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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
Format: 30-12-2023
Views invited to help conserve World Heritage Site Industry

Views invited to help conserve World Heritage Site

23 Oct 2025

Views are being sought on a new management plan aimed at conserving the beauty of Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral for generations to come. The Durham City landmark was the first UK cultural heritage site to be included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1986. In preparation to celebrate the...

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Final Lumiere to take place in 2025 Industry

Final Lumiere to take place in 2025

23 Oct 2025

Artichoke, the UK’s leading producer of ambitious public art, and Durham County Council, have today announced that this year’s Lumiere will be the final edition in Durham. The UK’s landmark light art biennial will illuminate the city one last time from Thursday 13 – Saturday 15 November...

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VisitBritain/VisitEngland activity boosts economy by £562 million as agency sets out plans to drive growth Industry

VisitBritain/VisitEngland activity boosts economy by £562 million as agency sets out plans to drive growth

23 Oct 2025

International visitors spent an additional £562 million across Britain as a result of activity by national tourism agency VisitBritain/VisitEngland, latest figures show. Results also show that 60% of this estimatedadditional spend, £336 million, was in destinations outside of London. The agency...

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Trader applications open for Bishop Food Festival Industry

Trader applications open for Bishop Food Festival

22 Oct 2025

Traders can now apply to be part of one of the region’s biggest food festivals. Bishop Auckland Food Festival returns next spring, on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April, promising two days of fun, family entertainment and food. Thousands are expected to flock to Bishop Auckland town centre across...

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VisitBritain/VisitEngland Annual Review 2024/25 Industry

VisitBritain/VisitEngland Annual Review 2024/25

22 Oct 2025

Behind the scenes: driving regional growth through the visitor economy VisitEngland have launched their Annual Review, announcing that international visitors spent an additional £562 million across Britain as a result of our activity in 2024/25. Results also show that 60% of this estimated...

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Dalton Park's fang-tastic October half term line-up Industry

Dalton Park's fang-tastic October half term line-up

21 Oct 2025

The North East’s largest outlet shopping destination, Dalton Park, has revealed its unmissable October Half Term line-up, packed with fang-tastically fun activities for the whole family. From a spooky Halloween bus and wicked witches to ghastly gifts, magical mini-golf and frightening fun, Dalton...

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S&DR200 flagship anniversary event attracts over 100,000 visitors from across the world in a spectacular celebration of railway heritage Industry

S&DR200 flagship anniversary event attracts over 100,000 visitors from across the world in a spectacular celebration of railway heritage

17 Oct 2025

Organisers of the S&DR200 festival have announced that the Anniversary Journey, the flagship week of the 12 month celebrations, was a phenomenal success, attracting an estimated 100,000 visitors to County Durham and Tees Valley. Visitors travelled from across the globe — including America,...

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Shortlist of the North East's best places to visit, stay, taste and experience revealed Industry

Shortlist of the North East's best places to visit, stay, taste and experience revealed

15 Oct 2025

The businesses competing in the 2026 Destination North East England Tourism Awards have been announced, after hundreds of entries were whittled down. The Destination North East England Tourism Awards have been celebrating the best visitor economy businesses in the area for over two decades, with...

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Bishop Auckland College and The Auckland Project sign landmark partnership to boost skills, jobs and culture Industry

Bishop Auckland College and The Auckland Project sign landmark partnership to boost skills, jobs and culture

15 Oct 2025

Bishop Auckland College and The Auckland Project (TAP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a strategic partnership that will strengthen skills development, create new employment opportunities, and enhance the town’s cultural and visitor economy. The collaboration will see...

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Raby Castle to open for new Christmas experience for the first time in 50 years Industry

Raby Castle to open for new Christmas experience for the first time in 50 years

13 Oct 2025

Raby Castle will be opening its doors during the festive period for the first time in five decades to show the castle decorated for Christmas, designed by custodian and creative director, Lady Barnard. This will be a chance for visitors to experience how the Vane family enjoyed Christmas at the...

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Bank of England Governor at Beamish Museum for business leaders’ event Industry

Bank of England Governor at Beamish Museum for business leaders’ event

9 Oct 2025

The Governor of the Bank of England visited Beamish, The Living Museum of the North today (Wednesday, 8th October 2025) for an event attended by the region’s business leaders. During his visit to the County Durham museum, Andrew Bailey delivered a presentation on the outlook for the UK economy to...

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Durham Wine Week Industry

Durham Wine Week

8 Oct 2025

If your visitors are looking for something different, look no further than Durham Wine Week taking place 10th-19th October. Durham Wine Week offers a unique opportunity for your guests to discover and explore the vibrant wine scene in Durham City at a discounted price. There are numerous venues...

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Durham food and drink producers given the chance to showcase their goods in Westminster Visit County Durham

Durham food and drink producers given the chance to showcase their goods in Westminster

7 Oct 2025

Food and drink producers from across the county are being offered a unique opportunity to take centre stage in Westminster in January, thanks to an exciting new initiative from North East rail operator Lumo. In celebration of British Food Fortnight, Lumo is partnering with Food & Drink North...

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Jane Ruffer appointed CEO of The Auckland Project Industry

Jane Ruffer appointed CEO of The Auckland Project

3 Oct 2025

The Auckland Project has appointed Jane Ruffer as CEO, marking a new chapter for the charity she co-founded with Jonathan Ruffer more than a decade ago. With a background as a doctor, school governor and trustee at several charities, Jane brings decades of leadership experience and a deep...

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North East Screen celebrates 3 years of big impacts and bigger ambitions Industry

North East Screen celebrates 3 years of big impacts and bigger ambitions

29 Sep 2025

North East Screen is proud to unveil its 3 Years of Big Impacts Report (2022–2025), showcasing a remarkable period of growth in a difficult global climate. North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP) investments across the North East is creating opportunities for the resilient world...

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