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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

The Story progresses to national finals

9 Jul 2025

County Durham’s newest culture, heritage and registration venue has been recognised for its design and contribution to the community in two prestigious awards. The Story has marked its first year with commendations in the Constructing Excellence North East (CENE) and regional Royal Town Planning...

Industry

Kynren's preview night a roaring success ahead of milestone season

8 Jul 2025

Kynren’s 1,000-strong volunteer cast and crew wowed friends and family on Saturday night during the final dress rehearsal for the spectacular tenth anniversary season of Kynren – An Epic Tale of England. The summer run officially begins on Saturday 19th July in Bishop Auckland. The breathtaking...

Industry

Eight years of excavations reveal Bishop Auckland’s medieval palace

3 Jul 2025

After almost a decade of digging, and over 1,000 diggers, Durham University’s Department of Archaeology and The Auckland Project are coming to the end of a campaign of archaeological research to uncover the medieval past buried in the historic grounds of Auckland Palace. Since 2018, volunteers,...

Industry

Seaham Hall named one of the best hotels in the world by prestigious global ranking

2 Jul 2025

Seaham Hall, the iconic five-star boutique hotel on the Durham Heritage Coast, has been officially named one of the best hotels in the world by La Liste, a globally respected authority on hotel excellence. This prestigious recognition places Seaham Hall among a select group of elite properties...

Industry

Raby Castle's lifestyle destination celebrates increase in visitors one year on

2 Jul 2025

A major restoration and redevelopment project at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens has celebrated its first birthday this month as well as an increase in yearly visitors. Following the opening of the ambitious scheme, Raby Castle, Park and Gardens has welcomed over 300,000 visitors in its first year...

Industry

Durham celebrates Independents’ Day UK with a weekend of local love

1 Jul 2025

Durham Markets joins national campaign to champion independent businesses Durham will be flying the flag for independent traders on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th July as part of Independents’ Day UK – a nationwide initiative that celebrates and promotes the UK’s independent retail and small...

Industry

Derwent Fest returns with support for local homeless charity

1 Jul 2025

Derwent Waterside Park, near Consett in County Durham, will come to life with tunes, tributes and twilight skies on 15-16 August with the return of Derwent Fest. Headlined by Sam Fender tribute - Sam OfFender, an unmissable line-up will transport festival-goers through the...

Industry

Durham named Best UK Destination at national award

27 Jun 2025

Durham has scooped the award as Best UK Destination as Beamish Museum is named Best UK Attraction at the Group Leisure & Travel Awards 2025. The county was voted for by readers of Group Leisure and Travel magazine following a shortlisting of other top UK locations, including the Isle...

Industry

Beamish, The Living Museum of the North wins £120,000 Art Fund of the Year 2025 Award

27 Jun 2025

Beamish, The Living Museum of the North has been announced as Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025. Rhiannon Hiles, Beamish’s Chief Executive, was presented with the £120,000 prize – the largest museum prize in the world – by Phil Wang, comedian and judge for Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025, at...

Industry

Package Travel Consultation

25 Jun 2025

The Department for Business and Trade is currently consulting on proposed changes to the 2018 Package Travel Regulations. The consultation includes reforming the domestic package market to exempt domestic (UK) holidays that do not contain a booked travel element from the regulations and further...

Industry

Tourism Awards Now Open

25 Jun 2025

Entries for the Destination North East England Tourism Awards 2026 are NOW OPEN! This is your chance to showcase the excellence and quality in your business, gain national recognition and celebrate your successes. With 19 categories ranging from camping and glamping to awards for the best visitor...

Industry

Iconic high-speed train to make historic visit to Weardale Railway

23 Jun 2025

Railway fans and families are in for a treat this summer as the legendary InterCity 125 High Speed Train (HST) makes a rare appearance on the scenic Weardale Railway. For one day only – Sunday 17 August – the iconic HST, made up of power cars 43089 and 43159, will run a special service between...

Industry

Mining Art Gallery marks 200 years of the Stockton & Darlington Railway with new exhibition

23 Jun 2025

Bishop Auckland’s Mining Art Gallery commemorates the railway that revolutionised the world with Fuelling the Railway Revolution, an evocative new exhibition. The exhibition celebrates the 200th anniversary of the first journey on the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR200), the world’s...

Industry

North East England invites travellers to visit… If they dare!

19 Jun 2025

Britain’s national tourism agency VisitBritain and Destination North East England have teamed up with 28 Years Later to invite visitors to discover some of the stunning locations featured in the highly anticipated film as part of a multi-channel co-promotional campaign. VisitBritain and...

Industry

Durham business amongst UK's top Regional Stars named in inaugural campaign

18 Jun 2025

Britain’s food heritage is in the spotlight thanks to Speciality Food Magazine and Speciality & Fine Food Fair’s Regional Stars initiative: a project designed to uncover the businesses most passionate about sharing an authentic taste of their region with food lovers far and wide. 25...