Industry News
Full steam ahead as Visit County Durham and Tees Valley join forces to celebrate the enduring legacy of 200 years of railway innovation
Visit County Durham is once again partnering with Visit Tees Valley, building on the success of the landmark S&DR200 celebrations and continuing the journey to showcase the region’s world-changing railway heritage.
2026 is set to be another busy and exciting year for Visit County Durham as it works alongside Visit Tees Valley to promote the area’s shared railway story on a national and international stage.
Following the global impact of the S&DR200 festival in 2025 the partnership will continue to champion the region as the birthplace of the modern railway and an unmissable destination for heritage-led experiences.
Members from both Visit County Durham and Visit Tees Valley recently attended Vakantiebeurs in The Netherlands, one of Europe’s leading travel and tourism fairs, to jointly promote the region’s shared railway heritage and wider visitor offer.
Working side by side, the teams engaged with international travel trade, media and consumers, building on the strong interest generated by the S&DR200 celebrations and positioning Durham and Tees Valley as a compelling destination for heritage-rich, longer stays.
The event provides a valuable platform to strengthen relationships with key markets and showcase the region’s world-class attractions, cultural experiences and continuing railway legacy to an international audience.
An extension of the S&DR200 Festival will continue in 2026 and will build on the international interest generated by the anniversary year, spotlighting the Stockton and Darlington Railway’s pioneering role in transforming how the world travelled, traded and connected. A range of activity across Durham and the Tees Valley will celebrate this legacy, from immersive events and creative installations to iconic attractions and reimagined historic routes.
As part of a coordinated plan to promote the region’s shared railway heritage, Durham and Tees Valley will once again work together to engage travel trade, media and consumers at key national and international platforms, positioning the area as a compelling destination for longer, discovery-led breaks.
Michelle Gorman, Managing Director of Visit County Durham, said:
“Continuing our partnership with Tees Valley allows us to build on the incredible success of S&DR200 and keep the spotlight firmly on our shared railway heritage. With standout attractions such as Locomotion in Shildon – the world’s first railway town – and Hopetown Darlington, alongside an evolving programme of events, we are inspiring visitors to explore more and stay longer in the region.”
Tees Valley Combined Authority, said:
“Tees Valley remains at the heart of the global railway story, and the legacy of the Stockton and Darlington Railway continues to resonate around the world. We’re delighted to be working with Visit County Durham again in 2026 to welcome visitors to our outstanding attractions and celebrate the innovation, people and places that shaped railway history.”