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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

Durham Restaurant Week returns at end of January

21 Jan 2026

Durham Restaurant Week is set to return at the end of January, serving up a tempting menu of cut-price deals to help diners banish the winter blues and give city centre businesses a welcome post-Christmas boost. Running from January 30 to February 6, the popular event will see restaurants across...

Industry

New report from VisitBritain/VisitEngland shows tourism worth £147 billion to UK economy

21 Jan 2026

Tourism’s importance to the British economy is highlighted in major new research from national tourism agency VisitBritain/VisitEngland, demonstrating the industry’s significant economic contribution to local communities nationwide and its potential for growth. The report 'Economic Value of...

Industry

Auckland Palace Archaeology goes on public view in Bishop Auckland 'Open Lab'

21 Jan 2026

Archaeologists uncovering the hidden history of Auckland Palace are inviting the public behind the scenes as historic finds from eight years of excavations are analysed in a new ‘open laboratory’ in Bishop Auckland town centre. The open lab launched on Friday, 16 January, at Hearth (formerly...

Industry

The Auckland Project awarded nationally recognised museum accreditation

14 Jan 2026

The Auckland Project has been awarded Accredited Museum status by Arts Council England for Auckland Palace, Faith Museum, Spanish Gallery, and Mining Art Gallery. Accreditation, run by Arts Council England on behalf of the UK Accreditation Partnership, is the industry benchmark for well-run museums...

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...

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...

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...

Industry

Funding 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,...

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...

Industry

Raby 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...

Industry

20 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...

Industry

The 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...

Industry

Durham 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...

Industry

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...

Industry

The 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...