Media Room
Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Industry
Winners of VisitEngland’s 2025 ROSE Award announced
11 Sep 2025
VisitEngland has today Wednesday 10 September revealed this year’s winners of its Accommodation Quality Scheme 2025 ROSE Awards. The ROSE (Recognition Of Service Excellence) Awards showcase the accommodation providers who deliver the warmest […]
Read More about Winners of VisitEngland’s 2025 ROSE Award announced
Industry
Accessibility Videos
11 Sep 2025
New introductory videos to VisitEngland’s popular Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Toolkit for Businesses are now available on the VisitEngland Academy Learning Platform. Recorded by toolkit author Emily Yates, the short […]
Read More about Accessibility Videos
Industry
A festive family favourite to return to Auckland Palace
9 Sep 2025
AGLOW, one of the North East’s must-see experiences, will once again dazzle visitors to Auckland Palace in Bishop Auckland this festive season, with one of the tallest Christmas trees in […]
Read More about A festive family favourite to return to Auckland Palace
Industry
New multi-day walking route launches in the North Pennines National Landscape
3 Sep 2025
This week marks the launch of the 301km (188-mile) Roof of England Walk – a new multi-day walking trail that explores the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark. […]
Read More about New multi-day walking route launches in the North Pennines National Landscape
Industry
North Pennines stargazing festival programme launches
27 Aug 2025
The programme has been launched for this year’s celebration of the dark skies of the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark. The ninth North Pennines Stargazing Festival will […]
Read More about North Pennines stargazing festival programme launches
Industry
The Auckland Project invests in local skills with new hospitality training programme
26 Aug 2025
Staff and volunteers at The Auckland Project are being given the opportunity to attend hospitality training as part of a new initiative aimed at strengthening the region’s tourism and visitor […]
Read More about The Auckland Project invests in local skills with new hospitality training programme
Industry
Luxmuralis returns to Durham Cathedral as part of Magna Carta and the North exhibition
20 Aug 2025
Luxmuralis is returning for a fourth year to Durham Cathedral with The Storytellers. From Wednesday 8 to Sunday 12 October, visitors will be able to experience stunning light projections of […]
Read More about Luxmuralis returns to Durham Cathedral as part of Magna Carta and the North exhibition
Industry
£4.1 billion boost to the economy estimated as 11.2 million Brits planning a holiday at home this August bank holiday
20 Aug 2025
£4.1 billion boost to the economy estimated as 11.2 million Brits planning a holiday at home this August bank holiday VisitEngland’s August bank holiday trip tracker survey, published today, shows […]
Read More about £4.1 billion boost to the economy estimated as 11.2 million Brits planning a holiday at home this August bank holiday
Industry
Durham Cricket to host three England International fixtures at Banks Homes Riverside in 2026
14 Aug 2025
Durham Cricket is proud to announce that Banks Homes Riverside Stadium will host three major England international cricket matches in 2026, bringing top-tier men’s and women’s cricket to the North […]
Read More about Durham Cricket to host three England International fixtures at Banks Homes Riverside in 2026
Industry
Durham Book Festival Announce Line-Up
14 Aug 2025
Durham Book Festival has launched its 2025 line-up for the county's annual book festival which takes place from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 October, celebrating the power of the written […]
Read More about Durham Book Festival Announce Line-Up
Industry
Raby Castle's Gardens Achieve Second Place in International Award
12 Aug 2025
Raby Castle’s recent landscape design scheme and remodelled 18th century Walled Gardens have achieved second place in the prestigious 2025 European Garden Awards. The achievement for the Durham destination was […]
Read More about Raby Castle's Gardens Achieve Second Place in International Award
Industry
Dalton Park launches new sustainable initiatives to enhance shopping experience
11 Aug 2025
Bike storage, e-bike chargers and hydration stations – make your shopping experience greener and even more convenient at Dalton Park.Dalton Park, the leading outlet shopping destination in the North East, […]
Read More about Dalton Park launches new sustainable initiatives to enhance shopping experience
Industry
Kynren receives TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award during its tenth anniversary season
7 Aug 2025
Kynren – An Epic Tale of England has been recognised in Tripadvisor’s® Travellers’ Choice® Awards for 2025, as its tenth anniversary season continues. Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award winners are among the […]
Read More about Kynren receives TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award during its tenth anniversary season
Industry
TripAdvisor names The Bowes Museum among its top 10% of attractions worldwide
7 Aug 2025
The Bowes Museum has been recognised in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2025.Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award winners are among the top 10% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor. As […]
Read More about TripAdvisor names The Bowes Museum among its top 10% of attractions worldwide
Industry
Sun, sea and fabulous fare at Seaham Food Festival
4 Aug 2025
Thousands of people flocked to Seaham this weekend for two fun-packed days of great food, cookery demonstrations and live entertainment. Once again, Seaham Food Festival proved popular with food lovers […]
Read More about Sun, sea and fabulous fare at Seaham Food Festival