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All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
The Auckland Project unveils its redeveloped gardens and celebrates with new events
20 May 2024
The Auckland Project, set up by philanthropists Jonathan and Jane Ruffer, will unveil the redesigned Walled Garden on Saturday 25th May, which has been almost a decade in the making. Designed by Pip Morrison, whose previous work includes the reimagined Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace,...
Read More about The Auckland Project unveils its redeveloped gardens and celebrates with new eventsKynren's latest recruit begins his training as the show prepares for its summer run
20 May 2024
Cosmo, the majestic grey shire horse is being put through his paces as the latest recruit to join the cast and crew of the north east’s much awaited summer production Kynren – An Epic Tale of England. Preparing for his starring role as a carriage horse, Cosmo is already impressing the cavalry...
Read More about Kynren's latest recruit begins his training as the show prepares for its summer runBeamish celebrates national Visitor Welcome Award!
17 May 2024
Beamish. The Living Museum of the North is delighted to have won the national Visitor Welcome Award at the Museums + Heritage Awards 2024. The County Durham open air museum beat off competition from venues around the country to be named winner of the prestigious award at a ceremony in London. The...
Read More about Beamish celebrates national Visitor Welcome Award!Popular TV chefs to star at Seaham Food Festival
16 May 2024
Two popular TV presenters are among the first celebrity chefs to be announced for Seaham Food Festival. The Durham County Council-run festival will return to Seaham’s coastline on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 August, with two days packed with celebrity cookery demonstrations, street entertainment, and...
Read More about Popular TV chefs to star at Seaham Food FestivalVisitEngland joins forces with AccessAble to promote new tourism accessibility guides
16 May 2024
VisitEngland is working with AccessAble to support hospitality and tourism businesses across England to provide detailed descriptions of their venue accessibility for visitors. Through AccessAble’s new Your Accessibility Guide portal, businesses can book and pay for either a guided or on-site...
Read More about VisitEngland joins forces with AccessAble to promote new tourism accessibility guidesNominate your Tourism Superstar
15 May 2024
A reminder to nominate your Durham Tourism Superstar by Friday 7th June. Delivered in association with The Northern Echo, the award recognises the dedication and passion of those working in Durham's tourism industry and showcases the best in customer service offered to visitors to the county. If...
Read More about Nominate your Tourism SuperstarProud Allies training
15 May 2024
Proud allies training raises awareness and increases confidence around inclusive language and engaging with LGBTQIA+ communities and people. Delivered by Northern Pride in partnership with Curious Arts, we are offering three free sessions at Delta Hotels by Marriott in Durham on the...
Read More about Proud Allies trainingBusiness Growth opportunity
15 May 2024
Are you running a tourism and hospitality business and looking for ways to improve your profitability? The Durham Business Growth Programme has expert advisors to help you focus on practical ways to boost your business exposure, leads and sales. Eligible businesses receive a tailored action plan,...
Read More about Business Growth opportunitySuccessful partnership promoting the Durham Coast renewed
13 May 2024
A partnership that is helping to raise awareness of Durham’s coastal tourism offer with international audiences has been renewed. Visit County Durham is once again joining forces with the National Coastal Tourism Academy (NCTA) to promote the county’s dramatic coastline as a sustainable...
Read More about Successful partnership promoting the Durham Coast renewedPartnership promotes Durham as holiday destination to cricket fans
13 May 2024
Visit County Durham has renewed its partnership with Durham Cricket as international top-flight cricket heads to Chester-le-Street’s Riverside ground. The destination management organisation has been working in partnership with Durham Cricket since 2020 to promote Durham to cricket fans,...
Read More about Partnership promotes Durham as holiday destination to cricket fansFunding boost for reimagined cultural venue
10 May 2024
A cultural venue that will bring internationally significant exhibitions to County Durham has been awarded £500,000, as work gets underway on site. Durham County Council has secured the grant from Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme to support its plans to reopen the former...
Read More about Funding boost for reimagined cultural venueRaby Castle champions local contractors and heritage skills
9 May 2024
As the ambitious two-year development scheme, The Rising nears completion, Raby Castle has used the North East’s most skilled local contractors and suppliers to complete the new retail, hospitality and events destination. The Rising, a collection of restored heritage buildings, two thoughtfully...
Read More about Raby Castle champions local contractors and heritage skillsFunding boost for reimagined cultural venue
9 May 2024
A cultural venue that will bring internationally significant exhibitions to County Durham has been awarded £500,000, as work gets underway on site. Durham County Council has secured the grant from Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme to support its plans to reopen the former...
Read More about Funding boost for reimagined cultural venueMeet up and make a difference
8 May 2024
As part of VCD's commitment to deliver more sustainable events and drive regenerative tourism growth, we have introduced a theoretical free place at our training days and events. This entails donating the cost of the day delegate rate and a Supplier Partner stand at each event to the County Durham...
Read More about Meet up and make a differenceTourism Awards open for applications
8 May 2024
Applications are now open for the 2025 North East England Tourism Awards! With 16 categories to choose from there's sure to be one that suits your business. You can enter as many categories as are relevant to you and your team. To help you with writing and submitting an application, workshops will...
Read More about Tourism Awards open for applications