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All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
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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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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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...
Read More about VisitBritain/VisitEngland activity boosts economy by £562 million as agency sets out plans to drive growthTrader 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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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...
Read More about VisitBritain/VisitEngland Annual Review 2024/25Dalton 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...
Read More about Dalton Park's fang-tastic October half term line-upS&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,...
Read More about S&DR200 flagship anniversary event attracts over 100,000 visitors from across the world in a spectacular celebration of railway heritageShortlist 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...
Read More about Shortlist of the North East's best places to visit, stay, taste and experience revealedBishop 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...
Read More about Bishop Auckland College and The Auckland Project sign landmark partnership to boost skills, jobs and cultureRaby 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...
Read More about Raby Castle to open for new Christmas experience for the first time in 50 yearsBank 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...
Read More about Bank of England Governor at Beamish Museum for business leaders’ eventDurham 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...
Read More about Durham Wine WeekDurham 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...
Read More about Durham food and drink producers given the chance to showcase their goods in WestminsterJane 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...
Read More about Jane Ruffer appointed CEO of The Auckland ProjectNorth 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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