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All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Industry
Bowie at The Bowes
1 Jul 2026
V&A announces national tour of highlights from David Bowie’s archive – travelling across the UK from November 2026. Today, the V&A and partner venues across the UK announce a landmark national tour celebrating the creativity and enduring cultural impact of David Bowie. Bringing together...
Read More about Bowie at The BowesSuccess of leisure complex at award-winning County Durham hotel leads to new opportunity for corporates
1 Jul 2026
The overwhelming success of the latest addition at Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa has led to the launch of its first-ever corporate opportunity. Last year the award-winning hotel opened The Pin, a unique leisure facility which offers a 43 bay, two tier TopTracer driving range, bowling alley,...
Read More about Success of leisure complex at award-winning County Durham hotel leads to new opportunity for corporates
Industry
Luxmuralis returns to Durham Cathedral with ‘Time’ this October
29 Jun 2026
This October, Luxmuralis returns to Durham Cathedral, inviting visitors to step into Time, an immersive light and sound experience exploring humanity, history and imagination. Running from Wednesday 7 October to Sunday 11 October 2026, the internationally acclaimed artistic collaboration will once...
Read More about Luxmuralis returns to Durham Cathedral with ‘Time’ this October
Industry
VisitEngland calls on nation to celebrate England’s coast
25 Jun 2026
VisitEngland is calling on tourism businesses, destinations, industry partners and the public across England to showcase the importance of coastal tourism during a dedicated week from 29 June to 5 July. The ‘My coast has the most…’ campaign...
Read More about VisitEngland calls on nation to celebrate England’s coastRamside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa takes top honour at prestigious awards
25 Jun 2026
THE ON-going investment and the continued rapid growth of a County Durham hotel has been recognised at one of the North East’s prestigious award ceremonies. Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa beat off strong competition to take the title of Larger Business of the Year at the North East Chamber of...
Read More about Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa takes top honour at prestigious awardsVisit County Durham supports media spotlight to North East England
25 Jun 2026
Visit County Durham helped showcase North East England to more than 200 leading travel journalists, influencers and tourism professionals as Media Getaway 2026 came to the region for the first time earlier this month. The three-day networking programme, organised...
Read More about Visit County Durham supports media spotlight to North East EnglandAmazing 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...
Read More about Amazing places to visit, dine, stay and experience encouraged to enter Tourism AwardsOpening 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...
Read More about Opening date confirmed for The LightExhibition 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...
Read More about Exhibition explores impact of war on the home frontBeamish 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....
Read More about Beamish CEO Rhiannon Hiles appointed CBE in King’s Birthday HonoursMichelin 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...
Read More about Michelin Young Chef of the Year heads to Durham for exclusive Faru collaborationDurham 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...
Read More about Durham visitor economy approaches record £1.5 billion as investment and partnerships continue to drive growthMore 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...
Read More about More visitors flock to North East England as tourism numbers increase across the regionLady 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...
Read More about Lady Barnard welcomes Kirstie Allsopp at future countryside eventNew 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...
Read More about New destination marketing agency for North East England announced