Visit County Durham

Visit County Durham (VCD) is the destination management organisation for County Durham and one of a portfolio of nationally supported, strategic, and high-performing accredited Local Visitor Economy Partnerships. We provide strong local leadership and governance, and are committed to the promotion, management, and development of County Durham as a great place to live, work, visit and do business.

Visit County Durham works in partnership locally, regionally, and nationally on shared priorities and targets. Our mission is to support and grow the visitor economy through robust destination management, strong stakeholder relationships and clear planning.

Our vision is to create the conditions for our residents, businesses, and the environment to benefit from sustainable growth in our visitor economy. By supporting and marketing our distinctive heritage, landscapes, culture and warm welcome, we will grow both day and overnight visits and make County Durham a compelling, global destination for tourism, culture, and business.

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Durhamโ€™s Visitor Economy Exceeds ยฃ1 Billion Milestone

Durhamโ€™s Visitor Economy Exceeds ยฃ1 Billion Milestone

Tourism contributed ยฃ1.23 billion to Durhamโ€™s economy, the latest industry research has revealed.

Durham Story

Durham Story

Discover more about our exciting new approach to promoting the county.

Join Us

From attractions and accommodation providers to places to eat, things to do and local suppliers, Visit County Durham Partnership brings benefits through promoting and developing any type or size of business.

Join Us

Filming Friendly Durham

Supporting production companies, filmmakers and photographers, make Durham your next destination.

Filming Friendly Durham
Nominate Your Durham Tourism Superstar

Nominate Your Durham Tourism Superstar

Nominations are now open to find Durham's next Tourism Superstar 2025.

Find a Supplier

Find a Supplier

Visit County Durham work with a number of Supplier Partnerโ€™s who offer services which are directly relevant to tourism businesses.

Seasonal Marketing Opportunities

Throughout the year Visit County Durham partners can take advantage of a programme of free, and cost-effective promotional opportunities for your business.

Seasonal Marketing Opportunities

Image Library

The online media centre is free to use and allows you to access key photography and videography from across the county. All of which showcases the countyโ€™s many amazing attractions, food and drink experiences, breathtaking landscapes, fun things to do and more!

Image Library

Destination performance

Visitors
Visitors in Durham

20.15m

(Visitors Annually)

Visits to Attractions
Attractions in Durham

6.5m

(75 Attractions)

Staying Visitors
Accommodation in Durham

8%

(Overnight Stays)

Employment
Tourism employment in Durham

13,178

(Jobs Within the Industry)

Visitor Economy
Durhams Visitor economy

ยฃ1.23bn

(Annual Income)

Latest news

MasterChef Champion Dan Merriman partners with Faru for exclusive three-night tasting menu in Durhamย 

4 Jun 2025

โ€ฏFood lovers in the North East are in for a treat! From Thursday 12th June to Saturday 14th June, MasterChef: The Professionals 2024 winner Dan Merriman will join Jake Siddle, head chef and co-founder of Faru, for a limited, collaborative tasting menu at the acclaimed fine dining restaurant in Durham.ย  Since opening its doors in […]

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Top TV chef to headline Seaham Food Festival

29 May 2025

TV presenter, chef and culinary author John Torode MBE has been announced as the headline chef at this yearโ€™s Seaham Food Festival. The Durham County Council-run festival will be back on Seahamโ€™s coastline on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August, offering a weekend full of tasty treats from the regionโ€™s traders, family-friendly entertainment and inspiring […]

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Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa opens the barn door

27 May 2025

A summer events space at one of the North Eastโ€™s top hotels has been given a stylish upgrade. Every year Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa near Durham erects a marquee which is used from May to September for weddings. But this time round the award-winning hotel has upped its game โ€“ by creating a […]

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Suppliers to industry

Broom House Farm

Broom House Farm

Broom House Farm is an organic farm situated high above the Browney River Valley and overlooking Durham City. We breed our own Aberdeen Angus beef, lamb, mutton and Saddleback pork. The butchery displays in our farm shop showcase these products, properly hung and skilfully presented by our master butchery team. People travel miles to get […]

Read More about Broom House Farm
McColl's Brewery

McColl's Brewery

Established back in 2016 by Daniel and Gemma McColl, McColl's Brewery was created to bring their North East warmth, a love of easy drinking beers and their passion for open and welcoming hospitality to being. To be involved in all aspects of a product, from its creation right through to its dispense and see the […]

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Watts Up Consulting

Watts Up Consulting

Watts Up Consulting is a Durham-based energy company, dedicated to helping local businesses to manage their utility costs, while also giving back to the local community. We offer free, no-obligation utility bill checks to identify hidden charges and secure better deals on gas, electric, water and more.  What sets us apart is our commitment to […]

Read More about Watts Up Consulting
East Durham College

East Durham College

At East Durham College we provide an entire suite of services aimed at improving the quality of your workforce and helping your company to function better. And the great news for your business is that we can access funds directly to reduce your training costs. Education and training, as you would expect, lie at the […]

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Visit County Durham latest

Durham shortlisted for national award

Durham shortlisted for national award

Durham has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Group Leisure & Travel Awards 2025. The county has been nominated by readers of Group Leisure and Travel magazine and is now in the running to be voted Best UK Destination.

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Exciting new Story launched for Durhamย 

Exciting new Story launched for Durhamย 

An exciting new approach to promoting the county was unveiled yesterday (18 March), with over 80 stakeholders attending the launch of the โ€˜Durham storyโ€™. The event, hosted by Durham County Council and Durham University at Gala Durham, was the culmination of a 12-month project which has seen engagement with hundreds of stakeholders from across the […]

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New collaboration seeks to attract French visitors to North East England

New collaboration seeks to attract French visitors to North East England

Newcastle Airport and destination development partnership, Destination North East England have collaborated with Expedia Group on a new campaign targeting visitors from France. Capitalising on the new easyJet route between Paris and Newcastle, the digital campaign aims to drive flight bookings, and overnight stays by highlighting the unique experiences visitors can take advantage of when […]

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VCD Blog - Progress and pace continues as we look forward with optimism

VCD Blog - Progress and pace continues as we look forward with optimism

As 2025 is now in full swing it feels great to be looking ahead with excitement and optimism.

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