the local community.

The programme will celebrate both Sherborne’s remarkable history and its contemporary cultural life. The town, known for its historic Abbey and medieval streets, is already home to a vibrant programme of festivals, galleries, events and creative enterprises.

Sherborne Town Centre

Among the events contributing to Sherborne’s cultural landscape are the Sherborne Travel Writing Festival and Sherborne PRIDE, alongside exhibitions at The Sherborne and a Children’s Reading Festival planned to coincide with World Book Day in March 2027.

President of Douzelage European Town Twinning, Shane Smyth, congratulated Sherborne and the local community on securing the title.

“On behalf of the entire Douzelage family, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Sherborne on being named Dorset Town of Culture 2027.

“Culture and heritage play an enormously important role in creating a sense of identity and belonging within our towns, while also providing wonderful opportunities to bring people together. These are values which are very much shared across the Douzelage network.

“Sherborne has a rich history and a vibrant community, and this recognition provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase both to a much wider audience. We look forward to following the programme throughout 2027 and celebrating this achievement alongside our friends and partners in Sherborne.”

The 48th Douzelage General Meeting took place in Sherborne in 2024 

Sherborne Town Clerk Steve Shield said the town was “absolutely delighted” to receive the designation, with its ‘Culture Everywhere’ approach aiming to ensure that activities throughout the year are inclusive and accessible to the whole community.

Preparations for 2027 are already underway, including plans to establish a Community Cultural Partnership to help guide the programme and ensure that local organisations and residents play an active role in shaping the year.

The Dorset Town of Culture initiative was established in 2024 and selects one town each year to host a programme of creative and cultural activity. Previous programmes have attracted thousands of participants and visitors, with Sherborne now set to take up the mantle in 2027.

Douzelage looks forward to supporting and celebrating Sherborne throughout its year as Dorset Town of Culture and to seeing the town share its culture, creativity and heritage with audiences both locally and across Europe.

Sherborne, Dorset – image courtesy Sherborne Town Council