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
21.98m
(Visitors Annually)
Over 8m
(75 Attractions)
8%
(Overnight Stays)
14,069
(Jobs Within the Industry)
£1.49bn
(Annual Income)
Latest news
New destination marketing agency for North East England announced
3 Jun 2026
Visit County Durham looks forward to working in partnership with Experience North East England (formerly NewcastleGateshead Initiative), and continuing to play a leading role in the development of the county and wider region’s visitor economy. The region has a long-standing tradition of coming together to achieve great things, and with this new approach we can […]
Read More about New destination marketing agency for North East England announcedCounty Durham set to host prestigious countryside event
28 May 2026
Future Countryside, the leading national forum for rural policy and debate, will take place at Raby Castle on 2 June 2026. Now in its fourth year, Future Countryside returns at a defining moment for rural Britain. The countryside is under real pressure, but it is also full of energy, ideas and opportunity. This makes the need for […]
Read More about County Durham set to host prestigious countryside eventHeritage rail journey supports people living with dementia during National Dementia Week
22 May 2026
A dedicated heritage rail experience was held on the Weardale Railway in support of National Dementia Week, welcoming people living with dementia and their carers for a memorable day out through the Durham Dales. Around 50 to 60 guests boarded the heritage DMU service at Bishop Auckland West, travelling to Stanhope while enjoying the scenic […]
Read More about Heritage rail journey supports people living with dementia during National Dementia WeekSuppliers to industry
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 […]
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Janet and John Kiddies Rides Limited
Our family business will be 38 years old in 2026 and continues to go from Strength to Strength. We provide ancilliary equipment to the leisure, hospitality and tourism sector. We work with some of the UK National Brewery's, two of the National service station operators and some of the largest tourist attractions in the UK. […]
Read More about Janet and John Kiddies Rides Limited
Celebrate Difference
Celebrate Difference LTD is a Social Enterprise based in Consett, whose vision is to improve social equality for those with ADHD and other neurodiverse conditions. Our team is mainly Neurodivergent, either diagnosed or self-identify as living with ADHD, Autism, Dyspraxia, DCD, and many other co-conditions. Through lived experience, we absolutely resonate with our clients and stakeholders and […]
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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 FarmVisit County Durham latest
Visit County Durham joins UKREiiF panel on the impact of events on the economy
Michelle Gorman, managing director at Visit County Durham, took part in a thought-provoking panel this week, as part of the North East Pavilion at UKREiiF, the leading forum for real estate, investment, and infrastructure, on unlocking world-class spaces for major events. The experience economy has become a lifestyle choice, with consumers now consistently prioritising an […]
Read More about Visit County Durham joins UKREiiF panel on the impact of events on the economyVisit County Durham hosts VisitBritain chief executive for county showcase
Visit County Durham was delighted to host a visit from Patricia Yates last week, Chief Executive Officer of VisitBritain/VisitEngland. Following significant investment in the county’s visitor economy in recent years, through new and enhanced attractions and accommodation, and with even more yet to come, the visit was an excellent opportunity to strengthen ties with the […]
Read More about Visit County Durham hosts VisitBritain chief executive for county showcaseVisit County Durham delivers successful North East showcase at national travel trade show
Visit County Durham led a delegation at the British Tourism and Travel Show, held in Birmingham earlier this month, showcasing the region to group travel organisers, tour and coach operators, on the first ever Destination North East England stand. The event, the UK’s leading group travel exhibition, attracted over 2,000 industry professionals and more than […]
Read More about Visit County Durham delivers successful North East showcase at national travel trade showVisit County Durham connects with travel media at VisitEngland PR event
Visit County Durham showcased the county’s latest tourism stories to national travel media at a VisitEngland PR networking event in London. The event took place at The Hoxton Southwark, bringing together destinations from across England with leading travel and lifestyle journalists, international correspondents, content creators and freelance writers. The networking evening provided a valuable opportunity for destinations to share new tourism developments, experiences and story […]
Read More about Visit County Durham connects with travel media at VisitEngland PR event



