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
20.15m
(Visitors Annually)
6.5m
(75 Attractions)
8%
(Overnight Stays)
13,178
(Jobs Within the Industry)
£1.23bn
(Annual Income)
Latest news
Highest civic honour awarded to Weardale volunteers
19 May 2025
The highest civic honour in County Durham has been bestowed to one of the founders of the Weardale Museum and volunteers who have helped restore the area’s heritage railway line. David Heatherington and the Weardale Railway Trust have been presented with Chairman’s Medals by Durham County Council. As one of the founding members of the […]
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Read all about it: Seven Stories opens doors to sister site, Two Tales in Durham
15 May 2025
Two Tales is officially open on Durham’s high street with an exciting launch weekend for stakeholders, friends, local families and supporters of Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children’s Books beginning this Friday 16 May with a welcome to funders and supporters of the project. Seven Stories believes every book is an open door to […]
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Kynren begins work on major show for its time travelling theme park
15 May 2025
Following recent planning approval, development has now begun on one of the flagship experiences within Kynren – The Storied Lands, the UK’s first live-action historical theme park. Set to open in summer 2026 alongside four other monumental shows and immersive experiences, The Lost Feather is a visually stunning and conservation-led bird show which will be […]
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Stelliferous Limited
Stelliferous Limited is a family-run event production company creating unforgettable live experiences across the South West and North East of England. We specialise in live music promotion, event management, and theatrical production, offering a full range of services from artist booking and ticketing to technical delivery and on-the-day coordination. Whether it’s a large-scale concert or […]
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Coghlans Artisan Bakery
Coghlans at Barningham's Artisan Bakery has been created within the old stable block and coach house at Barningham Park, a classic estate where the bakehouse and kitchen hosts a range of artisan products from bread and chocolates and your daily essential needs. Coghlans handmade bread use no preservatives food colours or artificial flavours, just a natural product from […]
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Northern Print Distribution
Northern Print Distribution: Putting your leaflets precisely where you want them. At Northern Print Distribution we can help you implement an effective leaflet marketing campaign that will drive crucial footfall to your business.
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William Peat Butchers
Teesdale's oldest and finest butchers. Beef and lamb is locally produced supplemented by the best Yorkshire pork and poultry.
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Visit County Durham latest
Durham shortlisted for national award
Durham has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Group Leisure & Travel Awards 2025. The county has been nominated by readers of Group Leisure and Travel magazine and is now in the running to be voted Best UK Destination.
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Exciting new Story launched for DurhamÂ
An exciting new approach to promoting the county was unveiled yesterday (18 March), with over 80 stakeholders attending the launch of the ‘Durham story’. The event, hosted by Durham County Council and Durham University at Gala Durham, was the culmination of a 12-month project which has seen engagement with hundreds of stakeholders from across the […]
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New collaboration seeks to attract French visitors to North East England
Newcastle Airport and destination development partnership, Destination North East England have collaborated with Expedia Group on a new campaign targeting visitors from France. Capitalising on the new easyJet route between Paris and Newcastle, the digital campaign aims to drive flight bookings, and overnight stays by highlighting the unique experiences visitors can take advantage of when […]
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VCD Blog - Progress and pace continues as we look forward with optimism
As 2025 is now in full swing it feels great to be looking ahead with excitement and optimism.
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