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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

Highest civic honour awarded to Weardale volunteers

19 May 2025

The highest civic honour in County Durham has been bestowed to one of the founders of the Weardale Museum and volunteers who have helped restore the area’s heritage railway line. David Heatherington and the Weardale Railway Trust have been presented with Chairman’s Medals by Durham County...

Industry

Read all about it: Seven Stories opens doors to sister site, Two Tales in Durham

15 May 2025

Two Tales is officially open on Durham’s high street with an exciting launch weekend for stakeholders, friends, local families and supporters of Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children’s Books beginning this Friday 16 May with a welcome to funders and supporters of the project. Seven...

Industry

Kynren begins work on major show for its time travelling theme park

15 May 2025

Following recent planning approval, development has now begun on one of the flagship experiences within Kynren – The Storied Lands, the UK’s first live-action historical theme park. Set to open in summer 2026 alongside four other monumental shows and immersive experiences, The Lost Feather is...

Industry

Durham shortlisted for national group travel award

15 May 2025

Durham has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Group Travel World Awards 2025. The county has been chosen as a finalist by Group Travel Organisers in the Group Travel World Club which is made up of people who have visited and enjoyed their trip so much that they have chosen it as a finalist...

Industry

Tourism’s importance to social cohesion and wellbeing highlighted in new research from VisitEngland

15 May 2025

New research published today by VisitEngland demonstrates the positive cultural and social impacts that tourism has on local communities across the UK. The report - ‘The Social Value of Tourism’ – found significantly higher levels of community pride, sense of wellbeing and social cohesion...

Industry

Domestic Sentiment Tracker

14 May 2025

VisitEngland's latest Domestic Sentiment Tracker shows that perceptions of the cost of living crisis have significantly worsened, reflecting global uncertainty throughout April with US tariffs. In April 2025, 60% of UK adults felt that the worst of the crisis was still to come, the highest...

Industry

Attractions Marketing Conference

14 May 2025

This year's National Attractions Marketing Conference takes place on Thursday 5th June at Drayton Manor Theme Park & Resort. The conference programme and its 20 speakers on marketing attractions are featured at www.attractionsmarketing.co.uk. All Visit County Durham Partners can access special...

Industry

Accommodation Provider Event

14 May 2025

Accommodation providers are invited to attend a familiarisation visit to Auckland Palace, Gardens & Faith Museum on Thursday 22nd May 2025. The day will begin with refreshments at 10am followed by a short tour of Auckland Palace. Guests will have the opportunity to explore The Auckland...

Industry

Phishing Email Warning

14 May 2025

Several partners have contacted us to advise that they have been receiving emails purporting to be from WordPress, asking the recipient to verify their email address with visitcountydurham.org. This email has not been sent by nor is it associated with Visit County Durham. If you have received an...

Industry

Durham Fringe Festival returns with its most exciting lineup to date

8 May 2025

Between 23rd and 27th July 2025, Durham Fringe Festival will host a spectacular array of performing arts across nine Durham City Centre venues. Audiences will be invited to explore over 110 unique acts across a programme of 270+ performances. Genres include theatre, music, stand-up comedy, comedy...

Industry

Walking Month

7 May 2025

May is National Walking Month 2025, a campaign to encourage people across all ages and backgrounds to get outside and embrace the simple, yet profound health benefits of walking. Durham offers a variety of walking routes from the Northern Saints Trails, walks around the North Pennines National...

Industry

Accessibility Clinics Reminder

7 May 2025

As part of the Everybody Welcome programme, we are offering 1:1 online business clinics undertaken by Chris Veitch and Jane Cooper from Access and Inclusion UK. Get tailored advice and guidance on making your business more accessible. The sessions are running until the end of June 2025. Register...

Visit County Durham

A message from Visit County Durham's Managing Director, Michelle Gorman

30 Apr 2025

Spring, is of course, a season of new beginnings, so it is very fitting that we are celebrating the launch of Durham Story - an exciting new approach to promoting the county. The place brand was recently unveiled to over 80 stakeholders who attended the launch event at Gala Durham. The event,...

Industry

Durham Shortlisted!

30 Apr 2025

Durham has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Group Leisure & Travel Awards 2025. The county was nominated for Best UK Destination by readers of Group Leisure and Travel magazine and subsequently voted on by tour operators and group travel organisers. T op attractions in the county have also...

Industry

Green Tourism Opportunity

30 Apr 2025

The deadline for visitor economy businesses to secure Green Tourism or Green Meetings certification has been extended until 30th June. Businesses that successfully submit for assessment by 30th June 2025 will receive extended fully funded membership until 30th June 2026 through Destination North...