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Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Industry
First stage of historic walled garden remodelling nearing completion at Raby Castle
21 Mar 2023
The first stage of a redesign of Raby’s historic Walled Garden is nearing completion, which will see the launch of a grass amphitheatre this summer - the first of its kind in the north of England. A very special element of the Estate’s ambitious development programme known as ‘The Rising’,...
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Industry
On track for continued customer growth as LNER leads the way
17 Mar 2023
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) continues to lead the way when it comes to passenger growth and usage, topping the table for franchised operators for the seventh consecutive quarter. Between October and December 2022, passenger journeys were at 96 per cent when compared with the same period for...
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Industry
1950s cinema and shops underway at Beamish Museum
17 Mar 2023
Work is beginning on a cinema, toy shop and electrical shop in Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s 1950s Town. The museum is recreating The Grand Cinema from Ryhope in Sunderland, where visitors will be able to enjoy a 1950s cinema experience. A toy shop named after the popular Romer...
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Visit County Durham
Share your views
8 Mar 2023
Visit County Durham Supplier Partner Rural Business Network and National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise have been commissioned by Durham County Council to find out the needs and opportunities for rural businesses across the county to help shape future investment plans. They are holding a...
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Visit County Durham
ITB Berlin
8 Mar 2023
This week, Visit County Durham is attending the annual three day ITB Berlin, the world's leading travel trade event, to showcase the county to tour operators and travel agents from target overseas markets. The event attracts 160,000 visitors over the three days and Visit County Durham's presence...
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Visit County Durham
ExploreGB
1 Mar 2023
Visit County Durham is attending ExploreGB this week - VisitBritain's flagship international travel trade event. With one-to-one appointments with tour operators and travel agencies in the county's key inbound tourism markets, the event allows us to showcase what Durham has to offer.
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Visit County Durham
English Tourism Week
1 Mar 2023
English Tourism Week (ETW) gets underway from Friday 17th March to Sunday 26th March. ETW increases awareness amongst domestic and overseas visitors of the value and quality of the English tourism offer and encourages domestic travel. Celebrate the amazing people, businesses and destinations in...
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Visit County Durham
Durham City hosts UK launch of innovative litter app
27 Feb 2023
A mobile app that rewards residents and visitors for picking up litter has been launched in Durham City today (Friday 24 February) as part of the county’s commitment to becoming a sustainable destination.
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Industry
Delve into history at The Auckland Project
23 Feb 2023
The Auckland Project’s attractions reopen this week, offering visitors the opportunity to delve into the fascinating and often surprising history of Bishop Auckland. Visitors can look forward to a varied programme of events throughout the year, including exhibitions in the Mining Art Gallery...
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Visit County Durham
North East tourism organisations become first in England to be recognised with new national status
22 Feb 2023
Regional bodies leading on the promotion, marketing and development of the North East’s visitor economy are the first to be recognised by VisitEngland in a government programme to establish a new structure for the tourism industry. NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI), Visit County Durham, part of...
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Industry
Back on Track - Railway line from Bishop Auckland to Stanhope to reopen this spring
10 Feb 2023
The railway line from Bishop Auckland to Stanhope will reopen this spring for the first time in three years, thanks to an extensive restoration programme carried out by The Auckland Project. The Auckland Project acquired the 16-mile stretch of railway in January 2020 and has since been working to...
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Industry
Beamish Museum appoints Chair and Trustees to Board
10 Feb 2023
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North has announced the appointment of a Chair and trustees to its board. Chris Loughran has been appointed as Chair and will take up his role on 1st March, along with 10 new board members in the voluntary roles. The new trustees are David Alexander, Mauricio...
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Visit County Durham
National Occupancy Results
8 Feb 2023
England Occupancy Survey results for November 2022 have been published. When comparing November 2022 results with November 2021, room occupancy in November 2022 increased from 67% to 78% whilst bedspace occupancy increased from 47% to 54%. Evaluating trends across the 9 regions of England, all...
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Visit County Durham
Tourism Sentiment Report
8 Feb 2023
The Visit County Durham commissioned Tourism Sentiment report for January is now available, providing valuable insights for the county's tourism businesses. The score measures Durham's ability to generate positive word of mouth about our tourism offer through online conversations. This month, the...
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Industry
N’ice’ start to the Year of the Coast activity at Dalton Park
7 Feb 2023
Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination is set to support Visit County Durham’s Year of the Coast campaign with a free seaside themed Ice & Waves Trail event during February half term. Five stunning sculptures will be placed around the centre on Monday 20th February and there will be an...
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