Visit County Durham
Visit County Durham (VCD) is the destination management organisation for County Durham and one of a portfolio of nationally supported, strategic, and high-performing accredited Local Visitor Economy Partnerships. We provide strong local leadership and governance, and are committed to the promotion, management, and development of County Durham as a great place to live, work, visit and do business.
Visit County Durham works in partnership locally, regionally, and nationally on shared priorities and targets. Our mission is to support and grow the visitor economy through robust destination management, strong stakeholder relationships and clear planning.
Our vision is to create the conditions for our residents, businesses, and the environment to benefit from sustainable growth in our visitor economy. By supporting and marketing our distinctive heritage, landscapes, culture and warm welcome, we will grow both day and overnight visits and make County Durham a compelling, global destination for tourism, culture, and business.
Destination performance
21.56m
(Visitors Annually)
Over 6m
(75 Attractions)
8%
(Overnight Stays)
13,795
(Jobs Within the Industry)
£1.38bn
(Annual Income)
Latest news
Christmas returns to Auckland Palace with an expanded festive food experience
26 Nov 2025
Christmas is returning to Auckland Palace in Bishop Auckland, bringing with it an expanded festive food experience for visitors to enjoy throughout the season. From indulgent afternoon teas in Bishop’s Kitchen to festive tapas at El Castillo and street food in Santa’s Village, this year’s celebrations promise to make Auckland Palace a destination for delicious […]
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Remarkable Neapolitan Nativity returns to Auckland Palace for Christmas
25 Nov 2025
Bishop Auckland will be the only place in the UK where people can see an elaborate 18th-century nativity scene from Naples this festive season, comprising over 400 intricately crafted figures depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. The Auckland Project will present The Auckland Palace Nativity in its Faith Museum for a limited time this Christmas as part […]
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Vintage fairground ride returns to North East England for the first time since the 1960s
24 Nov 2025
Lightning Skid returns to Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town, from December 4-7 Bishop Auckland, Durham, November 24, 2025 - The Lightning Skid, a long-forgotten vintage fairground ride, returns to North East England this December for the first time since the late 1960s. A traditional flat-ride, Lightning Skid spins and swings riders in classic cars on a […]
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Dalton Moor Farm - Vegan Fruit Farm
Food & Drinks from Dalton Moor Farm Dalton Moor Farm produces Award Winning Apple Juice and Fruit Juices, Traditional ‘Real’ Cider, Apple Cider Vinegar, ‘Bee Free Vegan HUNNY’, a range of Fruit Jams, Chutneys and Marmalades, and herbal teas. We choose single-use-plastic-free packaging. All our products are made with fruits and herbs grown veganically on […]
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n-gage.io
The all-in-one, cloud based attraction management software and audience mobile app, helping the global attraction, leisure & entertainment industry to enhance audience engagement, gain valuable insights & drive revenues. Built from the ground up for the experience economy, the n-gage.io platform and mobile visitor app is helping attractions of all sizes and types to simplify their approach […]
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Shout Loud Social
We aim to simplify digital marketing for businesses by providing comprehensive services all in one place. Based at Ushaw House on the outskirts of Durham City, our team specialises in a wide range of services, including: Our approach is designed to alleviate the burden on business owners and senior leadership teams who may find digital […]
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Envision Design Group
Based in vibrant Newcastle, we are a dynamic architectural and interior design firm serving diverse industries nationwide. With a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence, we collaborate closely with our clients to deliver inspired solutions tailored to their unique needs. Whether it's residential, commercial, or industrial projects, we bring creativity, expertise, and a […]
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Visit County Durham latest
Durham Cricket partnership shortlisted for national award
The inspiring partnership between the county’s new place brand, The Durham Story, and Durham Cricket’s first professional women’s team, has been recognised nationally after being named as a finalist in the ECB Business of Cricket Awards 2025. To ensure long-term success, Durham Cricket needed the right partners, those who not only aligned with their values, […]
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County Durham showcased as a cultural, heritage and investment destination during US Civic Delegation visit
A civic delegation from Durham, North Carolina, USA – sister city to Durham, UK – has been welcomed to County Durham as part of a cultural exchange programme. The event was hosted by Durham County Council and supported by the council’s international team within Visit County Durham, working alongside key partners. The visit, which built […]
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National campaign encourages holidaymakers to make Durham their Next Stop
Visit County Durham has launched a major national destination marketing campaign to inspire consumers to make Durham their next stop for a staycation, positioning the county as a must-visit destination for UK holidaymakers. Running from autumn 2025 to spring 2026, ‘Next Stop, Durham’ will highlight the county’s wealth of world-class attractions and events, outdoor adventures, […]
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Renowned Irish TV Chef shines a spotlight on North East England in upcoming TV series
North East England’s best culinary hotspots and heritage attractions are set to reach an international audience, as award-winning Irish chef Neven Maguire films a brand-new series of his popular television programme across the region. Neven and his crew were in the North East in September filming across the region for his show “Neven’s North East […]
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