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Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
TEDxDurhamUniversity Returns to Durham with Inspiring Line-Up of Global Speakers
24 Apr 2026
Durham, United Kingdom – 2 May 2026 — TEDxDurhamUniversity is set to return on Saturday 2 May 2026 at Redhills Miners Hall, bringing together an exceptional line-up of speakers from academia, industry, and public life for an afternoon of ideas, innovation, and thought-provoking discussion....
Read More about TEDxDurhamUniversity Returns to Durham with Inspiring Line-Up of Global SpeakersTop street bands lined up for Durham Brass Festival
24 Apr 2026
One of the region’s liveliest music festivals is bringing the party to the streets once again this summer and everyone is invited. Streets of Brass will return to Durham City on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July as part of Durham Brass Festival, a highlight of Durham County Council’s festival and...
Read More about Top street bands lined up for Durham Brass FestivalSt George’s Day celebrations across County Durham
20 Apr 2026
Celebrations are taking place across County Durham this week to mark St George’s Day. Durham County Council has organised a range of family-friendly activities to celebrate St George’s Day on Thursday (23 April). The day itself will be marked with a series of engaging activities designed to...
Read More about St George’s Day celebrations across County DurhamBishop Auckland Food Festival 2026: a roaring success
20 Apr 2026
Organisers have hailed Bishop Auckland Food Festival a resounding success after the event filled tummies and put smiles on faces once again. The free-to-attend Durham County Council event took place Saturday and Sunday 18 and 19 April and saw crowds flocking into the town’s Market Place both...
Read More about Bishop Auckland Food Festival 2026: a roaring successConstruction of new County Durham cultural venue complete
16 Apr 2026
Work to create a new cultural venue and tourist attraction in Durham City has reached an important milestone, with the main construction phase now complete. Set to open this summer, The Light represents a major investment in creativity, culture and community. It will bring together art, history and...
Read More about Construction of new County Durham cultural venue complete
Industry
Leading UK florist inspires students during visit to East Durham College ahead of RHS Chelsea Flower Show
14 Apr 2026
Students at East Durham College received expert guidance from one of the UK’s most celebrated florists during a special visit to the college’s Houghall Campus yesterday (19 March). Renowned floral designer Simon Lycett—known for his work on royal events, with high-profile clients including...
Read More about Leading UK florist inspires students during visit to East Durham College ahead of RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Industry
VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 venue and date announced
13 Apr 2026
VisitEngland has today, 9 April, announced that this year’s VisitEngland Awards for Excellence will be held at Aerospace Bristol, under the wings of Concorde Alpha Foxtrot, the supersonic passenger jet, on 3 June. Finalists from 21 local competitions will win Gold, Silver...
Read More about VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026 venue and date announcedDalton Park recognised with double win at North East Tourism Awards
2 Apr 2026
Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors, the North East’s largest outlet shopping destination, has secured a double win at the North East Tourism Awards, achieving Gold in the Regenerative Tourism category and Silver for the Accessible and Inclusive Award. The recognition reinforces Dalton Park’s...
Read More about Dalton Park recognised with double win at North East Tourism AwardsRaby volunteer awarded third place at National Tourism Superstar award
31 Mar 2026
A volunteer guide at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens has finished in the top three in VisitEngland’s national Tourism Superstar award. 87-year-old Jimmy Nicol was one of ten finalists in the prestigious national competition which seeks out champions working in tourism who provide fantastic...
Read More about Raby volunteer awarded third place at National Tourism Superstar awardSeaham Hall opens its doors to 25 years of stories
30 Mar 2026
MULTI award-winning five-star hotel and spa resort, Seaham Hall, is opening a new chapter as it celebrates its people, moments and memories across its 25 years in the North East. Set on the dramatic Durham Heritage Coast, Seaham Hall will celebrate its 25th anniversary on 19th March 2026, kicking...
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Industry
12.5 million Brits plan UK holiday trip for Easter weekend, bringing £4.8 billion boost
27 Mar 2026
VisitEngland’s Easter 'Trip-Tracker' survey, published today, indicates that 12.5 million Brits are planning an overnight holiday trip in the UK for the Easter weekend, bringing an estimated £4.8 billion boost to the economy. This is also more than the 7.4 million Brits who are planning a trip...
Read More about 12.5 million Brits plan UK holiday trip for Easter weekend, bringing £4.8 billion boostCounty Celebrates Success at North East Tourism Awards
20 Mar 2026
Durham’s visitor economy is celebrating a strong showing at the prestigious Destination North East England Tourism Awards, with businesses and organisations across the county recognised for excellence. The annual awards brought together more than 450 industry leaders at...
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Industry
North East’s best tourism and hospitality spots crowned at tourism awards ceremony
20 Mar 2026
Last night’s Destination North East England Tourism Awards with LNER revealed the best places to visit, taste, stay and experience in North East England. The annual ceremony, sponsored by train operator LNER and now in its 24th year, brought over 450 businesses, regional and national leaders...
Read More about North East’s best tourism and hospitality spots crowned at tourism awards ceremonyDinner through the centuries: Kynren launches Time Travellers’ Feast in County Durham
19 Mar 2026
Guests can dine through the centuries with Romans, Tudors and Vikings in a brand-new immersive pre-show feast before experiencing Kynren – An Epic Tale of England. Kynren is adding a new layer to its storytelling this summer with the launch of The Time Travellers’ Feast, a brand-new premium...
Read More about Dinner through the centuries: Kynren launches Time Travellers’ Feast in County DurhamNewly revealed medieval wall painting sheds light on Durham Castle’s high-status past
18 Mar 2026
A hidden section of medieval wall painting has been uncovered by archaeologists at one of North East England’s iconic landmarks – giving clues to its grand past. Revealed during renovations at Durham Castle, in Durham City, the decorative artwork is thought to date from the late 13th to early...
Read More about Newly revealed medieval wall painting sheds light on Durham Castle’s high-status past