Destination management organisation
Welcome to Visit County Durham - the tourism management agency for County Durham which works on behalf of businesses and public agencies to support the growth and development of the county's visitor economy.
Visit County Durham has strategic responsibility for tourism and performs the functions of destination management and marketing in the county. Many others are involved in delivering a vibrant visitor economy, one organisation cannot do it alone, which is why we are a partnership.
Our aim is to place the visitor at the heart of everything we do.
Destination performance
17.91m
(Visitors Annually)
4.6m
(75 Attractions)
9%
(Overnight Stays)
11,724
(Jobs Within the Industry)
£1.04bn
(Annual Income)
Latest news
Hopetown Darlington opens its doors on Tuesday 16 July
20 May 2024
The north’s newest visitor attraction has announced its opening date – and tickets are now available to book. In 1825, a railway journey changed the world forever. Locomotion No. 1 became the first steam locomotive to haul a passenger-carrying train on a public railway – the Stockton and Darlington Railway. It’s Darlington that will be […]
Read More about Hopetown Darlington opens its doors on Tuesday 16 July
The Auckland Project unveils its redeveloped gardens and celebrates with new events
20 May 2024
The Auckland Project, set up by philanthropists Jonathan and Jane Ruffer, will unveil the redesigned Walled Garden on Saturday 25th May, which has been almost a decade in the making. Designed by Pip Morrison, whose previous work includes the reimagined Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, which surrounds the commentative statue of Princess Diana, the […]
Read More about The Auckland Project unveils its redeveloped gardens and celebrates with new events
Kynren's latest recruit begins his training as the show prepares for its summer run
20 May 2024
Cosmo, the majestic grey shire horse is being put through his paces as the latest recruit to join the cast and crew of the north east’s much awaited summer production Kynren – An Epic Tale of England. Preparing for his starring role as a carriage horse, Cosmo is already impressing the cavalry team with his […]
Read More about Kynren's latest recruit begins his training as the show prepares for its summer runSuppliers to industry
n-gage.io
The all-in-one, cloud based attraction management software and audience mobile app, helping the global attraction, leisure & entertainment industry to enhance audience engagement, gain valuable insights & drive revenues. Built from the ground up for the experience economy, the n-gage.io platform and mobile visitor app is helping attractions of all sizes and types to simplify their approach […]
Read More about n-gage.io
Stroodles
Stroodles is an Eco Tableware company, famous for its pasta straws, featured on Dragons Den, BBC Good Food, Unilad, and many more. The Stroodles portfolio also includes edible biscuit spoons and stirrers, edible wafer cups, eco wheat bran plates, biscuit bowls and saucers. The Alchemist, de Longhi, Marriott, Hilton and Selfridges are already stroodling Stroodles […]
Read More about Stroodles
Arty, Inc
Gavin Selby - Creative Designer, Photographer and Filmmaker. Gavin has over 18 years experience within the creative arts and is highly passionate about Graphic Design, Photography, Filmmaking, Video Editing and Animation. Trading under the name Arty, Inc. he works closely with local businesses, authorities and groups to create bespoke content for their online presence (Social Media and search […]
Read More about Arty, Inc
WL Distillery
WL Distillery is a North East based Gin Distillery, combining our passion for gin and the great outdoors by creating authentic tasting gins made with specially selected ingredients. Our recently released First Edition Gin inspired by our distillers Grandads Garden has been crafted to take you on a taste journey of the North East. Combining […]
Read More about WL Distillery
Visit County Durham latest
VCD Blog - Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024
Today (Friday 8 March) is International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It is a chance to reflect on the remarkable feats of women, past and present, while also recognising the amazing women we encounter in our own personal and professional lives. Ultimately, International Women’s Day […]
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VCD Blog - Working together for Durham and the North East
At Visit County Durham we are proud to be a part of a proactive network of regional partners working together to promote and develop Durham and North East England as destinations. As one of the three Local Visitor Economy Partnerships piloting England’s first Destination Development Partnership, we work closely with NewcastleGateshead Initiative and Visit Northumberland, […]
Read More about VCD Blog - Working together for Durham and the North East
A destination for all: Accessibility takes centre stage at tourism conference
Ensuring an excellent welcome for all visitors was the key theme of Visit County Durham’s 2023 Industry Conference.
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Research reveals Memorable Moments marketing campaign generated millions in visitor spend
Visit County Durham’s national destination marketing campaign, Memorable Moments, generated £86.6 million in visitor spend, research has revealed.
Read More about Research reveals Memorable Moments marketing campaign generated millions in visitor spendSocial wall
Having your event listed on This is Durham is valuable exposure to thousands of visitors to Durham.
If you have an event or an exhibition that you’d like us to include in our Week Ahead events listing guide you can submit this easily here 👇
https://tinyurl.com/545fznfk
VisitEngland is working with AccessAble to support hospitality and tourism businesses across England to provide detailed descriptions of their venue accessibility for visitors.
Through AccessAble’s new Your Accessibility Guide portal, businesses can book and pay for either a guided or ...on-site assessment of their venue, where a professional surveyor will create a quality-assured Detailed Access Guide.
Find out more here 👇
https://www.visitcountydurham.org/news/visitengland-joins-forces-with-accessable-to-promote-new-tourism-accessibility-guides/
Supplier Partner Celebrate Difference ADHD is a Social Enterprise based in Consett, whose vision is to improve social equality for those with ADHD and other neurodiverse conditions.
Their team is mainly Neurodivergent, either diagnosed or self-identify as living with ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia, ...DCD, and many other co-conditions.
Find out how they could support you here 👇
https://www.visitcountydurham.org/supplier/celebrate-difference/?parent=suppliers-to-industry/
The search is back on for Durham’s Tourism Superstars! 🌟
We are asking for nominations for people working in any part of the visitor economy, who are able to represent their profession.
Find out more and nominate here 👇
...https://www.visitcountydurham.org/durham-tourism-superstar/
Visit County Durham's Northern Saints Trails Passport encourages walkers to seek out locations along the Northern Saints routes to obtain stamps as a record of their visit.
Marketing activity promotes participating businesses, driving footfall to those taking part.
Get in touch to... find out more about stocking or participating in the passport here 👇
Craig.Wilson@visitcountydurham.org
Last week Visit County Durham welcomed Tom from Stepping Through Film to the county. Thomas was visiting the county as part of the Do Durham Differently campaign, to create content promoting the many different filming locations across the county, from 1917 in the Durham Dales to Harry Potter at ...Durham Cathedral and Billy Elliott on the Heritage Coast.
VisitBritain’s research shows that films and TV are powerful motivators for travel, and through our activity with Stepping Through Film, we aim to encourage more ‘set-jetting’ visitors to visit the county, and highlight the vast array of movies and tv shows that have been filmed in the county.
Keep an eye on Tom’s Instagram channel for the Durham content, which is due to be published soon 👇
https://www.instagram.com/steppingthroughfilm/
Durham Fringe Festival returns for its fourth year from Wednesday 24 - Sunday 28 July with a range of exciting opportunities for businesses to get involved. With 250 performances over the five days, it is fast becoming one of the region’s most popular performing arts festivals.
The festival ...team, in partnership with Durham BID, would love to maximise footfall through Fringe Week, and are also seeking Hosting Partners.
Find out more here 👇
https://durhamfringe.co.uk/join-the-buzz/
If you are registered to provide us with your occupancy or visitor numbers via T-stats please check your inbox for your monthly reminder.
The data enables Visit County Durham to review the performance of the destination and better represent the interests of the industry at local, regional and ...national levels.
If you aren’t already sharing your information but would like to, or for more information please email 👇
research@visitcountydurham.org
Today is International Museum Day!
This year’s theme, “Museums for Education and Research,” underscores the pivotal role of cultural institutions in providing a holistic educational experience. This day pushes for a more conscious, sustainable and inclusive world.
From Durham ...University Things To Do Oriental Museum to Beamish Museum -England's largest open air museum and The Bowes Museum in the Durham Dales, your visitors will be spoilt for choice.
Find out more here 👇
https://www.thisisdurham.com/.../museums-and-galleries
#IMD2024