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

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Format: 29-12-2023

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Format: 30-12-2023

Industry

Winners of VisitEngland’s 2025 ROSE Award announced 

11 Sep 2025

VisitEngland has today Wednesday 10 September revealed this year’s winners of its Accommodation Quality Scheme 2025 ROSE Awards.  The ROSE (Recognition Of Service Excellence) Awards showcase the accommodation providers who deliver the warmest of welcomes and where the staff...

Industry

Accessibility Videos

11 Sep 2025

New introductory videos to VisitEngland’s popular Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Toolkit for Businesses are now available on the VisitEngland Academy Learning Platform. Recorded by toolkit author Emily Yates, the short videos take users through the structure and practical tools within the...

Industry

A festive family favourite to return to Auckland Palace

9 Sep 2025

AGLOW, one of the North East’s must-see experiences, will once again dazzle visitors to Auckland Palace in Bishop Auckland this festive season, with one of the tallest Christmas trees in the North, one of the longest outdoor light tunnels in the country, as well as dozens of other breathtaking...

Industry

New multi-day walking route launches in the North Pennines National Landscape

3 Sep 2025

This week marks the launch of the 301km (188-mile) Roof of England Walk – a new multi-day walking trail that explores the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark. The Roof of England Walk is a journey around the North Pennines, with its name reflecting its lofty location in...

Industry

North Pennines stargazing festival programme launches

27 Aug 2025

The programme has been launched for this year’s celebration of the dark skies of the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark. The ninth North Pennines Stargazing Festival will run from Wednesday 22 October to Sunday 2 November 2025, with a range of fun and informative events...

Industry

The Auckland Project invests in local skills with new hospitality training programme

26 Aug 2025

Staff and volunteers at The Auckland Project are being given the opportunity to attend hospitality training as part of a new initiative aimed at strengthening the region’s tourism and visitor economy. In partnership with Bishop Auckland College, The Auckland Project has created a bespoke...

Industry

Luxmuralis returns to Durham Cathedral as part of Magna Carta and the North exhibition

20 Aug 2025

Luxmuralis is returning for a fourth year to Durham Cathedral with The Storytellers. From Wednesday 8 to Sunday 12 October, visitors will be able to experience stunning light projections of manuscripts, stories and literature, all with an immersive soundscape throughout Durham Cathedral.Since 2022...

Industry

£4.1 billion boost to the economy estimated as 11.2 million Brits planning a holiday at home this August bank holiday

20 Aug 2025

£4.1 billion boost to the economy estimated as 11.2 million Brits planning a holiday at home this August bank holiday VisitEngland’s August bank holiday trip tracker survey, published today, shows that 11.2 million Brits are definitely planning an overnight holiday trip in the UK this bank...

Industry

Durham Cricket to host three England International fixtures at Banks Homes Riverside in 2026

14 Aug 2025

Durham Cricket is proud to announce that Banks Homes Riverside Stadium will host three major England international cricket matches in 2026, bringing top-tier men’s and women’s cricket to the North East. The stadium, one of the country’s most picturesque and fan-friendly venues, will welcome...

Industry

Durham Book Festival Announce Line-Up

14 Aug 2025

Durham Book Festival has launched its 2025 line-up for the county's annual book festival which takes place from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 October, celebrating the power of the written word. Produced by New Writing North, the Durham County Council event features a very special appearance from one of...

Industry

Raby Castle's Gardens Achieve Second Place in International Award

12 Aug 2025

Raby Castle’s recent landscape design scheme and remodelled 18th century Walled Gardens have achieved second place in the prestigious 2025 European Garden Awards. The achievement for the Durham destination was in the Management or Development of a Historic Park or Garden category, with the first...

Industry

Dalton Park launches new sustainable initiatives to enhance shopping experience

11 Aug 2025

Bike storage, e-bike chargers and hydration stations – make your shopping experience greener and even more convenient at Dalton Park.Dalton Park, the leading outlet shopping destination in the North East, is setting its standards high this summer with three more sustainable initiatives: new bike...

Industry

Kynren receives TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award during its tenth anniversary season

7 Aug 2025

Kynren – An Epic Tale of England has been recognised in Tripadvisor’s® Travellers’ Choice® Awards for 2025, as its tenth anniversary season continues. Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award winners are among the top 10% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor. This latest...

Industry

TripAdvisor names The Bowes Museum among its top 10% of attractions worldwide

7 Aug 2025

The Bowes Museum has been recognised in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2025.Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award winners are among the top 10% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor. As the world’s largest travel guidance platform, Tripadvisor has unparalleled...

Industry

Sun, sea and fabulous fare at Seaham Food Festival

4 Aug 2025

Thousands of people flocked to Seaham this weekend for two fun-packed days of great food, cookery demonstrations and live entertainment. Once again, Seaham Food Festival proved popular with food lovers of all ages, who travelled from across the region and beyond to join in the fun, From the finest...