Norfolk and Suffolk's bids to be Town of Culture

Places around Norfolk and Suffolk are hoping their unique communities, history and stories will set them on a path to become the UK's first Town of Culture.

Seaside resorts and a collective of rural market towns are among those that have expressed an interest in the new accolade.

Similar to City of Culture, the scheme encourages smaller communities to show off what makes them great - and how they could do better - with the winner given £3m to boost arts, music, literature and theatre throughout 2028, and beyond.

The Department for Culture will reveal its shortlist later this spring before the winner is announced early next year. Here's a look at the counties' bids.

Bury St Edmunds is one of the Suffolk towns making a push for the status.

Recent research has shown tourists and day-trippers are spending more in the town and the surrounding area, with the value of its economy hitting £55.9m in 2024.

Officials have cited the town's history, culture and Abbey Gardens as compelling reasons to visit.

Residents who were asked for their ideas at a recent community event to shape the bid suggested workshops, art trails and festivals could help.

The Town of Culture steering committee has described Bury St Edmunds as " wonderfully vibrant... with a rich cultural heritage and a unique story that deserves to be shared".

The neighbouring towns are known for their "friendly rivalry" but have much in common, said Liberal Democrat Liz Withington, the cabinet member for community, leisure and outreach at North Norfolk District Council.

The pair are making a joint bid.

Cromer Pier, Sheringham Little Theatre and Cromer Art Space were among its cultural spaces, she added. If successful, the Department of Culture cash would also boost the surrounding area and arts education.

"It's about overcoming some of the inequalities we face of being able to access culture and not have to travel long distances to see live music, exhibitions, or take part in workshops," she added.

The port and seaside town of Great Yarmouth, in Norfolk, is also launching its bid.

Carl Smith, leader of Conservative-led Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said 2028 was already shaping up to be an exciting year for the town.

The Venetian Waterways will be 100 years old, the Hippodrome will celebrate 125 years and the Out There Festival will have been running for two decades.

"We will also be reopening the Winter Gardens in that year, so we think this fits in perfectly with our culture and tourism offer," he said.

"It will give opportunities for young people to develop their skills, community cohesion and improved health and well-being."

Felixstowe is one of the busiest container ports in Europe, but leaders in the Suffolk town also believe its cultural offerings deserve recognition.

Felixstowe Town Council said residents had been asked "what makes Felixstowe culturally distinctive compared to other towns or coastal places?".

A social media post said it had "received a wealth of insight" with comments mentioning its historic seafront gardens and growing arts and festival scene.

The council said the contest would let the port location and seaside resort revel in its "world in a town" identity, while boosting its cultural development and community pride.

Felixstowe's best-known landmarks include Landguard Fort, the Martello towers, reopened pier, Spa Pavilion theatre, town museum, links golf course and annual tennis grass court tournament, won by Emma Raducanu just months before her US Open victory.

The Suffolk seaside town and port of Lowestoft also wants to be considered for the title.

Like Great Yarmouth, it gained international attention when street artist Banksy left his mark in several places as part of his Great British Staycation in 2021.

The Seagull Theatre, in Pakefield, is leading the town's bid and held two public meetings last month to help gather momentum.

It said it believed "Lowestoft should be celebrated" and wanted the community to get involved in suggesting ideas to mark its cultural history and highlights - and how the title might help residents.

Lowestoft's First Light Festival, a free event held on South Beach each midsummer on 20 and 21 June, has said it was helping to back the quest.

The town's musical heritage includes composer Benjamin Britten, rock band The Darkness and Rock School alumnus Lil' Chris.

Jess Asato, Labour MP for the Lowestoft, said in a social media post: "Let's all get behind Lowestoft's bid.

"Whether it's in our living room or our amazing cultural organisations, this is our time to embrace what we love about our town."

Known as the "national home of horseracing", Newmarket is also under starters orders for a place in the competition.

Tracey Harding, from Discover Newmarket, said that with its horseracing heritage the town had "always been a place of significance".

Newmarket Town Council agreed to support the bid for the status as part of an effort to celebrate the town's "rich heritage, culture and history" and hoped it could inspire new cultural projects in future.

Newmarket Charitable Foundation, Love Newmarket Business Improvement District (BID) and Discover Newmarket are among the groups that will work with other organisations to try to get its bid across the finish line.

Thetford's history goes back more than 2,000 years as the ancient capital of Anglo-Saxon East Anglia, wth connections to revolutionary thinker Thomas Paine, the Maharajah Duleep Singh and steam engineer Charles Burrell.

Sarah Sugget, deputy leader of Conservative-run Breckland District Council, said the Norfolk town was keen to highlight its other attractions to visitors, some of whom travelled from as far as New Zealand for its Dad's Army Museum, which is there due to a lot of the classic BBC comedy being filmed there.

"I think the likes of Diss and Thetford have to work a bit harder to show what we have to offer," she added.

"We are all a bit guilty of not appreciating what we have on our doorstep.

"I think if we can do something like this, get the youth out there and bring our communities together, only good can come of this."

This bid includes Diss and Harleston in Norfolk and the Suffolk towns of Beccles, Bungay and Halesworth.

Adrian Ramsay, Green MP for Waveney Valley, said the area was a cohesive community, with the wildlife, landscape and big open skies a big part of its culture.

"It's also about the people and the history, and if you bring those things together it's a really strong offer.

"So many artists and creatives have come to the area.

"In Halesworth we have the INK Festival, which showcases 15 new plays, and a school programme engaging young people in arts - and that's the kind thing we could do far more of."

Simon Daykin, of arts organisation Wells Maltings, said the town had a rich maritime heritage, a resilient community and a strong visitor economy.

"It's not just about pieces of art, it's about making things relevant for people's lives and bringing communities together under a common aim.

"In Wells, you've got many things going on in unusual places, incredible cultural events in tiny spaces, celebrating the very essence of what this town means to us.

"What we are concentrating on is galvanising that and making it a massive celebration of what it is to be in this town."

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