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All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Industry
The Bowes Museum to sparkle after dark with first in a series of new 'Bowes Lates' events
29 Jan 2026
The Bowes Museum is inviting visitors to step inside after hours for the first in a series of Bowes Lates, a new way to enjoy a cultural evening of art, food and more in a relaxed atmosphere. The event takes place on Saturday, 14 February 2026, from 6pm to 9.30pm. Designed for everyone to enjoy,...
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Industry
New home for historic Durham Cathedral painting
27 Jan 2026
A painting which has hung in Durham’s County Hall for decades has found a new home. The Building of Durham Cathedral has been carefully removed by Durham County Council’s collections team and transferred to Ushaw Historic House, Chapel & Gardens, where it is now on display. The...
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Industry
Raby breaks ground on Staindrop Houses
26 Jan 2026
Work has begun on a collection of new high-quality homes in Staindrop at the East Leaze development. Managed by Raby Homes, the housing scheme will deliver 72 new properties, from one and two-bedroom apartments, single story, to five-bedroom houses and also includes affordable housing. The area to...
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Industry
Public Vote Open to Crown North East's Best Event
26 Jan 2026
An epic outdoor spectacular, a traditional county show and two magical festive experiences are hoping to come out on top at a glitzy ceremony in March. The Tourism Festival or Event category at the Destination North East England Tourism Awards is the only one to be decided by the public. Event...
Read More about Public Vote Open to Crown North East's Best EventKynren gains national recognition in The Telegraph
22 Jan 2026
Kynren, the award-winning live action spectacular based in Durham, has been featured in The Telegraph’s travel round-up “20 reasons why you don’t need to leave Britain this year”. The article highlights standout experiences and attractions across the UK and positions Britain as a...
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Industry
Durham Restaurant Week returns at end of January
21 Jan 2026
Durham Restaurant Week is set to return at the end of January, serving up a tempting menu of cut-price deals to help diners banish the winter blues and give city centre businesses a welcome post-Christmas boost. Running from January 30 to February 6, the popular event will see restaurants across...
Read More about Durham Restaurant Week returns at end of JanuaryNew report from VisitBritain/VisitEngland shows tourism worth £147 billion to UK economy
21 Jan 2026
Tourism’s importance to the British economy is highlighted in major new research from national tourism agency VisitBritain/VisitEngland, demonstrating the industry’s significant economic contribution to local communities nationwide and its potential for growth. The report 'Economic Value of...
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Industry
Auckland Palace Archaeology goes on public view in Bishop Auckland 'Open Lab'
21 Jan 2026
Archaeologists uncovering the hidden history of Auckland Palace are inviting the public behind the scenes as historic finds from eight years of excavations are analysed in a new ‘open laboratory’ in Bishop Auckland town centre. The open lab launched on Friday, 16 January, at Hearth (formerly...
Read More about Auckland Palace Archaeology goes on public view in Bishop Auckland 'Open Lab'The Auckland Project awarded nationally recognised museum accreditation
14 Jan 2026
The Auckland Project has been awarded Accredited Museum status by Arts Council England for Auckland Palace, Faith Museum, Spanish Gallery, and Mining Art Gallery. Accreditation, run by Arts Council England on behalf of the UK Accreditation Partnership, is the industry benchmark for well-run museums...
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Industry
11.6 million Brits plan a domestic holiday in the UK during festive season, bringing £3.3 billion boost to economy
19 Dec 2025
Survey shows that visiting friends and family and going out for a Christmas meal are most popular festive activities. VisitEngland’s Christmas Trip Tracker Survey released today, 18 December, shows that 11.6 million Brits are planning an overnight holiday trip in the UK during the Christmas and...
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Industry
S&DR200 Celebrates a year of storytelling through the arts
17 Dec 2025
Since March 2025, S&DR200 has captured the imagination of hundreds of thousands of people from across the globe with a vibrant cultural programme that has used culture as a tool to tell stories of international importance. Artists, practitioners, historians and storytellers were asked...
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Industry
Seaham celebrates first-ever direct train link to London
17 Dec 2025
Seaham celebrates first-ever direct train link to London with historic Grand Central launch. Open access operator Grand Central have launched its first-ever direct services between Seaham and London. This historic launch will provide four new services to London, cementing Grand Central’s...
Read More about Seaham celebrates first-ever direct train link to LondonFunding in store for Beamish Museum to help increase access to collections
16 Dec 2025
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North is celebrating being awarded £49,000 from Art Fund, the national charity for museums and galleries, to improve access to its collections. The funding is part of a total of £1.3million awarded through the latest round of Art Fund’s Reimagine programme,...
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Industry
VisitEngland announces Tourism Superstar finalists for 2026
15 Dec 2025
VisitEngland has today, 15 December, revealed the 10 finalists to make the shortlist of its Tourism Superstar competition. VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar competition, now in its 14th year, seeks out champions working in tourism who provide fantastic experiences for visitors, as well as...
Read More about VisitEngland announces Tourism Superstar finalists for 2026Raby launches wellness series for the New Year
11 Dec 2025
A leading north east lifestyle destination has introduced a new wellness programme, designed to encourage renewal, reflection and reconnection in the new year. Raby Castle, Park and Gardens has teamed up with holistic wellness brand, Guid-ed, to create the Raby Reset, a four-part series featuring...
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