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.
Destination performance
21.56m
(Visitors Annually)
Over 6m
(75 Attractions)
8%
(Overnight Stays)
13,795
(Jobs Within the Industry)
£1.38bn
(Annual Income)
Latest news
Funding in store for Beamish Museum to help increase access to collections
16 Dec 2025
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North is celebrating being awarded £49,000 from Art Fund, the national charity for museums and galleries, to improve access to its collections. The funding is part of a total of £1.3million awarded through the latest round of Art Fund’s Reimagine programme, supporting innovative collections projects in museums and galleries […]
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VisitEngland announces Tourism Superstar finalists for 2026
15 Dec 2025
VisitEngland has today, 15 December, revealed the 10 finalists to make the shortlist of its Tourism Superstar competition. VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar competition, now in its 14th year, seeks out champions working in tourism who provide fantastic experiences for visitors, as well as showcasing the variety and quality of England’s tourism offer, businesses and destinations. The 10 […]
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Raby launches wellness series for the New Year
11 Dec 2025
A leading north east lifestyle destination has introduced a new wellness programme, designed to encourage renewal, reflection and reconnection in the new year. Raby Castle, Park and Gardens has teamed up with holistic wellness brand, Guid-ed, to create the Raby Reset, a four-part series featuring workshops and meditation sessions to encourage attendees to slow down, […]
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Dalton Moor Farm - Vegan Fruit Farm
Food & Drinks from Dalton Moor Farm Dalton Moor Farm produces Award Winning Apple Juice and Fruit Juices, Traditional ‘Real’ Cider, Apple Cider Vinegar, ‘Bee Free Vegan HUNNY’, a range of Fruit Jams, Chutneys and Marmalades, and herbal teas. We choose single-use-plastic-free packaging. All our products are made with fruits and herbs grown veganically on […]
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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 […]
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Shout Loud Social
We aim to simplify digital marketing for businesses by providing comprehensive services all in one place. Based at Ushaw House on the outskirts of Durham City, our team specialises in a wide range of services, including: Our approach is designed to alleviate the burden on business owners and senior leadership teams who may find digital […]
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Envision Design Group
Based in vibrant Newcastle, we are a dynamic architectural and interior design firm serving diverse industries nationwide. With a passion for innovation and a commitment to excellence, we collaborate closely with our clients to deliver inspired solutions tailored to their unique needs. Whether it's residential, commercial, or industrial projects, we bring creativity, expertise, and a […]
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Visit County Durham latest
North East Combined Authority sets growth plans for the North East visitor economy
The North East Combined Authority (NECA) has published Cabinet papers ahead of its meeting on 9 December, outlining proposals regarding growth plans for the North East visitor economy including organisational arrangements for a new regional tourism body – provisionally titled Experience North East England. The new body is intended to work collaboratively with Local Authorities, the […]
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Government Consultation on a Potential Tourism Levy – Have Your Say
The UK Government has launched a consultation on proposals that would enable Mayoral Combined Authorities to introduce a tourism levy. If implemented, the levy could be applied to visitor accommodation to raise funds for local services and visitor economy investment. Summary The consultation seeks views on the design of a new Mayoral power to create […]
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Durham Cricket partnership shortlisted for national award
The inspiring partnership between the county’s new place brand, The Durham Story, and Durham Cricket’s first professional women’s team, has been recognised nationally after being named as a finalist in the ECB Business of Cricket Awards 2025. To ensure long-term success, Durham Cricket needed the right partners, those who not only aligned with their values, […]
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County Durham showcased as a cultural, heritage and investment destination during US Civic Delegation visit
A civic delegation from Durham, North Carolina, USA – sister city to Durham, UK – has been welcomed to County Durham as part of a cultural exchange programme. The event was hosted by Durham County Council and supported by the council’s international team within Visit County Durham, working alongside key partners. The visit, which built […]
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