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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Durham’s Visitor Economy Exceeds £1 Billion Milestone

Durham’s Visitor Economy Exceeds £1 Billion Milestone

Tourism contributed £1.23 billion to Durham’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
Seasonal Marketing Opportunities

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.

Image Library

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 county’s many amazing attractions, food and drink experiences, breathtaking landscapes, fun things to do and more!

Destination performance

Visitors
Visitors in Durham

21.56m

(Visitors Annually)

Visits to Attractions
Attractions in Durham

Over 6m

(75 Attractions)

Staying Visitors
Accommodation in Durham

8%

(Overnight Stays)

Employment
Tourism employment in Durham

13,795

(Jobs Within the Industry)

Visitor Economy
Durhams Visitor economy

£1.38bn

(Annual Income)

Latest news

North Pennines stargazing festival programme launches

27 Aug 2025

The programme has been launched for this year’s celebration of the dark skies of the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark. The ninth North Pennines Stargazing Festival will run from Wednesday 22 October to Sunday 2 November 2025, with a range of fun and informative events throughout the Autumn half-term holiday. The full […]

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The Auckland Project invests in local skills with new hospitality training programme

26 Aug 2025

Staff and volunteers at The Auckland Project are being given the opportunity to attend hospitality training as part of a new initiative aimed at strengthening the region’s tourism and visitor economy. In partnership with Bishop Auckland College, The Auckland Project has created a bespoke programme titled ‘Land of the Prince Bishop’s HOST’. The training is […]

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Luxmuralis returns to Durham Cathedral as part of Magna Carta and the North exhibition

20 Aug 2025

Luxmuralis is returning for a fourth year to Durham Cathedral with The Storytellers. From Wednesday 8 to Sunday 12 October, visitors will be able to experience stunning light projections of manuscripts, stories and literature, all with an immersive soundscape throughout Durham Cathedral.Since 2022 Durham Cathedral has hosted the annual light show by Luxmuralis, welcoming thousands […]

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Suppliers to industry

New College Durham

New College Durham

New College Durham has over 50 different higher education and professional qualifications in a diverse range of subjects. We deliver these programmes in addition to other professional training options and qualifications to support you in the development of your whole organisation. Enhancing the qualifications and potential of your existing employees is an ideal way of […]

Read More about New College Durham
Stick Marketing

Stick Marketing

We are an experienced brand and digital marketing agency based in Durham City. We apply strategic and creative thinking to your brand, online presence and marketing communications. We are on a mission to deliver you big ideas, true stories, engaging content and real results - all while providing value for money and return on your […]

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Climb & Conquer

Climb & Conquer

Climb & Conquer are a county Durham based specialist marketing agency, focusing on getting websites to the top of Google with SEO and creating profitable advertising with Google Ads management services. The company currently serves over 50 clients within and outside of the UK - covering a wide range of industries. The agency is a […]

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Mapp’s Mortgage & Insurance Ltd

Mapp’s Mortgage & Insurance Ltd

For 30 years, Mapps have been providing expert advice on mortgages, protection and insurance to both businesses and private clients across County Durham. Based in Crook, we are a family owned business headed up by brother and sister team Peter Mapp and Vivienne Page who combine friendly service with unrivalled industry knowledge to find you […]

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Visit County Durham latest

Champions set to showcase Durham on a global scale

Champions set to showcase Durham on a global scale

Businesses, organisations and individuals from across County Durham have come together for the first Durham Champions – an exciting new county-wide network made up of people who are passionate about the place and want to see it thrive. It follows the recent launch of the county’s place brand - ‘The Durham Story’ - spearheaded by […]

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Visit County Durham partners with 11 Arches to showcase the county 

Visit County Durham partners with 11 Arches to showcase the county 

As Kynren, An Epic Tale of England celebrates its 10th anniversary season, Visit County Durham has partnered with 11 Arches to showcase the multi-award-winning outdoor show and the county to key media publications.  A group of journalists representing regional and national publications enjoyed a visit to Durham to see the preview of the 2025 season, […]

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Durham showcased to thousands at The Great Yorkshire Show

Durham showcased to thousands at The Great Yorkshire Show

Members of the Visit County Durham team headed south last week to fly the flag for Durham at The Great Yorkshire Show. The annual four-day event is a highlight in the agricultural diary attracting 140,000 visitors, the show is an excellent opportunity to promote Durham as Yorkshire represents a target market for the county.

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Group travel partnership to showcase Durham

Group travel partnership to showcase Durham

Visit County Durham has partnered with Group Travel World to showcase the county to key group travel organisers, tour and coach operators. Following a visit to The Auckland Project, preview of the 2025 season of Kynren – An Epic Tale of England, and accommodation at Park Head Hotel, we hosted the group so they could […]

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