02/08/2026
How exciting! I just finished reading Bim Mason's candid and detailed book on the trials and challenges that came with setting up a circus school in the changing UK Cultural landscape (celebrating 30 years of Bristol's Circomedia) - and now here's a new one on the scene! Can't wait to visit 👩🏻🎓
Exeter to become the new home of Circus Arts in the South West
Dreamers it is with enormous pride that we can finally share some exciting news. We have chosen Exeter as the future home of our circus family & the home of our most ambitious project to date.
For the past 7 months, we have been working tirelessly behind the scenes, navigating countless meetings, surveys, legal documents & planning processes to bring an extraordinary vision to life. Our ambition is to create a permanent home for circus in the South West, bringing together a circus school, circus museum & live performance venue under one roof. There could not be a more fitting location than the magnificent Sidwell Street Methodist Church. Opened in 1905, this extraordinary Grade II* listed landmark is recognised as one of Exeter's finest historic buildings & is of national architectural significance. Its remarkable design has made it one of the city's most distinctive landmarks for well over a century.
At the heart of this project is heritage. Rather than allowing this much loved building to stand empty or lose its purpose, our vision is to breathe new life into it while respecting & celebrating its remarkable history. We are committed to preserving the character of this iconic building ensuring it remains a place where people gather, learn, perform & create memories for generations to come.
The project also represents what is believed to be a highly unusual moment in the history of the Methodist Church, with an active Methodist church passing into new ownership while continuing its legacy as a place for community, culture & public life. It is a responsibility we do not take lightly & we are determined to honour both the building's past & its future.
This announcement was intended to come later, once everything was in place & we could give this project the launch it deserved. However after learning that details were about to be published by the press despite our request to wait, we felt it was only right that you heard the news directly from us first.
To our wonderful Dreamers across Devon & beyond, thank you for your patience, encouragement & unwavering support. Your belief, & every ticket sold, in what we do has helped make this moment possible.
Together we are about to make history by creating the South West's first permanent home dedicated to the circus arts, preserving its past, celebrating its present & inspiring its future.
It is still early days & there is much work ahead but we cannot wait to open the doors & welcome you all... let's make history
Welcome to The Circus 💫🎪❤️
