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Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Outdoor spectacular Kynren nominated for national award
2 Jun 2023
Spellbinding live outdoor show Kynren – An Epic Tale of England, is in the running for a national award celebrating UK visitor attractions. The Bishop Auckland show has been included on the shortlist for Best Event for Groups in the Group Leisure and Travel awards, which take place in October....
Read More about Outdoor spectacular Kynren nominated for national awardDog days are coming to Dalton Park!
25 May 2023
Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination is set to become dog friendly from Bank Holiday Monday 29th May and is planning a day of doggy delights to mark the occasion. The event, which starts at 10am will include best behaved dog trials, a doggy selfie spot (with optional doggy dress up), and a...
Read More about Dog days are coming to Dalton Park!“It’s a pleasure to ride on now”: County Durham cycle route gets £1.5million upgrade
24 May 2023
A £1.5million upgrade of County Durham’s main cycling, wheeling and walking route has been completed, with a new glow in the dark section among the improvements made. Durham County Council has worked with Sustrans to deliver the improvements on the National Cycle Network Route 1 (NCN1), which...
Read More about “It’s a pleasure to ride on now”: County Durham cycle route gets £1.5million upgradeNew Treehouses at Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa
19 May 2023
The Continued success of a County Durham hotel’s unique treehouses has led to the creation of two new properties. Construction is currently underway of Swan and Kingfisher, two additional glass fronted A frame houses at Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa on the outskirts of Durham. The two extra...
Read More about New Treehouses at Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and SpaStar Quality at Park Head Hotel
17 May 2023
Park Head Hotel & Restaurant, Bishop Auckland, has received a glowing review from Visit England, its first official assessment after reopening in February 2023. The Visit England team have awarded Park Head Hotel a high Three Star Hotel accreditation and a Breakfast Award in recognition of the...
Read More about Star Quality at Park Head HotelCoffee Shop training
10 May 2023
Thinking about opening a coffee shop? VCD Supplier Partner Durham Coffee has just launched a new course 'How to start your own Coffee Shop'. The course introduces you to barista skills and a good coffee bar set-up; creating a business plan, and talks you through the important practical steps and...
Read More about Coffee Shop trainingChester-le-EATS 2023
10 May 2023
After a hugely successful 2022 event, Chester-le-EATS is back and will take place at Seat Unique Riverside, the home of Durham Cricket, on the weekend of Saturday 30th September and Sunday 1st October 2023. Event organisers are now welcoming applications from traders for more information and to...
Read More about Chester-le-EATS 2023Commemorations to leave a lasting Coronation legacy for people and nature
9 May 2023
The Government will leave a lasting public legacy for people and nature with the renaming of the England Coast Path to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. As Prince of Wales, His Majesty expressed a deep love and concern for England’s wildlife, natural and rural places,...
Read More about Commemorations to leave a lasting Coronation legacy for people and natureNew Partnership: Durham Cricket are delighted to welcome Host & Stay as their new staycation partner
4 May 2023
Local North East business Host & Stay, one of the UK’s fastest-growing, family owned, holiday home management businesses, has partnered with Durham Cricket Club in a multi-year deal. The SDDE Smith Group and Host & Stay are now the clubs Principal Partner and Principal...
Read More about New Partnership: Durham Cricket are delighted to welcome Host & Stay as their new staycation partnerBank Holiday Tracker
3 May 2023
A VisitEngland survey shows that millions of Brits are definitely planning an overnight holiday break in the UK during the Bank Holiday weekend for the Coronation, bringing an estimated £1.2 billion boost to the economy. VisitEngland's 'Coronation Weekend Trip Tracker' survey also showed that...
Read More about Bank Holiday TrackerFirst look at Stack Bishop Auckland
3 May 2023
Developers have given the first glimpse of how an exciting County Durham leisure operation will look once it is completed. In March councillors gave the green light to STACK Bishop Auckland, a purpose-built two storey building with a roof terrace at Newgate Street. The mixed use building will house...
Read More about First look at Stack Bishop AucklandWith Help from Our Friends…
28 Apr 2023
Beamish Museum has received £225,000 from the Friends of Beamish – taking the Friends’ total donations to an amazing £2.1million. The latest donation, which is from the Friends of Beamish and Business Friends of Beamish, will go towards the Remaking Beamish project, which is currently...
Read More about With Help from Our Friends…VisitEngland Awards
26 Apr 2023
VisitEngland has announced that this year's VisitEngland Awards for Excellence will be held at Warner Bros Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter on 7th June. There were more than 350 entries to the awards comprising local and regional winners from the 16 aligned competitions which have...
Read More about VisitEngland AwardsShort-term Lets consultation
26 Apr 2023
Following its call for evidence into the potential development of an accommodation registration scheme in Autumn 2022, DCMS has now launched a new consultation into how it might design and implement a registration scheme focused on short-term lets. This consultation seeks views on a range of...
Read More about Short-term Lets consultationDurham Cricket aiming to have a blast with most inclusive summer of cricket ever
20 Apr 2023
This summer Durham Cricket is aiming to make Seat Unique Riverside one of the most inclusive and accessible venues in the country. With a number of improvements to the stadium’s facilities already underway, such as the addition of a changing places space, sensory room, hearing loops and...
Read More about Durham Cricket aiming to have a blast with most inclusive summer of cricket ever