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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

The Auckland Project strikes gold with VisitEngland

24 Feb 2026

The Auckland Project’s heritage holiday accommodation has been recognised at the highest level after achieving outstanding results in its latest VisitEngland quality assessment. A selection of properties within Auckland Palace Stays were awarded prestigious star ratings, with Bishop Lightfoot...

Industry

Free Entry to Family Open Day at The Bowes Museum

17 Feb 2026

Saturday 21 February 2026 from 10:30am to 4pm, The Bowes Museum invites visitors to enjoy a variety of activities on its Family Open Day with free entry for everyone. Recommended for all the family, the event is an opportunity to try pet-themed pottery painting, learn about conservation, take part...

Industry

Mining Art Gallery marks Tom McGuinness’s centenary with Out of the Darkness exhibition

16 Feb 2026

Bishop Auckland’s Mining Art Gallery will honour one of County Durham’s most compelling artists with Tom McGuinness: Out of the Darkness – opening on 18 February - a major retrospective marking the centenary of the acclaimed miner-artist, born in 1926. Drawing on a lifetime spent...

Industry

New winter arts festival ‘IGNITE’ to light up Bishop Auckland this February

16 Feb 2026

This free celebration of light, storytelling and shared creativity is brought by Daisy Arts, in partnership with Hearth, The Auckland Project and Artistic Solutions. With the rallying cry “When the nights are long, we bring the light,” the festival invites families, friends, and visitors of all...

Industry

Discover Canny Creations at Beamish Museum this Half Term

13 Feb 2026

Beamish, The Living Museum of the North will some of the greatest inventions to come from the North East, from Saturday, 14th February until Sunday, 1st March. Enjoy Canny Creations: Wonderful North East Inventions from Saturday, 14th February to Sunday, 1st March. Head to Pockerley Waggonway and...

Industry

Binchester Roman Fort gets new custodians

13 Feb 2026

An attraction which shows what life was like at one of the largest Roman military sites in Northern Britain is to come under new management. Durham County Council will be transferring the custodianship of Binchester Roman Fort to The Auckland Project as part of plans to enhance visitor experience...

Industry

Durham City welcomes the Year of the Horse

13 Feb 2026

Durham City will come alive with colour, dancing and music next week to celebrate the Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year and Spring Festival. The city will ring in the Year of the Horse with an exciting line up of family activities and events, to mark the official New Year on...

Industry

North East landmark to host its first major two day music event

12 Feb 2026

One of the North East’s most iconic landmarks is opening a new chapter in its 600 year history, by staging the first two-day music event with ATA Events. Lumley Castle Hotel at Chester-le-Street, County Durham, will be the backdrop for Opulence, running on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September. While...

Industry

Locomotion needs your help to break GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title this February half term

11 Feb 2026

Locomotion and S&DR200 are inviting you to join an official attempt at their first ever GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title on Thursday 26 February at Locomotion for the greatest number of people simultaneously...

Industry

Raising the Roof – ‘Hollywood’ thatchers add star quality to Kynren's landmark new attraction

10 Feb 2026

Kynren – The Storied Lands has brought a touch of Hollywood to County Durham after enlisting renowned film and television specialists Brandon Thatchers to create thatched roofs for the full-size, two-storey village setting for one of its spectacular new shows, Legend of the Wear. ...

Industry

Vote for Kynren

4 Feb 2026

Public voting is OPEN for Tourism Event & Festival of the Year at the North East England Tourism Awards - and the winner is decided by you! Kynren has been nominated for the award so come on Durham, show your support by casting your vote by this Friday 6 February.

Industry

Domestic Sentiment Tracker

4 Feb 2026

VisitEngland's Domestic Sentiment Tracker for January 2026 shows that overall perceptions of the cost of living crisis have improved compared to December 2025. Domestic trip intentions in January were stable with 77% of UK consumers intending a domestic overnight trip over the next 12 months....

Industry

This Morning chef makes Bishop Auckland Food Festival return

4 Feb 2026

Celebrity chef Phil Vickery is to make a welcome return to a popular North East food festival this spring. Phil, who has graced screens for more than a quarter of a century on ITV show This Morning, will be leading the line-up at this year’s Bishop Auckland Food Festival, which takes place on...

Industry

The Next Generation: LNER reveals exciting new details of upcoming East Coast main line trains

3 Feb 2026

A new generation of comfort and speed is coming for LNER customers on the East Coast Main Line with the introduction of 10 state-of-the-art intercity trains, delivering improved journey experiences. LNER has released a fleet name and the latest interior images of the trains, built by...

Industry

South Causey Inn Announces Six-Month Residency with Michelin-Starred Restaurant Hjem

30 Jan 2026

South Causey Inn is proud to announce an exceptional new collaboration launching on 4th February 2026, as Michelin-starred restaurant Hjem takes up a six-month residency at the award-winning County Durham destination. Led by acclaimed chef Alex Nietosvuori, Hjem is one of the North East’s most...