Dartford is bidding to become UK Town of Culture

Dartford has rightly won praise for the projects, events, venues and initiatives we’ve supported. From celebrating our global music heritage through the statues of The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, to the success of the Sir Peter Blake Gallery, and from a packed calendar of free community events to our continued support for the Orchard Theatre, we have consistently harnessed culture to deliver meaningful experiences for the people of our town.

Dartford’s story stretches even further - from early paper mills that helped spread ideas across Britain, to artists and musicians who shaped global culture.

Now, there is a chance for Dartford to be recognised nationally as a UK Town of Culture and we are up for the journey to make it happen.

The Council has formally registered its intention to submit an Expression of Interest by March 31. This is the first stage of a national competition designed to celebrate towns that have shaped Britain’s cultural life and have the ambition to shape its future.

If Dartford is successfully shortlisted, we will move to the next stage and work with creative partners, businesses, schools and community groups to develop a full and detailed bid.

This is the beginning.

We are bringing together a strong team to prepare a powerful submission - one that reflects the real Dartford: its heritage, its diversity, its energy and its ambition.

And we want the whole town to be part of it.

• Find out how to get involved
• Meet our partners
• Tell us your Dartford story
• Learn more about the national competition

Dartford has helped shape the cultural story of this country before.