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Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Dalton Park Outlet introduces new accessibility initiatives after being awarded Autism Acceptance Silver Award
30 Sep 2024
Dalton Park Outlet is delighted to announce it has introduced a range of initiatives designed to enhance accessibility and inclusivity for all visitors. From September 16th 2024, Dalton Park introduced Sensory Bags for children, in partnership with the North East Autism Society. The bags include...
Read More about Dalton Park Outlet introduces new accessibility initiatives after being awarded Autism Acceptance Silver AwardFirework spectacular set to light up the north east again in 2024
30 Sep 2024
Tickets are on sale now for the North East’s biggest fireworks spectacular. The ever-popular show, Pyromusical, returns to Bishop Auckland on Saturday 2nd November 2024. Now in its sixth year, the unmissable multi-sensory celebration will see fireworks illuminate the night sky above the...
Read More about Firework spectacular set to light up the north east again in 2024Faru launches new £40 menu offering luxury dining at a lower price
26 Sep 2024
Durham’s fine dining restaurant Faru has launched a new £40 menu to become ‘more accessible’ to diners. The Michelin-recommended restaurant, on Silver Street, is owned by Jake and Laura Siddle, who offer a signature 10-course tasting menu, at £98, and a five-course tasting menu, which is...
Read More about Faru launches new £40 menu offering luxury dining at a lower priceGrowth Fund business support
25 Sep 2024
Tourism and Hospitality businesses looking for help with marketing, distribution and booking systems can access support through the Durham Business Growth Programme which has been extended into the autumn. Apply now to receive a tailored action plan, access to masterclasses and specialist mentoring...
Read More about Growth Fund business supportGet involved: national marketing campaign
25 Sep 2024
Visit County Durham is undertaking a new national marketing campaign called 'Next Stop, Durham' to inspire those who have travelled through the county by rail or road, but never visited. Running from autumn 2024 to spring 2025, activity will include partnerships with national media titles, digital...
Read More about Get involved: national marketing campaignCounty Durham marina reaches full occupancy
24 Sep 2024
An award-winning marina is going from strength-to-strength, with all berths and commercial units now fully occupied. All 96 pontoon berths at Seaham Harbour Marina are now occupied by pleasure boats – the first time the facility has been full since the marina was officially opened in July 2013...
Read More about County Durham marina reaches full occupancyBishop Auckland’s Christmas town expands to 10 days of magical wonderland
23 Sep 2024
Bishop Auckland, is fast becoming known as the "Christmas Capital of the North East" and is set to dazzle once again as Christmas Town 2024 returns, extending its festive magic to a full 10-day celebration. From Friday, 29 November to Sunday, 8 December, the town’s historic market...
Read More about Bishop Auckland’s Christmas town expands to 10 days of magical wonderlandS&DR200: A festival celebrating the birth of the modern railway announces its programme today
19 Sep 2024
The 27 September 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) in the north east of England, which gave birth to the modern railway. To celebrate this landmark anniversary, the nine-month S&DR200 Festival will take place across County Durham...
Read More about S&DR200: A festival celebrating the birth of the modern railway announces its programme todayBishop Auckland is Aglow with the ultimate festive experience
19 Sep 2024
A sell-out Christmas light trail that dazzled visitors to Bishop Auckland last year, is returning this November and December with a range of new installations and updated route, complemented by a new indoor festive event, Christmas at the Palace. AGLOW at Auckland Palace, organised by The...
Read More about Bishop Auckland is Aglow with the ultimate festive experienceAccess guides offer
18 Sep 2024
Today's travellers want detailed and factual descriptions of venue accessibility in the form of an Accessibility Guide to empower them to make personal choices. To support this, VisitEngland is providing discounts to tourism businesses to help them provide quality-assured accessibility information...
Read More about Access guides offerVisit County Durham announces new Chair
18 Sep 2024
Visit County Durham Ltd has announced the formal appointment of its new Chair. Duncan Peake from Raby Estates will take on the role having held the post of Interim Chair since last June. Duncan has been on the board of directors at Visit County Durham for six years.
Read More about Visit County Durham announces new ChairEighth North Pennines Stargazing Festival programme launches
18 Sep 2024
The programme has been launched for this year’s celebration of the dark skies of the NorthPennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark. The eighth North Pennines Stargazing Festival will run from 25 October to 3 November 2024,with a range of fun and informative events spread across half...
Read More about Eighth North Pennines Stargazing Festival programme launchesTake a peek at the Pumpkin Forest at Auckland Palace
12 Sep 2024
For the first time Auckland Palace, the historic attraction and landmark in the centre of Bishop Auckland, is hosting a special event named ‘Pumpkin Forest’. The new light trail takes place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 4 – 27 October and daily from 28 – 31 October,...
Read More about Take a peek at the Pumpkin Forest at Auckland PalaceVisitor figures soar at Durham Cathedral during Peace Doves by Peter Walker
11 Sep 2024
Almost 80,000 people visited Durham Cathedral over the summer and enjoyed the thousands of paper Peace Doves suspended under Durham Cathedral’s historic Nave. Visitors from all around the world admired the art installation designed by Peter Walker, with many describing the collaborative artwork...
Read More about Visitor figures soar at Durham Cathedral during Peace Doves by Peter WalkerVisitEngland’s 2024 ROSE Award winners announced
11 Sep 2024
VisitEngland has today Wednesday 11 September revealed this year’s 100 winners of its ROSE Awards. The ROSE Awards showcase the accommodation providers who give the warmest of welcomes and where the staff provide incredible experiences for their customers irrespective of star rating, style or...
Read More about VisitEngland’s 2024 ROSE Award winners announced