Make your Next Stop Durham

UK holiday makers are being urged to explore the beauty of their own country before jetting off to other destinations. A new campaign is highlighting why Durham should be at the top of everyone’s must visit list. Its unique and diverse experiences and world-class attractions make it the perfect...

Do Durham Differently Delivers Great Results

Research has shown that Do Durham Differently, Visit County Durham’s national destination marketing campaign, contributed an estimated £103m in visitor spend – over 8% of the county’s total annual economic impact. The campaign, which ran from autumn 2023 to spring 2024, was delivered in partnership with the tourism industry and featured high profile marketing activity […]

Durham and Spain lead the way in walking route partnership

The partnership between Durham and north west Spain strengthened this week, as representatives from A Coruña Provincial Council visited the county. The region-to-region partnership, which has been in place for several years, aims to promote the English Way, or Camino Ingles, pilgrimage route and the Northern Saints Trails. Highlighting the connections between County Durham and […]

VCD Blog - A summer of success

As the signs of autumn begin to show the Visit County Durham team is reflecting on a summer that has seen a number of successful activities take place, driving visitor numbers, supporting partners and raising the county’s profile in the UK and overseas. The team kicked off the summer with a trip to North Yorkshire […]

Kynren volunteer crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2024

A key member of one of Durham’s star attractions has been crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2024. Wendy Wilshere, Head of Casting and Engagement at 11 Arches- the organisation behind  Kynren, secured the most public votes in the annual competition, which is organised by Visit County Durham, Durham County Council’s tourism service.

Latest tourism figures for Durham build on bumper £1bn milestone

The latest STEAM* figures, which calculate the volume and value of the county’s visitor economy, show that Durham has continued to build on the bumper £1bn milestone achieved in 2022, with results showing expenditure rose by 18.8% in 2023, to £1.23bn. Overall, 20.15 million people visited the county, an increase of 12.5%. Durham also recorded […]

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 […]

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, […]

What's New for 2025

A number of exciting new openings will be taking place across the county in 2024, further enhancing Durham’s offer, attracting new audiences and encouraging return visits. Raby Estates Ambitious renovations and developments are underway at Raby Estates, as they expand the visitor offer at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens. The Rising development has now opened and […]