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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

Barnard Castle project welcomes their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to Raby Castle

14 Sep 2023

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke of Gloucester and Duchess of Gloucester visited County Durham, this week (13th September), to recognise the region’s longstanding commitment to traditional skills training and heritage restoration. As Patron of the Cultura Trust, the national charity which has...

Industry

DDP update

13 Sep 2023

A reminder that the latest Destination Development Partnership update is being held online this Friday 15th September at 8:30am. Get the latest information on the government backed regional tourism pilot and how businesses can get involved. Reserve your place.

Industry

Create Growth Programme

13 Sep 2023

Are you a creative business in North East England and are looking to grow your business through investment? Create UK are now taking applications for their North East Create Growth Programme. This DCMS funded development programme provides bespoke mentoring, workshops and investor introduction.

Industry

Regulatory updates

13 Sep 2023

Did you know that on 1st October two regulations that could effect your business come into effect - an extension on the ban on single use plastics, and new fire safety guidance for accommodation providers.

Industry

Funding win for Silver Swan conservation work

13 Sep 2023

The Bowes Museum has been awarded funding by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to carry out conservation work on the Museum's Silver Swan. The Silver Swan is one of the finest examples of 18th century automata in the world, a life-size, solid silver, replica of a female Swan containing 2,000...

Industry

New Christmas attraction will provide festive boost to Durham’s visitor economy

7 Sep 2023

Durham’s festive offer is now even brighter thanks to the creation of a new Christmas themed attraction. The Auckland Project is launching a brand new light trail, AGLOW, which promises to dazzle visitors to Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland this festive season. Featuring the tallest Christmas...

Industry

Bookings open at Raby Castle's magnificent new event space, marking milestone for 'Rising' development

7 Sep 2023

Raby Castle’s ‘Rising’ development has marked a momentous milestone, as bookings for 2024 events open in its magnificent new events spaces. The iconic spaces will welcome guests to enjoy unique events opportunities in the stunning historical surroundings. The Rising project has seen the...

Visit County Durham

Flying the flag for Durham and North East England in the USA

6 Sep 2023

Durham and North East England will be showcased to more than 50 top travel buyers from across North America at a major travel trade event this week.

Industry

Top visitor award for the Spanish Gallery and Auckland Castle

29 Aug 2023

One of the North East’s most popular visitor attractions and historic sites has scooped a prestigious tourism award which places it in the top 10% of attractions worldwide. Part of The Auckland Project, The Spanish Gallery and Auckland Castle, located on the main site in the heart of Bishop...

Industry

Raby Castle nominated for prestigious VisitEngland welcome accolade

29 Aug 2023

Raby Castle has been nominated for the prestigious VisitEngland ‘Welcome’ Accolade after its staff scored 100% in a recent assessment. Staff across visitor services, catering and retail as well as tour guides and volunteers within the castle were awarded marks out of five for customer care,...

Industry

Time to swan about at Ramside Treehouses

9 Aug 2023

The continued success of a County Durham hotel’s unique treehouses has led to the creation of two new properties. Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa has just unveiled Swan and Kingfisher, two additional glass fronted A frame house, which represents a further £500,000 investment at the luxury...

Industry

Raby Castle's 'Rising' development marks major milestone as work commences on new panoramic café restaurant

1 Aug 2023

Raby Castle’s ‘Rising’ development has marked a major milestone as work commences on the estate’s new Vinery Café Restaurant. The new eatery, a stylish and airy recreation of the Victorian glasshouse which once stood in the same spot, will offer panoramic views to the castle and parkland...

Industry

New museum opening this October to explore encounters, experiences and expressions of faith in Britain

24 Jul 2023

It’s been 10 years in the making, and countless challenges have been encountered along the way, but we’ve kept the faith, and now it’s finally ready – the Faith Museum opens to the public on 7 October 2023. The Faith Museum explores the myriad ways in which faith has shaped lives and...

Industry

Region celebrates £5.4bn tourism milestone and bold ambitions for visitor economy

24 Jul 2023

The tourism sector in the North East is now worth £5.4bn, the first time it has exceeded £5bn since 2019. Tourism is the fourth largest sector in the North East and is England’s third largest employer. Latest STEAM* figures for 2022 have revealed that the tourism sector in the North East is...

Visit County Durham

A message from Visit County Durham's managing director, Michelle Gorman.

20 Jul 2023

I hope you are having a good week and are set for the busy summer ahead. I am sure many of you will have already heard the fantastic news about how tourism contributed more than £1 billion to Durham's economy for the first time ever in 2022. For while visitor numbers have not yet reached […]