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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

VisitBritain/VisitEngland Annual Review 2024/25

22 Oct 2025

Behind the scenes: driving regional growth through the visitor economy VisitEngland have launched their Annual Review, announcing that international visitors spent an additional £562 million across Britain as a result of our activity in 2024/25. Results also show that 60% of this estimated...

Industry

Dalton Park's fang-tastic October half term line-up

21 Oct 2025

The North East’s largest outlet shopping destination, Dalton Park, has revealed its unmissable October Half Term line-up, packed with fang-tastically fun activities for the whole family. From a spooky Halloween bus and wicked witches to ghastly gifts, magical mini-golf and frightening fun, Dalton...

Industry

S&DR200 flagship anniversary event attracts over 100,000 visitors from across the world in a spectacular celebration of railway heritage

17 Oct 2025

Organisers of the S&DR200 festival have announced that the Anniversary Journey, the flagship week of the 12 month celebrations, was a phenomenal success, attracting an estimated 100,000 visitors to County Durham and Tees Valley. Visitors travelled from across the globe — including America,...

Industry

Shortlist of the North East's best places to visit, stay, taste and experience revealed

15 Oct 2025

The businesses competing in the 2026 Destination North East England Tourism Awards have been announced, after hundreds of entries were whittled down. The Destination North East England Tourism Awards have been celebrating the best visitor economy businesses in the area for over two decades, with...

Industry

Bishop Auckland College and The Auckland Project sign landmark partnership to boost skills, jobs and culture

15 Oct 2025

Bishop Auckland College and The Auckland Project (TAP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a strategic partnership that will strengthen skills development, create new employment opportunities, and enhance the town’s cultural and visitor economy. The collaboration will see...

Industry

Raby Castle to open for new Christmas experience for the first time in 50 years

13 Oct 2025

Raby Castle will be opening its doors during the festive period for the first time in five decades to show the castle decorated for Christmas, designed by custodian and creative director, Lady Barnard. This will be a chance for visitors to experience how the Vane family enjoyed Christmas at the...

Industry

Bank of England Governor at Beamish Museum for business leaders’ event

9 Oct 2025

The Governor of the Bank of England visited Beamish, The Living Museum of the North today (Wednesday, 8th October 2025) for an event attended by the region’s business leaders. During his visit to the County Durham museum, Andrew Bailey delivered a presentation on the outlook for the UK economy to...

Industry

Durham Wine Week

8 Oct 2025

If your visitors are looking for something different, look no further than Durham Wine Week taking place 10th-19th October. Durham Wine Week offers a unique opportunity for your guests to discover and explore the vibrant wine scene in Durham City at a discounted price. There are numerous venues...

Industry

Jane Ruffer appointed CEO of The Auckland Project

3 Oct 2025

The Auckland Project has appointed Jane Ruffer as CEO, marking a new chapter for the charity she co-founded with Jonathan Ruffer more than a decade ago. With a background as a doctor, school governor and trustee at several charities, Jane brings decades of leadership experience and a deep...

Industry

North East Screen celebrates 3 years of big impacts and bigger ambitions

29 Sep 2025

North East Screen is proud to unveil its 3 Years of Big Impacts Report (2022–2025), showcasing a remarkable period of growth in a difficult global climate. North East Screen Industries Partnership (NESIP) investments across the North East is creating opportunities for the resilient world...

Industry

The Duke of Edinburgh visits County Durham and Tees Valley as part of S&DR200 anniversary celebrations

29 Sep 2025

Today [26 September] S&DR200 was delighted to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh who attended celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the first journey on the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR), one that had a profound impact on the world today. The S&DR gave...

Industry

Commemorative plaques unveiled on S&DR200 legacy route

29 Sep 2025

Two plaques commemorating the ‘Father of the Railways’, George Stephenson, and the starting point of the world’s first passenger journey on the Stockton and Darlington Railway have been unveiled. The Engineering Heritage Award plaque and World Origin Site plaque have both been installed at a...

Industry

New community allotments bloom at Beamish, thanks to Banks funding

26 Sep 2025

Community allotments for health and wellbeing and education programmes have been opened at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, supported by funding from the Banks Group. The 12 allotment plots, in the award-winning museum’s 1950s Town, will give people the chance to get involved in...

Industry

The Entertainer to open its first outlet store at Dalton Park

25 Sep 2025

Britain’s toy shop, The Entertainer, has revealed that it is set to open its first outlet store next week, at Dalton Park in County Durham. The 2000 sq. ft space is set to open at 9:30am on Saturday 4th October and will stock a selection of the retailers’ best-loved brands at...

Industry

The Bowes Museum invests in cultural tourism with new ‘In Concert’ series

24 Sep 2025

The Bowes Museum’s newly founded music programme aims to boost the evening economy and bring world-class performers to County Durham. The museum has launched a new programme of evening concerts to diversify its cultural offer and attract new audiences to County Durham. ‘In Concert at The Bowes...