Consistently ranked as one of the most visited towns in the West Midlands. Stratford-upon-Avon is known worldwide as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. With more than, 2.5 million visitors a year, this is a strong contender for the UK Town of Culture competition, due to its rich literary heritage. placeholder image
Consistently ranked as one of the most visited towns in the West Midlands. Stratford-upon-Avon is known worldwide as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. With more than, 2.5 million visitors a year, this is a strong contender for the UK Town of Culture competition, due to its rich literary heritage. | Emma Walker

I love these West Midlands towns – they could all be named UK’s first Town of Culture

By Mimi Ibrahim
Published 14th Jan 2026, 11:48 GMT

We think these West Midlands towns should be top contenders in this new culture contest

Today (14 January) the UK government has announced that it will launch a competition to find the first ever UK Town of Culture.

The purpose of this competition is to find towns that will drive the Government’s Plan for Change.

Read more: The historic 'lost' West Midlands village with a dark past lying hidden just an hour from Birmingham

Towns across the UK, can submit their Expressions of Interest now.

Sir Phil Redmond will lead an expert panel, judging towns on the way they’ll tell their unique story, how they’ll bring everyone in a community together, and how towns will deliver on their vision. The strongest bids will progress to a shortlist, with each shortlisted town receiving £60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competition.

Three finalists - one small, one medium, one large town - will be chosen. The winner will be crowned UK Town of Culture 2028 and receive a £3 million prize. The two runners-up will each receive £250,000 to deliver elements of their bid, from refreshed community infrastructure to electric music festivals.

The deadline for Expressions of Interest for UK Town of Culture 2028 is 31 March 2026, with the shortlist of towns expected to be announced this Spring.

With this in mind, we thought we’d recommend some of our favourite West Midlands towns that should definitely be up for consideration.

Offers a fabulous leisure space, this historic spa town in Warwickshire is known for its Regency architecture. It has plenty of beautiful parks, and vibrant town centre.

5. Leamington Spa

Offers a fabulous leisure space, this historic spa town in Warwickshire is known for its Regency architecture. It has plenty of beautiful parks, and vibrant town centre. | Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The market town in Warwickshire, is well-known the birthplace of the sport rugby and the town has a population 78,117, according to the most recent census.

6. Rugby

The market town in Warwickshire, is well-known the birthplace of the sport rugby and the town has a population 78,117, according to the most recent census. | Google Photo: Google

Long-history, mentioned in the Domesday Book 1086. The town was an absolute powerhouse during the Industrial revolution and has many famous people who call it home, Sir Lenny Henry, being chief among them.

7. Dudley

Long-history, mentioned in the Domesday Book 1086. The town was an absolute powerhouse during the Industrial revolution and has many famous people who call it home, Sir Lenny Henry, being chief among them. | Oosoom, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Located in Worcestershire, its nestled in the fertile floodplain of the River Avon. Evesham is known for its pretty setting and it is a 1h 17m drive away from Birmingham.

8. Evesham

Located in Worcestershire, its nestled in the fertile floodplain of the River Avon. Evesham is known for its pretty setting and it is a 1h 17m drive away from Birmingham. | Ron Strutt, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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