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All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.

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Format: 29-12-2023

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Format: 30-12-2023

Industry

Bookings open at Raby Castle's magnificent new event space, marking milestone for 'Rising' development

7 Sep 2023

Raby Castle’s ‘Rising’ development has marked a momentous milestone, as bookings for 2024 events open in its magnificent new events spaces. The iconic spaces will welcome guests to enjoy unique events opportunities in the stunning historical surroundings. The Rising project has seen the...

Visit County Durham

Flying the flag for Durham and North East England in the USA

6 Sep 2023

Durham and North East England will be showcased to more than 50 top travel buyers from across North America at a major travel trade event this week.

Industry

Top visitor award for the Spanish Gallery and Auckland Castle

29 Aug 2023

One of the North East’s most popular visitor attractions and historic sites has scooped a prestigious tourism award which places it in the top 10% of attractions worldwide. Part of The Auckland Project, The Spanish Gallery and Auckland Castle, located on the main site in the heart of Bishop...

Industry

Raby Castle nominated for prestigious VisitEngland welcome accolade

29 Aug 2023

Raby Castle has been nominated for the prestigious VisitEngland ‘Welcome’ Accolade after its staff scored 100% in a recent assessment. Staff across visitor services, catering and retail as well as tour guides and volunteers within the castle were awarded marks out of five for customer care,...

Industry

Time to swan about at Ramside Treehouses

9 Aug 2023

The continued success of a County Durham hotel’s unique treehouses has led to the creation of two new properties. Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa has just unveiled Swan and Kingfisher, two additional glass fronted A frame house, which represents a further £500,000 investment at the luxury...

Industry

Raby Castle's 'Rising' development marks major milestone as work commences on new panoramic café restaurant

1 Aug 2023

Raby Castle’s ‘Rising’ development has marked a major milestone as work commences on the estate’s new Vinery Café Restaurant. The new eatery, a stylish and airy recreation of the Victorian glasshouse which once stood in the same spot, will offer panoramic views to the castle and parkland...

Industry

New museum opening this October to explore encounters, experiences and expressions of faith in Britain

24 Jul 2023

It’s been 10 years in the making, and countless challenges have been encountered along the way, but we’ve kept the faith, and now it’s finally ready – the Faith Museum opens to the public on 7 October 2023. The Faith Museum explores the myriad ways in which faith has shaped lives and...

Industry

Region celebrates £5.4bn tourism milestone and bold ambitions for visitor economy

24 Jul 2023

The tourism sector in the North East is now worth £5.4bn, the first time it has exceeded £5bn since 2019. Tourism is the fourth largest sector in the North East and is England’s third largest employer. Latest STEAM* figures for 2022 have revealed that the tourism sector in the North East is...

Visit County Durham

A message from Visit County Durham's managing director, Michelle Gorman.

20 Jul 2023

I hope you are having a good week and are set for the busy summer ahead. I am sure many of you will have already heard the fantastic news about how tourism contributed more than £1 billion to Durham's economy for the first time ever in 2022. For while visitor numbers have not yet reached […]

Industry

Prince Bishops Place

20 Jul 2023

Citrus Group, owners of Prince Bishops Place, is keen to hear your views on proposals for the regeneration of the shopping centre. Their exciting redevelopment plans seek to broaden the centre's offer and secure its future viability.

Industry

Attractions survey

20 Jul 2023

The 2022 Annual Attractions Survey results have been published on the VisitEngland website, including the full trends report and individual attraction listings and top 20 lists - the lists of English attractions included in the report only feature those that chose to participate and agree to make...

Industry

Tourism Awards masterclass

20 Jul 2023

Thinking of entering the 2024 North East England Tourism Awards and want to get your application noticed? Join tourism industry expert Nell Barrington for a masterclass on Tuesday 25th July or Monday 14th August. Spaces are limited, so sign up now.

Industry

Ai Weiwei among five world-renowned artists announced for Lumiere 2023, the UK’s light art biennial

20 Jul 2023

Lumiere, the UK’s light art biennial, has announced five world-renowned artists who will exhibit their work at this year’s event in Durham from the 16th – 19th November 2023. For four nights only, the city will be transformed into a nocturnal art experience with spectacular light...

Visit County Durham

Penny farthing riding TikTok sensation crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2023

19 Jul 2023

A museum engager who has devoted almost 40 years to ensuring visitors have an unforgettable experience has been crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2023.

Industry

Changing Places

14 Jul 2023

Over a quarter of a million people cannot use standard accessible toilets, these needs are met by Changing Places toilets. On Wednesday 19th July, the Changing Places Awareness Day takes place. This day celebrates everything the Changing Places campaign has achieved so far, as well as raising...