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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
Format: 30-12-2023
Green Tourism opportunity Industry

Green Tourism opportunity

17 Jul 2024

Boost your business and contribute to the sustainable regeneration of North East England with fully funded Green Tourism membership for the first year and 50% and 25% discounts in the second and third years respectively. The accreditation helps you evidence your sustainability credentials to...

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Kynren volunteer crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2024 Visit County Durham

Kynren volunteer crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2024

17 Jul 2024

A key member of one of Durham’s star attractions has been crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2024. Wendy Wilshere, Head of Casting and Engagement at 11 Arches- the organisation behind  Kynren, secured the most public votes in the annual competition, which is organised by Visit County Durham,...

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Kynren kicks off summer season with a successful preview night Industry

Kynren kicks off summer season with a successful preview night

16 Jul 2024

In eager anticipation of the start of its summer season, Kynren – An Epic Tale of England hosted its preview night, inviting friends and family of the 1,000 strong cast and crew to witness the magic in Bishop Auckland. Performing to a crowd in the 8,000-seater tribune, Kynren’s ensemble brought...

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Beamish named region’s most visited attraction and among top nationally Industry

Beamish named region’s most visited attraction and among top nationally

15 Jul 2024

Beamish, The Living Museum of the North has been named the North East’s most visited attraction and among the top in the country, in a new VisitEngland report. The museum’s visitor numbers increased to 801,756 in 2023, making it top in the region and the 17th most visited paid-for attraction...

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Curtain comes down on Durham Brass Festival 2024 Industry

Curtain comes down on Durham Brass Festival 2024

15 Jul 2024

World Heritage Site Durham Cathedral, care homes, schools, market places, parks and all manner of other venues. All have resonated with the joyous sounds of live music, singing, chat and laughter; and witnessed dancing aplenty and smiles galore. Over the course of a week, Durham Brass Festival 2024...

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Auckland Castle, Auckland Tower and Faith Museum named amongst best buildings in the UK Industry

Auckland Castle, Auckland Tower and Faith Museum named amongst best buildings in the UK

15 Jul 2024

Auckland Castle, Auckland Tower and the Faith Museum in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, have been named amongst the UK’s best new buildings in this year’s RIBA National Awards. The RIBA’s awards programme recognises the UK’s best new architecture and 26 winners have been selected for 2024,...

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Viking invasion hits Bishop Auckland ahead of Kynren 2024 show Industry

Viking invasion hits Bishop Auckland ahead of Kynren 2024 show

12 Jul 2024

Full of sparks, sword fights and sheep, Kynren’s cast and crew is putting together the finishing touches at its pre-show entertainment experience for its 2024 season. Audiences at this year’s Kynren in County Durham will encounter Return of The Vikings, a new experience featuring an authentic...

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Boost for Durham as new developments drive growth in the visitor economy Visit County Durham

Boost for Durham as new developments drive growth in the visitor economy

12 Jul 2024

Latest tourism figures show a major boost for Durham’s economy as the county builds on its bumper £1bn milestone achieved in 2022, with new attractions playing a key role in helping the county reach a new record.

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Locomotion will host a spectacular six-week summer festival, including a four-week visit from iconic locomotive Flying Scotsman. Industry

Locomotion will host a spectacular six-week summer festival, including a four-week visit from iconic locomotive Flying Scotsman.

12 Jul 2024

Locomotion will host a spectacular six-week summer festival, including a four-week visit from iconic locomotive Flying Scotsman.    Summer at Locomotion will take place from 20 July to 1 September, with Flying Scotsman in residence from 20 July to 18 August.   Flying...

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1950s cinema and shops now open at Beamish Museum Industry

1950s cinema and shops now open at Beamish Museum

8 Jul 2024

A 1950s cinema, toy shop, electrical shop and record store have opened to visitors at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North today (6th July). The new 1950s Town exhibits include a recreation of the Grand cinema, from Ryhope, in Sunderland; a toy shop named after Romer Parrish in Middlesbrough; A...

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Warriors prepare for battle during Kynren rehearsals in County Durham Industry

Warriors prepare for battle during Kynren rehearsals in County Durham

4 Jul 2024

Kynren’s cast and crew have been training with the show’s experienced choreographers to master the art of war ahead of the first show on Saturday 27th July.  Volunteers involved in combat scenes help to tell the epic tale of England which follows 2,000 years of history on...

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Visitor Ready Industry

Visitor Ready

3 Jul 2024

VisitEngland and The AA have launched Visitor Ready which empowers you to showcase your commitment to compliance with core standards, to assure customers you have the necessary checks in place. Visitor Ready is free and managed online, so make sure you sign-up today and give your customers...

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Green Tourism Workshop Industry

Green Tourism Workshop

3 Jul 2024

Green Tourism and Destination North East England are hosting a Green Tourism Business Engagement Webinar for all visitor economy, meetings and events businesses in the region on Tuesday 16th July between 11am-12pm. Find out about the Green Tourism/Meetings programme and how your business can...

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Traders announced for Seaham Food Festival Industry

Traders announced for Seaham Food Festival

3 Jul 2024

From loaded mac and cheese, Mediterranean mezze, to creamy cheesecakes and sweet treats, the traders have been announced for Seaham Food Festival. Durham County Council has confirmed that more than 120 traders will be setting up shop along Seaham’s coastline on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4...

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Tourism awards masterclass Industry

Tourism awards masterclass

26 Jun 2024

We are pleased to offer businesses looking to submit an application to the Tourism Awards 2025 the chance to hear from tourism expert Nell Barrington at a FREE online application masterclass taking place on Wednesday 10th July between 2:30pm and 3:30pm. If you have questions about the Tourism...

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