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Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
County Durham’s UK City of Culture 2025 bid remains on track
21 Mar 2022
County Durham is now a step closer to being named UK City of Culture 2025 and securing the colossal social and economic benefits this would bring. Today, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced the county was one of just four locations from across the UK to be shortlisted for...
Read More about County Durham’s UK City of Culture 2025 bid remains on trackSpain's Field Farm opening
16 Mar 2022
Great news that Beamish Museum is holding the opening celebrations for their new 1950s farm this Saturday and Sunday 19th and 20th March from 1pm. Spain's Field Farm is part of the Remaking Beamish project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Sir Tom Cowie Charitable Trust and Friends...
Read More about Spain's Field Farm openingHopes for Durham2025
16 Mar 2022
Tree of Hope, created by digital studio Tekja and produced for Lumiere by Artichoke with support from Visit County Durham, has returned as part of County Durham's bid to be UK City of Culture 2025. People with a connection to the county are invited to open the interactive tree and share...
Read More about Hopes for Durham2025Increase your distribution
16 Mar 2022
Tourism Exchange Great Britain (TXGB) has announced partnerships with Airbnb and Spektrix. This means businesses using TXGB can now opt in to the Airbnb channel, and businesses using the Spektrix ticketing system can enjoy real-time integration with other distribution opportunities including...
Read More about Increase your distributionVintage rail travel exhibition launches in Durham – ‘Cradle of the Railways’
16 Mar 2022
An exhibition of 40 vintage railway posters celebrating some of the most iconic stops on the London & North Eastern Railway line opens this week at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, County Durham. From Edinburgh to London & Beyond is a collection of original vintage railway posters...
Read More about Vintage rail travel exhibition launches in Durham – ‘Cradle of the Railways’Well done Matthew!
9 Mar 2022
Many congratulations to Matthew Henderson, Product Development Manager at our Strategic Partner Beamish, The Living Museum of the North who recently won Rising Star and Overall Winner awards at the Cultural Enterprises Awards 2022 held at Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum in Glasgow. Wonderful...
Read More about Well done Matthew!New piccalilli & chutney catering packs
9 Mar 2022
Our Supplier Partner, Calder's Kitchen, producers of piccalilli and chutneys, has launched new catering packs for food service, sandwich makers, cafe's, deli's, pubs and restaurants. Available in seven delicious, fresh flavours, they are looking for businesses across County Durham to work...
Read More about New piccalilli & chutney catering packsRaby schools competition
9 Mar 2022
To inspire the next generation of budding designers and engineers, Raby Castle has launched a competition encouraging local schools to design their own adventure playground. The prize for the talented winner and their whole class is exclusive access to The Plotters' Forest, before it opens to the...
Read More about Raby schools competitionShowcasing the county
9 Mar 2022
Visit County Durham will be attending and promoting the county at the travel industry's leading media event, International Media Marketplace (IMM), being held at the QEII Centre, London on 14th and 15th March. IMM is a fantastic way to meet travel media representatives and a great opportunity for...
Read More about Showcasing the countyWelcome Hannah!
2 Mar 2022
The Bowes Museum has announced that Hannah Fox will take up the role of Director in May 2022. Hannah brings a wealth of experience to the Museum combining cross-sector knowledge, together with a passion for enabling access to museums for all people. She has been an Advisory Board member for...
Read More about Welcome Hannah!Annual Visitor Attractions Survey
2 Mar 2022
The VisitEngland Annual Attractions Survey is now live. This year's survey is particularly important as it will help VisitEngland understand the impact of the pandemic on the attractions sector in 2021 and inform industry and government about trends in the attractions' industry in England. If...
Read More about Annual Visitor Attractions SurveyGlobal Astrotourism Summit
2 Mar 2022
Stargazing has always been a popular activity, but there has been an unprecedented demand for dark sky tours and events since the pandemic. VCD Partner, Star Safaris, has co-ordinated with colleagues to develop the 'Astro-tourism Summit'. The summit provides 18 hours of talks, interviews and...
Read More about Global Astrotourism SummitRemoval of COVID-19 restrictions
2 Mar 2022
Most COVID-19 guidance in England ended last Thursday 24th February. This means that businesses no longer need to do things such as ask people to show proof of negative testing, ask them to check-in, or keep records of customers, visitors and staff for 21 days to support NHS Test and Trace -...
Read More about Removal of COVID-19 restrictionsCheck your energy efficiency
28 Feb 2022
Energy costs are rising rapidly which is having a huge impact on many businesses. But there are ways in which you could operate more efficiently, lowering your monthly bills and improving your carbon footprint. The Business Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP) is here to help County Durham SMEs make...
Read More about Check your energy efficiencySave the date
28 Feb 2022
Save the date for our Product Knowledge event taking place at Hallgarth The Manor House Durham on Wednesday 30th March 2022. Hear the latest updates for the upcoming season from the county's top attractions and events as well as meet some of our Supplier Partners. Email invitations will be sent...
Read More about Save the date