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Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
Get Set for a Summer of Fun at Beamish Museum
1 Jul 2022
Be sure to visit Beamish, The Living Museum of the North and enjoy a whole summer of fun, including traditional transport, Georgian games and creative crafts. There are fantastic fun-filled activities lined up every day during the summer holidays at Beamish for the Summer of Fun event, which runs...
Read More about Get Set for a Summer of Fun at Beamish MuseumVote for your Durham Tourism Superstar
30 Jun 2022
Voting has opened for Durham Tourism Superstar 2022. The competition, held by Visit County Durham and The Northern Echo, seeks to find the person who shows the greatest passion for the county and a real dedication to giving visitors a memorable experience. The winner will go on to represent the...
Read More about Vote for your Durham Tourism SuperstarLocomotion development
30 Jun 2022
Durham County Council has approved plans for a new exhibition building at Locomotion, a key milestone in the museum's Vision 2025 development. The building will be known as 'New Hall' and will house up to fifty vehicles from the national collection meaning that Locomotion will be home to the...
Read More about Locomotion developmentShort-term holiday let review
30 Jun 2022
The government is issuing a call for evidence on the benefits and challenges presented by the rise in short-term and holiday letting which will inform the development of appropriate policy options later in the year. The rise in short-term and holiday letting has prompted a range of concerns...
Read More about Short-term holiday let reviewNew CEO of VisitBritain/VisitEngland
30 Jun 2022
Congratulations to Patricia Yates on being appointed permanent CEO of VisitBritain/VisitEngland. Previously Director of Strategy and Communications at VisitBritain, Patricia was also Chair of the Tourism Industry Emergency Response Group and deputy CEO. We look forward to working with Patricia and...
Read More about New CEO of VisitBritain/VisitEnglandWell done!
23 Jun 2022
Congratulations to VCD Partner Hall Hill Farm on scooping two awards at the 2022 National Farm Attraction Network Awards (NFAN). Ann, Richard and team won 'Farm Attraction of the Year', awarded to the farm attraction that has delivered the best overall customer experience; and 'Attraction with the...
Read More about Well done!Visitor attraction website survey
23 Jun 2022
COVID-19 has transformed how visitor attractions operate online, and with an increased need for online bookings, additional revenue drivers and a seamless on and offline experience, it's vital visitor attractions understand how their website is performing. The Rubber Cheese 2022 Visitor Attraction...
Read More about Visitor attraction website surveyUnderstanding international travellers
23 Jun 2022
Want to learn more about the latest mindset of travellers? Join VisitEngland on Wednesday 29 June 2022 at 11am for a free webinar to help understand the current and future landscape of international tourism covering traveller motivations, influences, decisions and sustainability. The webinar will...
Read More about Understanding international travellersNorth East England Tourism Awards
23 Jun 2022
Tourism businesses across the region are being encouraged to enter the North East England Tourism Awards 2023. In its twentieth year, the awards celebrate quality, innovation and best practice throughout the region, showcasing the fantastic range of high quality experiences on offer for visitors...
Read More about North East England Tourism AwardsNew British lifestyle brand arrives at Dalton Park
16 Jun 2022
Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination is delighted to celebrate the arrival of a new lifestyle brand, Crew Clothing. The North East’s largest outlet shopping and leisure destination has welcomed the classic lifestyle brand to its collection of more than 65 stores. Crew Clothing takes its...
Read More about New British lifestyle brand arrives at Dalton ParkHall Hill Farm named the best farm attraction in the country
16 Jun 2022
Hall Hill Farm has been named the UKs best Farm Attraction at the 2022 National Farm Attraction Network Awards (NFAN). The popular farm attraction near Lanchester, in County Durham, scooped two awards at the national event after being named Farm Attraction of the Year 2022 and Farm Attraction with...
Read More about Hall Hill Farm named the best farm attraction in the countryWelcome!
15 Jun 2022
We are pleased to welcome to the Visit County Durham team, Lizzie Anderson. Lizzie is our new Communications Executive and brings a wealth of experience...welcome Lizzie!
Read More about Welcome!NE Culture Awards
15 Jun 2022
Nominations are now open for the North East Culture Awards, sponsored by Durham County Council. The awards ceremony brings together the North East's arts, heritage and cultural sectors with live performances and artistic showcases from some of the region's top talents in music, art, dance and...
Read More about NE Culture AwardsSave the date
15 Jun 2022
We are pleased to announce the return of the annual Visit County Durham Garden Party. The event will be held at the Black Horse, Beamish on Wednesday 20th July between 4pm and 7pm and is a great opportunity to meet and network with colleagues old and new. The event also sees the announcement of the...
Read More about Save the dateAwards success
15 Jun 2022
It was a successful night for the County at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2022 held at the Library of Birmingham on Wednesday 8th June. Congratulations to both our Strategic Partners Seaham Hall Hotel awarded Gold in the Small Hotel of the Year category, and Hotel Indigo Durham awarded...
Read More about Awards success