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Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
International Marketing
8 Sep 2022
Continuing to build on our International marketing activity, this week Visit County Durham is attending Destination Britain North America (DBNA) in Washington DC. DBNA offers the unique opportunity to meet hand-picked top buyers from the USA and Canada market. During the event, VCD will be meeting...
Read More about International MarketingSet a date for starry nights and nocturnal adventures
7 Sep 2022
The programme has been launched for this year’s celebration of the dark skies of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and UNESCO Global Geopark. The sixth North Pennines Stargazing Festival will run from 21 to 30 October 2022, during the Autumn half term, and has over 20...
Read More about Set a date for starry nights and nocturnal adventuresFlower Festival to pay tribute to County Durham’s people, places and past
17 Aug 2022
Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens is to host a flower festival celebrating County Durham’s heritage, culture, people and places. Ushaw Flower Fest, will see the 214-year-old Georgian house transform into a floral walking tour that tells rich stories from Durham’s past and present,...
Read More about Flower Festival to pay tribute to County Durham’s people, places and pastSummer’s sorted, with affordable fun for all the family at Ushaw
10 Aug 2022
As we reach the halfway point of the school summer holidays, you’d be forgiven for running somewhat short of ideas to keep the kids entertained. With the cost of living crisis biting, parents up and down the country are on the lookout for ways to make the holidays fun without breaking the bank,...
Read More about Summer’s sorted, with affordable fun for all the family at UshawVisitors enjoy a taste of the seaside at Seaham Food Festival
8 Aug 2022
Food-lovers from across the region flocked to Durham’s coastline for two days of festival fun. The sun was shining across the weekend for Seaham Food Festival, which saw over 100 traders set up shop to sell everything from mouth-watering street food to delicious cakes and sweet treats. The Durham...
Read More about Visitors enjoy a taste of the seaside at Seaham Food FestivalDurham Miners Heritage could soon win worldwide recognition
2 Aug 2022
Redhills, the miners' hall in Durham City, may be among only the 900 global sites of UNESCO world heritage status. And, if a bid by an international consortium is successful, it could mean that Durham City becomes one of the few places to have two World Heritage sites. Durham Cathedral and Castle...
Read More about Durham Miners Heritage could soon win worldwide recognitionApply to the North East Tourism Awards
27 Jul 2022
Applications for the North East England Tourism Awards close on 22nd September 2022. County Durham is blessed with excellent tourism businesses across the range of categories, and the Awards give you an opportunity to shine a light on your successes and generate great PR. If you missed the recent...
Read More about Apply to the North East Tourism AwardsSuccessful US Mission
27 Jul 2022
In partnership with Marketing Manchester and Avanti Destinations, Visit County Durham has completed a successful US mission to Texas. Feedback from the visit was positive, with many US travel agents keen to start booking clients to the county and advising that there is a real interest from the US...
Read More about Successful US MissionVisitor Economy Factsheet 2021
27 Jul 2022
Visit County Durham has commissioned the STEAM report over the last 15 years, an economic impact study which allows us to track the performance of our destination. The latest results from this study relate to 2021 and you can view the full breakdown of performance by downloading the Visitor Economy...
Read More about Visitor Economy Factsheet 2021Durham security office scoops tourism superstar award
21 Jul 2022
Durham has crowned its first Tourism Superstar in three years, following a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Connor Turnbull, a security officer at Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Destination, has been crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2022 thanks to his excellent customer service, volunteering...
Read More about Durham security office scoops tourism superstar awardCO2 offsetting
21 Jul 2022
Our Supplier Partner Stick Marketing is planting trees in collaboration with Tree-Nation as part of its ongoing commitment to a more sustainable future. Working with Tree-Nation, they planted 131 trees in June to help offset their CO2 emissions.
Read More about CO2 offsettingA66 update
21 Jul 2022
Our Strategic Partner National Highways has reached an important project milestone! The application for consent to dual the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine route has been accepted and moves into the next stages of examination. If approved, construction will start in 2024. The A66 is a key local,...
Read More about A66 updateRediscovered cast of St Bede’s skull brought to Durham Cathedral Museum after more than 190 years
20 Jul 2022
More than 190 years after it was made, the rediscovered cast of St Bede’s skull has arrived at Durham Cathedral Museum as part of the new exhibition which marks 1000 years since Bede’s remains were brought to Durham Cathedral. As part of the latest Durham Cathedral Museum exhibition, Meet St...
Read More about Rediscovered cast of St Bede’s skull brought to Durham Cathedral Museum after more than 190 yearsWalking trails on track to boost tourism recovery in Durham and wider region
19 Jul 2022
Six long-distance walking trails inspired by the North East’s historic reputation as a place of pilgrimage are playing a significant role in boosting Durham’s tourism economy. Launched last year, the Northern Saints Trails cover more than 200 miles and are positioning the North East as the...
Read More about Walking trails on track to boost tourism recovery in Durham and wider regionPleased to be back on home turf at last says Raby's new Head Gardener
18 Jul 2022
From the palace of the King and Queen of Jordan to the foothills of a Caribbean mountain-side mansion, Raby Castle’s new head gardener has had a career which spans near three decades and has taken him all over the world. But since joining Raby Estates recently, Tim Marshall says he feels like...
Read More about Pleased to be back on home turf at last says Raby's new Head Gardener