Media Room
Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Step Into Stories at Beamish Museum This Summer
14 Jul 2026
Immerse yourselves in stories from the past during the Summer of Fun event, from 18th July to 31st August 2026 at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North. Choose from six exciting adventures and compete, collaborate, create and explore your way around the award-winning museum. Explore the many...
Read More about Step Into Stories at Beamish Museum This SummerDurham artist marks Visit County Durham's 20th anniversary
10 Jul 2026
County Durham artist and poet Lizzie Lovejoy unveiled a specially commissioned artwork and poem at Visit County Durham's annual Summer Garden Party last week, as part of celebrations to mark the organisation's 20th anniversary. The annual event, which took place in the gardens of Raby...
Read More about Durham artist marks Visit County Durham's 20th anniversaryUshaw catering supervisor crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2026
9 Jul 2026
A member of staff renowned for his exceptional customer service, genuine warmth and dedication to visitors has been crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2026. Kyle Gregory, Catering Supervisor at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens, secured the most public votes in the annual competition...
Read More about Ushaw catering supervisor crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2026Popular woodland adventure playground to increase in size
9 Jul 2026
A popular adventure playground will be increasing in size to provide families with more to discover. Almost as if stepping into Narnia, the trees will part to reveal the Hidden Forest, set across over an acre of magical woodland, where a secluded playscape is waiting for young adventurers to...
Read More about Popular woodland adventure playground to increase in sizeHidden garden immersive experience to launch for summer holidays at Raby
6 Jul 2026
An immersive Hidden Garden experience is heading to Raby Castle, Park and Gardens for the summer. Following the popular Castle in Bloom installation, which has seen Raby Castle and the visitor buildings throughout its grounds transformed with breathtaking arrangements inspired by nature, families...
Read More about Hidden garden immersive experience to launch for summer holidays at Raby
Industry
City of Durham Show returns this September to celebrate local produce, craft, and community
3 Jul 2026
Durham gardeners, crafters, and bakers are urged to come together this September and celebrate the return of the City of Durham Show, a much-loved event that is being revived by a group of local residents. The City of Durham Show ran for at least 60 years, becoming a feature of the local calendar,...
Read More about City of Durham Show returns this September to celebrate local produce, craft, and community
Industry
Bowie at The Bowes
1 Jul 2026
V&A announces national tour of highlights from David Bowie’s archive – travelling across the UK from November 2026. Today, the V&A and partner venues across the UK announce a landmark national tour celebrating the creativity and enduring cultural impact of David Bowie. Bringing together...
Read More about Bowie at The BowesSuccess of leisure complex at award-winning County Durham hotel leads to new opportunity for corporates
1 Jul 2026
The overwhelming success of the latest addition at Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa has led to the launch of its first-ever corporate opportunity. Last year the award-winning hotel opened The Pin, a unique leisure facility which offers a 43 bay, two tier TopTracer driving range, bowling alley,...
Read More about Success of leisure complex at award-winning County Durham hotel leads to new opportunity for corporates
Industry
Luxmuralis returns to Durham Cathedral with ‘Time’ this October
29 Jun 2026
This October, Luxmuralis returns to Durham Cathedral, inviting visitors to step into Time, an immersive light and sound experience exploring humanity, history and imagination. Running from Wednesday 7 October to Sunday 11 October 2026, the internationally acclaimed artistic collaboration will once...
Read More about Luxmuralis returns to Durham Cathedral with ‘Time’ this October
Industry
VisitEngland calls on nation to celebrate England’s coast
25 Jun 2026
VisitEngland is calling on tourism businesses, destinations, industry partners and the public across England to showcase the importance of coastal tourism during a dedicated week from 29 June to 5 July. The ‘My coast has the most…’ campaign...
Read More about VisitEngland calls on nation to celebrate England’s coastRamside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa takes top honour at prestigious awards
25 Jun 2026
THE ON-going investment and the continued rapid growth of a County Durham hotel has been recognised at one of the North East’s prestigious award ceremonies. Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa beat off strong competition to take the title of Larger Business of the Year at the North East Chamber of...
Read More about Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa takes top honour at prestigious awardsVisit County Durham supports media spotlight to North East England
25 Jun 2026
Visit County Durham helped showcase North East England to more than 200 leading travel journalists, influencers and tourism professionals as Media Getaway 2026 came to the region for the first time earlier this month. The three-day networking programme, organised...
Read More about Visit County Durham supports media spotlight to North East EnglandAmazing places to visit, dine, stay and experience encouraged to enter Tourism Awards
25 Jun 2026
With just over a month to go until entries close for the North East England Tourism Awards, visitor economy businesses from across the North East are being encouraged to enter before its too late. Celebrating the best hotels, eateries, attractions, camp sites, events, venues and more, the North...
Read More about Amazing places to visit, dine, stay and experience encouraged to enter Tourism AwardsOpening date confirmed for The Light
23 Jun 2026
An opening date has been announced for Durham City’s latest cultural attraction, heralding the start of an exciting new chapter for art, history and innovation in the North East. Durham County Council has confirmed The Light will open its doors on Saturday 22 August, with visitors invited to...
Read More about Opening date confirmed for The LightExhibition explores impact of war on the home front
15 Jun 2026
A powerful new exhibition exploring how conflict has shaped the people and places of County Durham is now open. A Debt Beyond Words focuses on the experiences of those connected to the Durham Light Infantry (DLI), as well as examining the wider experience of war and its impact on families and...
Read More about Exhibition explores impact of war on the home front