Media Room

Latest News

All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.

Filter News

All Visit County Durham Industry

Filter results by date:

From Date:

Format: 29-12-2023

To Date:

Format: 30-12-2023

Industry

Construction of new County Durham cultural venue complete

16 Apr 2026

Work to create a new cultural venue and tourist attraction in Durham City has reached an important milestone, with the main construction phase now complete. Set to open this summer, The Light represents a major investment in creativity, culture and community. It will bring together art, history and...

Industry

Leading UK florist inspires students during visit to East Durham College ahead of RHS Chelsea Flower Show

14 Apr 2026

Students at East Durham College received expert guidance from one of the UK’s most celebrated florists during a special visit to the college’s Houghall Campus yesterday (19 March). Renowned floral designer Simon Lycett—known for his work on royal events, with high-profile clients including...

Industry

VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 venue and date announced

13 Apr 2026

VisitEngland has today, 9 April, announced that this year’s VisitEngland Awards for Excellence will be held at Aerospace Bristol, under the wings of Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the supersonic passenger jet, on 3 June. Finalists from 21 local competitions will win Gold, Silver...

Visit County Durham

Latest edition of the Durham Pocket Guide published

7 Apr 2026

The 2026 edition of the official visitor guide for the county, the Durham Pocket Guide, is now being distributed across the county, offering visitors and residents alike inspiring information to help them make the most of their time in the county. The guide showcases outstanding...

Industry

Dalton Park recognised with double win at North East Tourism Awards

2 Apr 2026

Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors, the North East’s largest outlet shopping destination, has secured a double win at the North East Tourism Awards, achieving Gold in the Regenerative Tourism category and Silver for the Accessible and Inclusive Award. The recognition reinforces Dalton Park’s...

Visit County Durham

County Durham to feature in BBC Two’s Pilgrimage programme this Easter

31 Mar 2026

County Durham is set to take centre stage this Easter weekend as it features in the latest series of the popular BBC Two programme, Pilgrimage. The new series, Pilgrimage: The Road Through the North, begins on Easter Sunday at 9pm on BBC Two, with further episodes airing on...

Industry

Raby volunteer awarded third place at National Tourism Superstar award

31 Mar 2026

A volunteer guide at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens has finished in the top three in VisitEngland’s national Tourism Superstar award. 87-year-old Jimmy Nicol was one of ten finalists in the prestigious national competition which seeks out champions working in tourism who provide fantastic...

Industry

Seaham Hall opens its doors to 25 years of stories

30 Mar 2026

MULTI award-winning five-star hotel and spa resort, Seaham Hall, is opening a new chapter as it celebrates its people, moments and memories across its 25 years in the North East. Set on the dramatic Durham Heritage Coast, Seaham Hall will celebrate its 25th anniversary on 19th March 2026, kicking...

Industry

12.5 million Brits plan UK holiday trip for Easter weekend, bringing £4.8 billion boost

27 Mar 2026

VisitEngland’s Easter 'Trip-Tracker' survey, published today, indicates that 12.5 million Brits are planning an overnight holiday trip in the UK for the Easter weekend, bringing an estimated £4.8 billion boost to the economy. This is also more than the 7.4 million Brits who are planning a trip...

Industry

County Celebrates Success at North East Tourism Awards

20 Mar 2026

Durham’s visitor economy is celebrating a strong showing at the prestigious Destination North East England Tourism Awards, with businesses and organisations across the county recognised for excellence. The annual awards brought together more than 450 industry leaders at...

Industry

North East’s best tourism and hospitality spots crowned at tourism awards ceremony

20 Mar 2026

Last night’s Destination North East England Tourism Awards with LNER revealed the best places to visit, taste, stay and experience in North East England. The annual ceremony, sponsored by train operator LNER and now in its 24th year, brought over 450 businesses, regional and national leaders...

Industry

Dinner through the centuries: Kynren launches Time Travellers’ Feast in County Durham

19 Mar 2026

Guests can dine through the centuries with Romans, Tudors and Vikings in a brand-new immersive pre-show feast before experiencing Kynren – An Epic Tale of England. Kynren is adding a new layer to its storytelling this summer with the launch of The Time Travellers’ Feast, a brand-new premium...

Industry

Newly revealed medieval wall painting sheds light on Durham Castle’s high-status past

18 Mar 2026

A hidden section of medieval wall painting has been uncovered by archaeologists at one of North East England’s iconic landmarks – giving clues to its grand past. Revealed during renovations at Durham Castle, in Durham City, the decorative artwork is thought to date from the late 13th to early...

Industry

Celebrating County Durham Day

16 Mar 2026

A series of free events will take place this week to celebrate County Durham Day. Durham County Council has organised a range of family-friendly activities on Friday (20 March) to showcase the county’s heritage, history and community spirit. The council’s libraries will mark the day with...

Industry

World’s oldest crowned ‘Railway of the Year’

13 Mar 2026

The Tanfield Railway in County Durham has been named the best railway in the country at a prestigious awards ceremony. The line, which celebrated its 300th anniversary during 2025, was presented with the ‘Railway of the Year’ award at the Heritage Railway Association Annual Awards. The event in...