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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

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Format: 30-12-2023

Industry

Amazing places to visit, dine, stay and experience encouraged to enter Tourism Awards

25 Jun 2026

With just over a month to go until entries close for the North East England Tourism Awards, visitor economy businesses from across the North East are being encouraged to enter before its too late. Celebrating the best hotels, eateries, attractions, camp sites, events, venues and more, the North...

Industry

Opening date confirmed for The Light

23 Jun 2026

An opening date has been announced for Durham City’s latest cultural attraction, heralding the start of an exciting new chapter for art, history and innovation in the North East. Durham County Council has confirmed The Light will open its doors on Saturday 22 August, with visitors invited to...

Industry

Exhibition explores impact of war on the home front

15 Jun 2026

A powerful new exhibition exploring how conflict has shaped the people and places of County Durham is now open. A Debt Beyond Words focuses on the experiences of those connected to the Durham Light Infantry (DLI), as well as examining the wider experience of war and its impact on families and...

Industry

Beamish CEO Rhiannon Hiles appointed CBE in King’s Birthday Honours

15 Jun 2026

Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Chief Executive Rhiannon Hiles has been appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours. Rhiannon was awarded the honour for services to museums and to the culture and heritage of North East England....

Industry

Michelin Young Chef of the Year heads to Durham for exclusive Faru collaboration

11 Jun 2026

Michelin-recommended Durham restaurant Faru is set to welcome one of the UK's most celebrated chefs to the city for a special one-night-only dining experience. On Monday 29 June, husband-and-wife team Jake and Laura Siddle will host Michelin-starred chef Jake Jones, of The Forge at Middleton Lodge...

Visit County Durham

Durham visitor economy approaches record £1.5 billion as investment and partnerships continue to drive growth

11 Jun 2026

County Durham’s visitor economy has continued its strong upward trajectory, with the latest independent tourism figures showing visitor expenditure rising to £1.48 billion during 2025, an increase of 8% compared to the previous year, marking three consecutive years of record-breaking results for...

Industry

More visitors flock to North East England as tourism numbers increase across the region

10 Jun 2026

Major study shows that the region welcomed more than 70 million visitors in 2025 with tourism now worth over £7.13 billion to the North East’s economy. The North East’s vibrant cities and towns, breathtaking countryside and unrivalled coastal destinations have seen an increase in...

Industry

Lady Barnard welcomes Kirstie Allsopp at future countryside event

5 Jun 2026

Lord and Lady Barnard hosted Future Countryside, the leading national forum for rural policy and debate, at Raby Castle yesterday, with many of the nation’s key rural voices in attendance. Broadcaster and television presenter Kirstie Allsopp gave an insightful talk on the growing impact of...

Visit County Durham

New destination marketing agency for North East England announced

3 Jun 2026

Visit County Durham looks forward to working in partnership with Experience North East England (formerly NewcastleGateshead Initiative), and continuing to play a leading role in the development of the county and wider region’s visitor economy. The region has a long-standing tradition of coming...

Industry

County Durham set to host prestigious countryside event

28 May 2026

Future Countryside, the leading national forum for rural policy and debate, will take place at Raby Castle on 2 June 2026. Now in its fourth year, Future Countryside returns at a defining moment for rural Britain. The countryside is under real pressure, but it is also full of energy,...

Industry

Heritage rail journey supports people living with dementia during National Dementia Week

22 May 2026

A dedicated heritage rail experience was held on the Weardale Railway in support of National Dementia Week, welcoming people living with dementia and their carers for a memorable day out through the Durham Dales. Around 50 to 60 guests boarded the heritage DMU service at Bishop Auckland West,...

Industry

Brass Bash locations confirmed for Durham Brass Festival

20 May 2026

Locations have been announced for a popular feature of Durham Brass Festival. Durham Brass Festival’s Big and Little Brass Bashes are going on tour again this year, bringing free concerts to towns and communities across County Durham. With new locations as well as firm fan favourites, organisers...

Industry

Durham coastal grasslands project successfully completed

20 May 2026

A project to restore coastal grasslands along the Durham Heritage Coast has been successfully completed. Led by Durham County Council and the Heritage Coast Partnership in collaboration with the National Trust and Durham Wildlife Trust, the £1 million project was funded by the government’s...

Industry

Diggerland Durham revealed as secret BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show location in exciting Big Weekend ticket giveaway

20 May 2026

United Kingdom - May 2026 - Diggerland Durham became the centre of national attention on 19th May 2026 after being revealed as the secret location for a live competition on the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Greg James, giving one lucky listener the chance to win tickets to the highly anticipated...

Industry

North East TV star brands County Durham tourist spot 'best museum on the planet'

20 May 2026

North East TV star Steph McGovern has hailed Beamish Museum as “the best museum on the planet” after enjoying another visit to the hugely popular County Durham attraction. The presenter, journalist and podcast host shared her praise for the open-air museum on social media over the weekend,...