Jarrow: A Town Shaped by Culture

Jarrow is a town where culture is not an add-on or a phase - it is the foundation of who we are

For more than 1,300 years, Jarrow has helped shape ideas, movements and identities that reach far beyond the North East. From learning and literature to social justice and creative expression, culture here has always been rooted in people, place and purpose.

Find out why

UK Town of Culture 2028 shortlist announced

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced the UK Town of Culture 2028 shortlist. Jarrow’s application has not been successful at this stage.

Statement from Susan Wear, Chair of Jarrow Forward Neighbourhood Board: “Many thanks to everyone who got behind our exciting bid. The good news is Jarrow doesn’t have to wait until 2028 to celebrate.

“Entering this competition generated a national profile for Jarrow and a growing sense of pride and possibility in our communities, especially among our young people who are helping to make our ten-year plan happen.”

The £20 million government funding for Jarrow’s ten-year regeneration plan is already underway to bring new events and opportunities to the town. Find out more at www.ourconversation.co.uk/yourjarrow

Cultural significance

Jarrow Hall: Bringing History to Life

Home to the world's only museum dedicated to the life and legacy of the "Father of English History," Jarrow Hall is a premier global destination. The Bede Museum anchors the site, drawing international visitors to explore the North East's Anglo-Saxon heritage through its unique collections.

St Paul's Monastery: A European Centre of Learning

At the heart of Jarrow lies St Paul's Monastery - one of the most influential centres of learning Europe. From this quiet corner of the North East, innovation and ideas about art, music, language, faith and identity travelled across the continent.

The Venerable Bede: A Global Legacy

Jarrow is the home of the polymath Venerable Bede - where he was one of the first to write down the English language and the first to define England and English history. His many textbooks on science, mathematics, faith and the environment are still in use today.

Jarrow Festival

Jarrow Festival is the town in celebration.

For over a century, it has brought people together to share stories, creativity and pride - from music, art and performance to history, play and community events happening across the town. Led by local volunteers and rooted in Jarrow’s streets, parks and venues, the festival champions everyday culture and local voices. It shows how creativity in Jarrow is community-powered, inclusive and alive - not something imported, but something created together.

Jarrow Town Hall

Jarrow Town Hall stands as a symbol of public life, shared ownership and community pride. It has hosted generations of gatherings, debates and cultural moments, shaping the civic identity of the town.
The Jarrow March

Culture as Social Change

The Jarrow March is one of the most significant moments in Britain's social history. Beginning here, it placed Jarrow at the centre of a national conversation about fairness, opportunity and the value of community.
A treasured link across the Tyne

The Jarrow Pedestrian Tunnel is one of the town's real treasures. Running beneath the River Tyne, it provides a direct, reliable link between Jarrow, the south of the Tyne and communities on the north bank.
The Jarrow Arrow and Monkton Stadium

At Monkton Stadium, a local track helped launch a global legend. This is where Steve Cram CBE - the Jarrow Arrow - discovered his talent, training with Jarrow and Hebburn Athletics Club before going on to become a world champion and one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time.

Listen to the voices from our community

Susan
Paul
Geoff
Residents

Layers of History,
Living Identity

From Anglo-Saxon monks to industrial workers, from repelling Viking raids to modern regeneration, Jarrow has been shaped by constant change. Public art, historic landmarks and everyday stories sit side-by-side, creating a town rich in layers and meaning.

Jarrow's cultural assets do not exist in isolation. Together, they tell a story of resilience, creativity and confidence - a town that understands where it has come from and is ambitious about where it is going next.