Media Room
Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Trader applications open for Bishop Food Festival
22 Oct 2025
Traders can now apply to be part of one of the region’s biggest food festivals. Bishop Auckland Food Festival returns next spring, on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April, promising two days of fun, family entertainment and food. Thousands are expected to flock to Bishop Auckland town centre across...
Read More about Trader applications open for Bishop Food Festival
Industry
VisitBritain/VisitEngland Annual Review 2024/25
22 Oct 2025
Behind the scenes: driving regional growth through the visitor economy VisitEngland have launched their Annual Review, announcing that international visitors spent an additional £562 million across Britain as a result of our activity in 2024/25. Results also show that 60% of this estimated...
Read More about VisitBritain/VisitEngland Annual Review 2024/25Dalton Park's fang-tastic October half term line-up
21 Oct 2025
The North East’s largest outlet shopping destination, Dalton Park, has revealed its unmissable October Half Term line-up, packed with fang-tastically fun activities for the whole family. From a spooky Halloween bus and wicked witches to ghastly gifts, magical mini-golf and frightening fun, Dalton...
Read More about Dalton Park's fang-tastic October half term line-upS&DR200 flagship anniversary event attracts over 100,000 visitors from across the world in a spectacular celebration of railway heritage
17 Oct 2025
Organisers of the S&DR200 festival have announced that the Anniversary Journey, the flagship week of the 12 month celebrations, was a phenomenal success, attracting an estimated 100,000 visitors to County Durham and Tees Valley. Visitors travelled from across the globe — including America,...
Read More about S&DR200 flagship anniversary event attracts over 100,000 visitors from across the world in a spectacular celebration of railway heritageShortlist of the North East's best places to visit, stay, taste and experience revealed
15 Oct 2025
The businesses competing in the 2026 Destination North East England Tourism Awards have been announced, after hundreds of entries were whittled down. The Destination North East England Tourism Awards have been celebrating the best visitor economy businesses in the area for over two decades, with...
Read More about Shortlist of the North East's best places to visit, stay, taste and experience revealedBishop Auckland College and The Auckland Project sign landmark partnership to boost skills, jobs and culture
15 Oct 2025
Bishop Auckland College and The Auckland Project (TAP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a strategic partnership that will strengthen skills development, create new employment opportunities, and enhance the town’s cultural and visitor economy. The collaboration will see...
Read More about Bishop Auckland College and The Auckland Project sign landmark partnership to boost skills, jobs and cultureRaby Castle to open for new Christmas experience for the first time in 50 years
13 Oct 2025
Raby Castle will be opening its doors during the festive period for the first time in five decades to show the castle decorated for Christmas, designed by custodian and creative director, Lady Barnard. This will be a chance for visitors to experience how the Vane family enjoyed Christmas at the...
Read More about Raby Castle to open for new Christmas experience for the first time in 50 yearsBank of England Governor at Beamish Museum for business leaders’ event
9 Oct 2025
The Governor of the Bank of England visited Beamish, The Living Museum of the North today (Wednesday, 8th October 2025) for an event attended by the region’s business leaders. During his visit to the County Durham museum, Andrew Bailey delivered a presentation on the outlook for the UK economy to...
Read More about Bank of England Governor at Beamish Museum for business leaders’ eventDurham Wine Week
8 Oct 2025
If your visitors are looking for something different, look no further than Durham Wine Week taking place 10th-19th October. Durham Wine Week offers a unique opportunity for your guests to discover and explore the vibrant wine scene in Durham City at a discounted price. There are numerous venues...
Read More about Durham Wine WeekDurham food and drink producers given the chance to showcase their goods in Westminster
7 Oct 2025
Food and drink producers from across the county are being offered a unique opportunity to take centre stage in Westminster in January, thanks to an exciting new initiative from North East rail operator Lumo. In celebration of British Food Fortnight, Lumo is partnering with Food & Drink North...
Read More about Durham food and drink producers given the chance to showcase their goods in WestminsterJane Ruffer appointed CEO of The Auckland Project
3 Oct 2025
The Auckland Project has appointed Jane Ruffer as CEO, marking a new chapter for the charity she co-founded with Jonathan Ruffer more than a decade ago. With a background as a doctor, school governor and trustee at several charities, Jane brings decades of leadership experience and a deep...
Read More about Jane Ruffer appointed CEO of The Auckland ProjectNorth East Screen celebrates 3 years of big impacts and bigger ambitions
29 Sep 2025
North East Screen is proud to unveil its 3 Years of Big Impacts Report (2022–2025), showcasing a remarkable period of growth in a difficult global climate. North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP) investments across the North East is creating opportunities for the resilient world...
Read More about North East Screen celebrates 3 years of big impacts and bigger ambitionsThe Duke of Edinburgh visits County Durham and Tees Valley as part of S&DR200 anniversary celebrations
29 Sep 2025
Today [26 September] S&DR200 was delighted to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh who attended celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the first journey on the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR), one that had a profound impact on the world today. The S&DR gave...
Read More about The Duke of Edinburgh visits County Durham and Tees Valley as part of S&DR200 anniversary celebrationsCommemorative plaques unveiled on S&DR200 legacy route
29 Sep 2025
Two plaques commemorating the ‘Father of the Railways’, George Stephenson, and the starting point of the world’s first passenger journey on the Stockton and Darlington Railway have been unveiled. The Engineering Heritage Award plaque and World Origin Site plaque have both been installed at a...
Read More about Commemorative plaques unveiled on S&DR200 legacy routeNew community allotments bloom at Beamish, thanks to Banks funding
26 Sep 2025
Community allotments for health and wellbeing and education programmes have been opened at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, supported by funding from the Banks Group. The 12 allotment plots, in the award-winning museum’s 1950s Town, will give people the chance to get involved in...
Read More about New community allotments bloom at Beamish, thanks to Banks funding