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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

Visit County Durham

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

4 Nov 2024

2024 has been a fantastic year for the county, and now our focus moves to the year ahead, and how we can support businesses to continue to succeed and grow the value of the visitor economy beyond the current record £1.23bn. Visit County Durham’s annual Autumn Conference, taking place on 6...

Industry

New exhibition gives a voice to children from the past, present and future

4 Nov 2024

Fascinating untold stories of children from County Durham’s past will be the focus of a new exhibition curated by young people. ‘Welcome to our County: The Children of Yesterday and Tomorrow’ has been devised and created by Durham Youth Council and opens on Saturday 2 November at The Story...

Industry

Bishop Auckland is Aglow with the ultimate festive experience

4 Nov 2024

A sell-out Christmas light trail that dazzled visitors to Bishop Auckland last year, is returning this November and December with a range of new installations and updated route, complemented by a new indoor festive event, Christmas at the Palace. AGLOW at Auckland Palace, organised by...

Industry

Bishop Auckland attraction earns ultimate tourism accolade

25 Oct 2024

The Auckland Project in County Durham has achieved the highest rating from VisitEngland in its ‘Visitor Attraction Accolades for 2023-2024'. The Bishop Auckland collection of attractions attained ‘Gold’ after its Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme assessment, which is awarded to places...

Industry

Framing fashion: Art and inspiration from a private collection of Vivienne Westwood is open at The Bowes Museum

25 Oct 2024

Experience a golden decade of design with only-to-be-seen-here clothing from the late designer set among never-before-shown Museum objects.This unique show features some of Westwood’s most recognisable creations from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s, loaned to the Barnard Castle Museum by the...

Industry

Dates announced for Bishop Auckland Food Festival 2025

24 Oct 2024

Food fans are encouraged to save the date for the return of one of the region’s biggest food festivals. Durham County Council has confirmed Bishop Auckland Food Festival will return to the town on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April. Each year the two-day event attracts thousands of visitors for a...

Industry

VisitEngland announces 2023-2024 Visitor Attraction Accolades winners

22 Oct 2024

VisitEngland has today, 22 October, revealed the winners of its Visitor Attraction Accolades for 2023-2024, recognising excellence within the visitor attraction sector. Accolades were awarded to 72 English attractions covering all aspects of what makes an outstanding visitor experience....

Industry

Weardale Railway’s Santa Express expands to meet high demand for Christmas 2024

21 Oct 2024

Weardale Railway has launched its 2024 Santa Express train rides, offering a record 22 dates and 74 trains operating between November 16th and December 24th, 2024. This is the largest schedule they've ever run. This week, they are delighted to announce, after seeing many of the VIP &...

Industry

Forestry England launches Forest Walkies route in Hamsterley Forest

21 Oct 2024

Tails are set to wag and noses to twitch as Forestry England invites you to take your dog on the ultimate forest dog walk with Wallace & Gromit as they unveil a brand-new Forest Walkies route in Hamsterley Forest. The route is one of 22 across the nation’s forests and has been developed...

Industry

The Best Places to Visit, Dine, Stay and Experience in North East England Shortlisted in Prestigious Awards

18 Oct 2024

The shortlist for the North East England Tourism Awards has been revealed, as a spotlight is shined on the North East’s tourism hotspots. For more than 20 years, the North East England Tourism Awards have helped to champion the region’s vibrant and diverse multi-million-pound tourism and...

Industry

New Ted Holloway exhibition launches at Bishop Auckland Mining Art Gallery

15 Oct 2024

A new exhibition at the Mining Art Gallery brings together a selection of Ted Holloway’s paintings and drawings highlighting his journey from miner to art teacher to professional artist. Opening on Saturday 19th October at the gallery in Bishop Auckland, the Ted Holloway: A Bevin Boy...

Industry

Julia Handelman-Smith named new Programme Director of Into the Light

14 Oct 2024

Into the Light is pleased to announce the appointment of Julia Handelman-Smith as its new Programme Director. Julia is joining Into the Light, a place-based creative collaboration that will drive long-lasting growth in County Durham by empowering communities, inspiring children and young people,...

Industry

Spanish partners receive warm welcome to County Durham

10 Oct 2024

Representatives from Spain have been welcomed to County Durham this week. Durham County Council has been working with A Coruña Provincial Council in north west Spain for a number of years now. The region-to-region partnership aims to promote the English Way, or Camino Ingles, pilgrimage route and...

Industry

Purple Tuesday Event

9 Oct 2024

Purple Tuesday is a global, social movement for improving the customer experience for people with access needs. Join us on 12th November for Destination North East England's Purple Tuesday event at Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne. Learn about how the regional Everybody Welcome programme can...

Industry

AccessAble Discounts Extended

9 Oct 2024

Available discounts to get an AccessAble Detailed Access Guide for just £1 plus VAT have now been extended to more small tourism businesses in England. Visitor attractions within a single building and up to two additional assets such as a shop or cafe are now eligible. Bed & Breakfasts, and...