Blog

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 to showcase Durham at the Great Yorkshire Show.  Accompanied by partners from Kynren, The Auckland Project, Raby Estates, The Weardale Railway and Radisson Blu they engaged with hundreds of people - a great opportunity as Yorkshire represents a target market for the county making it an excellent opportunity to promote the county.

In July Visit County Durham partnered with Group Leisure and Travel Magazine on a familiarisation visit to the county. The group was made up of 12 group travel organisers and tour operators who spent two nights in Durham experiencing some of the best it has to offer. As well as the season preview of Kynren, the group visited The Auckland Project, Raby Castle, The Bowes Museum and Beamish Museum.

As Kynren, An Epic Tale of England got into full swing for another year visitors got the chance to experience the new Viking Village complete with cookhouse, cottages and a working blacksmith’s forge all recreated as part of the spectacular live outdoor theatre production.

There were celebrations on the site of Kynren as a key member of the team was 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 organised by Visit County Durham.

Summer 2024 was a season of celebrations as it saw the opening of new attractions and significant developments at others. The Story in Durham opened its doors celebrating the past, present and future of County Durham.

New Hall at Locomotion opened in May telling the story of the North East’s role in early railway development and becoming the largest undercover collection of historic railway vehicles in Europe. The museum will be a key part of next year S&DR200 festival. The nine-month international festival is taking place across County Durham and Tees Valley will celebrate the 200^th anniversary of the first journey on the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

After six years of planning Raby Castle opened its doors and begun welcoming visitors to it newly developed grounds. The 24-acre site featuring the walled garden along with old and new buildings is an ambitious scheme providing a stunning destination for the local community and visitors from far and wide. 

Visitors to Beamish, The Living Museum of the North were given a chance to see the brand new 1950s cinema, toy shop, electrical and record shop.  Stepping further back in time the Georgian Drovers Tavern and pottery is an addition to the 1820s Landscape. 

Throughout the summer Visit County Durham has continued to provide dedicated support to the new developments whilst working with the media to secure comprehensive print and broadcast coverage.

This latest activity and the new developments will further boost visitor numbers and spend following recent results which show the value of tourism hit £1.23b in 2023.