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All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Industry
11.6 million Brits plan a domestic holiday in the UK during festive season, bringing £3.3 billion boost to economy
19 Dec 2025
Survey shows that visiting friends and family and going out for a Christmas meal are most popular festive activities. VisitEngland’s Christmas Trip Tracker Survey released today, 18 December, shows that 11.6 million Brits are planning an overnight holiday trip in the UK during the Christmas and...
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Industry
S&DR200 Celebrates a year of storytelling through the arts
17 Dec 2025
Since March 2025, S&DR200 has captured the imagination of hundreds of thousands of people from across the globe with a vibrant cultural programme that has used culture as a tool to tell stories of international importance. Artists, practitioners, historians and storytellers were asked...
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Industry
Seaham celebrates first-ever direct train link to London
17 Dec 2025
Seaham celebrates first-ever direct train link to London with historic Grand Central launch. Open access operator Grand Central have launched its first-ever direct services between Seaham and London. This historic launch will provide four new services to London, cementing Grand Central’s...
Read More about Seaham celebrates first-ever direct train link to LondonFunding in store for Beamish Museum to help increase access to collections
16 Dec 2025
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North is celebrating being awarded £49,000 from Art Fund, the national charity for museums and galleries, to improve access to its collections. The funding is part of a total of £1.3million awarded through the latest round of Art Fund’s Reimagine programme,...
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Industry
VisitEngland announces Tourism Superstar finalists for 2026
15 Dec 2025
VisitEngland has today, 15 December, revealed the 10 finalists to make the shortlist of its Tourism Superstar competition. VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar competition, now in its 14th year, seeks out champions working in tourism who provide fantastic experiences for visitors, as well as...
Read More about VisitEngland announces Tourism Superstar finalists for 2026Raby launches wellness series for the New Year
11 Dec 2025
A leading north east lifestyle destination has introduced a new wellness programme, designed to encourage renewal, reflection and reconnection in the new year. Raby Castle, Park and Gardens has teamed up with holistic wellness brand, Guid-ed, to create the Raby Reset, a four-part series featuring...
Read More about Raby launches wellness series for the New Year20 years of Durham Brass Festival
8 Dec 2025
A North East music festival promises to be bigger and better than ever as it celebrates two decades of bringing one of the biggest celebrations of brass to the region. Durham Brass Festival is back next year, from Sunday 12 to Sunday 19 July, for a week packed with spectacular performances, new...
Read More about 20 years of Durham Brass FestivalThe Light offers a bright future for County Durham culture
5 Dec 2025
The name of a new cultural venue that will boost Durham City’s visitor offer and provide a home for creativity and innovation has been announced. The Light will bring together art and science in an engaging space where visitors will be able to view internationally significant exhibitions; artists...
Read More about The Light offers a bright future for County Durham cultureDurham Community Action celebrates turning 90!
4 Dec 2025
Durham Community Action, the voluntary sector infrastructure organisation for County Durham, celebrated it’s 90th birthday last week. The organisation provides advice, support and assistance to frontline groups operating in the Voluntary and Community Sector and to various communities of interest...
Read More about Durham Community Action celebrates turning 90!County Durham hotel has couple saying I do to new wedding accommodation
3 Dec 2025
A luxery addition to a boutique North East hotel is already proving a hit, despite it not opening until April. Bowburn Hall Hotel at near Durham has unveiled its plans for the Cottage Suite, which is now available for bookings for the night before wedding ceremonies. The former staff accommodation...
Read More about County Durham hotel has couple saying I do to new wedding accommodationThe Story wins national award
3 Dec 2025
County Durham’s newest culture, heritage and registration venue has been recognised for its contribution to the community with a national award. The Story was among the winners crowned at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence. The Durham County Council venue...
Read More about The Story wins national awardChristmas returns to Auckland Palace with an expanded festive food experience
26 Nov 2025
Christmas is returning to Auckland Palace in Bishop Auckland, bringing with it an expanded festive food experience for visitors to enjoy throughout the season. From indulgent afternoon teas in Bishop’s Kitchen to festive tapas at El Castillo and street food in Santa’s Village, this year’s...
Read More about Christmas returns to Auckland Palace with an expanded festive food experienceRemarkable Neapolitan Nativity returns to Auckland Palace for Christmas
25 Nov 2025
Bishop Auckland will be the only place in the UK where people can see an elaborate 18th-century nativity scene from Naples this festive season, comprising over 400 intricately crafted figures depicting the birth of Jesus Christ. The Auckland Project will present The Auckland Palace...
Read More about Remarkable Neapolitan Nativity returns to Auckland Palace for ChristmasVintage fairground ride returns to North East England for the first time since the 1960s
24 Nov 2025
Lightning Skid returns to Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town, from December 4-7 Bishop Auckland, Durham, November 24, 2025 - The Lightning Skid, a long-forgotten vintage fairground ride, returns to North East England this December for the first time since the late 1960s. A traditional flat-ride,...
Read More about Vintage fairground ride returns to North East England for the first time since the 1960sChristmas Has Arrived at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
24 Nov 2025
Enjoy Christmas Daytimes at Beamish Museum every day until Wednesday, 24th December 2025! From twinkling decorations to delicious seasonal treats, nostalgic music and hands-on activities, the award-winning County Durham open air museum is brimming with Christmas cheer, offering something for...
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