Media Room
Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Waybeams renewal project successfully completed ahead of schedule 22 March, Stanhope, Weardale
21 Mar 2024
Weardale Railway is thrilled to announce the successful completion of the Waybeams Renewal Project, marking a significant milestone for the heritage railway company. The project, which commenced on 26th February, has been finished ahead of schedule, ensuring smooth operations in time for the Easter...
Read More about Waybeams renewal project successfully completed ahead of schedule 22 March, Stanhope, Weardale11 million Brits plan a UK holiday trip for the Easter weekend, bringing a £3.2 billion economic boost
21 Mar 2024
VisitEngland’s Easter Trip Tracker survey, published today, indicates that 11 million Brits are definitely planning an overnight holiday trip in the UK for the Easter weekend, bringing an estimated £3.2 billion boost to the economy. The figures show a significant increase on last year’s Easter...
Read More about 11 million Brits plan a UK holiday trip for the Easter weekend, bringing a £3.2 billion economic boostFamiliarisation Visit
20 Mar 2024
The Auckland Project, in conjunction with Visit County Durham, is holding a familiarisation visit to Auckland Castle, Gardens and Faith Museum as part of their Accommodation Partner Scheme. The visit will take place on Thursday 18th April 2024 from 10:00am to 1:30pm (booking required). Becoming an...
Read More about Familiarisation Visit1500 hours of painstaking work with several thousand parts make a working SilverSwan
20 Mar 2024
After more than 1500 hours of painstaking work carried out by specialist horologists, TheBowes Museum's iconic 250 year old life size Silver Swan, the only one in the world, is setto wow audiences once again as she comes back to life in her true form for the first time infour years. Visitors to the...
Read More about 1500 hours of painstaking work with several thousand parts make a working SilverSwanEurope’s largest collection of historic rail vehicles assembled at Locomotion
15 Mar 2024
Locomotion in Shildon, County Durham is to undertake the museum’s biggest ever rail shunt to create Europe’s largest undercover display of historic rail vehicles. Managed by specialist teams from Locomotion and the National Railway Museum, the shunt will see 46 vehicles (and one road vehicle)...
Read More about Europe’s largest collection of historic rail vehicles assembled at LocomotionHotel Occupancy
13 Mar 2024
Hotel Room Occupancy in England for January 2024 continues to show growth for North East England. Overall, room occupancy was 1% up on January 2022, and on a par with 2019. The North East England recorded the highest growth for January at 5%.
Read More about Hotel OccupancyA66 Project approval
13 Mar 2024
On 7 March 2024, the Secretary of State for Transport approved the Development Consent Order for the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project. This means National Highways now has permission to dual 18 miles of single carriageway between Penrith and Scotch Corner.
Read More about A66 Project approvalDurham Cathedral calls on people to help create Peace Doves for its upcoming summer installation
13 Mar 2024
Over 15,000 paper doves created by visitors with messages of peace will be suspended in Durham Cathedral this summer. Peace Doves, a mass-participation artwork by Peter Walker, is set to take centre stage in the Nave of the cathedral from 26 July. It will be made up of thousands of individually...
Read More about Durham Cathedral calls on people to help create Peace Doves for its upcoming summer installationChester-le-EATS Festival set to Expand
12 Mar 2024
Organisers of a hugely successful food, drink and music festival have announced plans to expand its footprint in 2024 – and are now asking traders who wish to be part of the event to apply. Durham Cricket has confirmed Chester-le-EATS will take place on Saturday, October 5th and Sunday, October...
Read More about Chester-le-EATS Festival set to ExpandNorth East England’s Tourism Industry Looks to the Future as First Destination 2034 Conference is Announced
11 Mar 2024
A landmark Destination North East England Conference is coming to The Glasshouse International Centre for Music on Monday 18th March, featuring panellists from Tripadvisor, Digital Tourism Think Tank and the Global Destination Sustainability Movement amongst others. Titled Destination 2034 this...
Read More about North East England’s Tourism Industry Looks to the Future as First Destination 2034 Conference is AnnouncedWeek-long celebration of England’s tourism industry fast approaching
11 Mar 2024
English Tourism Week, the annual week dedicated to celebrating England’s tourism industry, is fast approaching with businesses, destinations and visitor attractions encouraged to get involved. Taking place from 15-to-24 March, English Tourism Week sees the industry come together to highlight...
Read More about Week-long celebration of England’s tourism industry fast approachingDurham Cricket aim to bring professional women’s Cricket to the region
7 Mar 2024
Durham Cricket have today announced their intention to bring professional women’s Cricket to the region. Women’s Cricket is undergoing a restructure, with the ECB set to assign 8 counties with professional women’s teams, forming a new structure from 2025 onwards, aimed at further growing...
Read More about Durham Cricket aim to bring professional women’s Cricket to the regionTV Series Vera and author behind the books among winners at the 2024 North East England Tourism Awards
1 Mar 2024
The popular TV drama Vera and author Ann Cleeves, who wrote the book series, were awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award at last night’s (THURS) ceremony. They were among 14 other award winners who were named some of the best in the region at the prestigious annual awards. Exec...
Read More about TV Series Vera and author behind the books among winners at the 2024 North East England Tourism AwardsTourism Awards
28 Feb 2024
Taking place tomorrow night at Newcastle Civic Centre, The North East England Tourism Awards will celebrate the region's businesses and people that make our visitor economy so special. Good luck to VCD Partners Beamish Museum, Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors, Event Durham, Hall Hill Farm, Hotel...
Read More about Tourism AwardsModernised Assessment Scheme
28 Feb 2024
Calling all County Durham tourism businesses, VisitEngland and the AA have launched their modernised Quality Assessment schemes, including a new Visitor Ready scheme. Visitor Ready empowers you to showcase your commitment to compliance with core standards, to assure customers you have the necessary...
Read More about Modernised Assessment Scheme