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All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Seaham Hall opens its doors to 25 years of stories
30 Mar 2026
MULTI award-winning five-star hotel and spa resort, Seaham Hall, is opening a new chapter as it celebrates its people, moments and memories across its 25 years in the North East. Set on the dramatic Durham Heritage Coast, Seaham Hall will celebrate its 25th anniversary on 19th March 2026, kicking...
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Industry
12.5 million Brits plan UK holiday trip for Easter weekend, bringing £4.8 billion boost
27 Mar 2026
VisitEngland’s Easter 'Trip-Tracker' survey, published today, indicates that 12.5 million Brits are planning an overnight holiday trip in the UK for the Easter weekend, bringing an estimated £4.8 billion boost to the economy. This is also more than the 7.4 million Brits who are planning a trip...
Read More about 12.5 million Brits plan UK holiday trip for Easter weekend, bringing £4.8 billion boostCounty Celebrates Success at North East Tourism Awards
20 Mar 2026
Durham’s visitor economy is celebrating a strong showing at the prestigious Destination North East England Tourism Awards, with businesses and organisations across the county recognised for excellence. The annual awards brought together more than 450 industry leaders at...
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Industry
North East’s best tourism and hospitality spots crowned at tourism awards ceremony
20 Mar 2026
Last night’s Destination North East England Tourism Awards with LNER revealed the best places to visit, taste, stay and experience in North East England. The annual ceremony, sponsored by train operator LNER and now in its 24th year, brought over 450 businesses, regional and national leaders...
Read More about North East’s best tourism and hospitality spots crowned at tourism awards ceremonyDinner through the centuries: Kynren launches Time Travellers’ Feast in County Durham
19 Mar 2026
Guests can dine through the centuries with Romans, Tudors and Vikings in a brand-new immersive pre-show feast before experiencing Kynren – An Epic Tale of England. Kynren is adding a new layer to its storytelling this summer with the launch of The Time Travellers’ Feast, a brand-new premium...
Read More about Dinner through the centuries: Kynren launches Time Travellers’ Feast in County DurhamNewly revealed medieval wall painting sheds light on Durham Castle’s high-status past
18 Mar 2026
A hidden section of medieval wall painting has been uncovered by archaeologists at one of North East England’s iconic landmarks – giving clues to its grand past. Revealed during renovations at Durham Castle, in Durham City, the decorative artwork is thought to date from the late 13th to early...
Read More about Newly revealed medieval wall painting sheds light on Durham Castle’s high-status pastCelebrating County Durham Day
16 Mar 2026
A series of free events will take place this week to celebrate County Durham Day. Durham County Council has organised a range of family-friendly activities on Friday (20 March) to showcase the county’s heritage, history and community spirit. The council’s libraries will mark the day with...
Read More about Celebrating County Durham DayWorld’s oldest crowned ‘Railway of the Year’
13 Mar 2026
The Tanfield Railway in County Durham has been named the best railway in the country at a prestigious awards ceremony. The line, which celebrated its 300th anniversary during 2025, was presented with the ‘Railway of the Year’ award at the Heritage Railway Association Annual Awards. The event in...
Read More about World’s oldest crowned ‘Railway of the Year’Visionary works of Roger Wagner to go on show at Auckland Palace
11 Mar 2026
The Auckland Project has unveiled a major solo exhibition by acclaimed artist and poet Roger Wagner at Auckland Palace. Roger Wagner: The Seeds of Eternity will bring together more than 20 paintings spanning the artist’s career, alongside sketches, studies and poems, in the Bishop Trevor...
Read More about Visionary works of Roger Wagner to go on show at Auckland PalaceDurham hits all the right notes with the launch of a new jazz festival
11 Mar 2026
Durham is set to swing as a major new jazz festival is announced for the city. The inaugural Durham Jazz Festival will take place from Friday, October 23 to Sunday, October 25, transforming venues across the city with a vibrant programme featuring top-flight artists from the world of...
Read More about Durham hits all the right notes with the launch of a new jazz festivalThe National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England award Ushaw £400,000 to Unlock its Historic Potential
10 Mar 2026
Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a total of £400,000 in funding to support a transformative vision for the site. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £250,000 and Historic England has...
Read More about The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England award Ushaw £400,000 to Unlock its Historic PotentialEngland’s week-long celebration of tourism industry fast approaching
9 Mar 2026
VisitEngland is celebrating the importance of the tourism industry with this year’s English Tourism Week from 13-22 March. The annual celebration puts tourism centre stage with the public, destinations, businesses and visitor attractions encouraged to get involved. English Tourism Week sees the...
Read More about England’s week-long celebration of tourism industry fast approachingA stitch in time – meet the woman sewing together history
5 Mar 2026
Behind the thunder of hooves, the clash of steel and the cinematic sweep of history on the Kynren stage, another epic undertaking is quietly unfolding. One measured in fabric, form and fine detail. At the heart of it is Emily Baxendale, the Head of Wardrobe for Kynren – The Storied Lands,...
Read More about A stitch in time – meet the woman sewing together historyLost Feather takes flight as landmark arena rises at Kynren - The Stories Lands
3 Mar 2026
Construction is gathering pace on one of the most ambitious and distinctive attractions ever created for a UK visitor destination, as the vast Lost Feather arena continues to take shape at Kynren – The Storied Lands. The striking new venue, featuring a colossal bird’s nest, is rapidly taking...
Read More about Lost Feather takes flight as landmark arena rises at Kynren - The Stories Lands“Town of Culture 2028 Bid”: People of Bishop Auckland we need you
3 Mar 2026
Bishop Auckland Town Council is delighted to announce that it is pressing ahead with a formal bid for Town of Culture 2028, marking an important step in showcasing the town’s heritage, creativity, and vibrant community spirit. The bid will celebrate the town’s distinctive history and cultural...
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