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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
Format: 30-12-2023
Dalton Park Outlet introduces new accessibility initiatives after being awarded Autism Acceptance Silver Award Industry

Dalton Park Outlet introduces new accessibility initiatives after being awarded Autism Acceptance Silver Award

30 Sep 2024

Dalton Park Outlet is delighted to announce it has introduced a range of initiatives designed to enhance accessibility and inclusivity for all visitors. From September 16th 2024, Dalton Park introduced Sensory Bags for children, in partnership with the North East Autism Society. The bags include...

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Firework spectacular set to light up the north east again in 2024 Industry

Firework spectacular set to light up the north east again in 2024

30 Sep 2024

Tickets are on sale now for the North East’s biggest fireworks spectacular. The ever-popular show, Pyromusical, returns to Bishop Auckland on Saturday 2nd November 2024. Now in its sixth year, the unmissable multi-sensory celebration will see fireworks illuminate the night sky above the...

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Faru launches new £40 menu offering luxury dining at a lower price Industry

Faru launches new £40 menu offering luxury dining at a lower price

26 Sep 2024

Durham’s fine dining restaurant Faru has launched a new £40 menu to become ‘more accessible’ to diners. The Michelin-recommended restaurant, on Silver Street, is owned by Jake and Laura Siddle, who offer a signature 10-course tasting menu, at £98, and a five-course tasting menu, which is...

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Growth Fund business support  Industry

Growth Fund business support 

25 Sep 2024

Tourism and Hospitality businesses looking for help with marketing, distribution and booking systems can access support through the Durham Business Growth Programme which has been extended into the autumn. Apply now to receive a tailored action plan, access to masterclasses and specialist mentoring...

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County Durham marina reaches full occupancy Industry

County Durham marina reaches full occupancy

24 Sep 2024

An award-winning marina is going from strength-to-strength, with all berths and commercial units now fully occupied. All 96 pontoon berths at Seaham Harbour Marina are now occupied by pleasure boats – the first time the facility has been full since the marina was officially opened in July 2013...

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Bishop Auckland’s Christmas town expands to 10 days of magical wonderland Industry

Bishop Auckland’s Christmas town expands to 10 days of magical wonderland

23 Sep 2024

Bishop Auckland, is fast becoming known as the "Christmas Capital of the North East" and is set to dazzle once again as Christmas Town 2024 returns, extending its festive magic to a full 10-day celebration. From Friday, 29 November to Sunday, 8 December, the town’s historic market...

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S&DR200: A festival celebrating the birth of the modern railway announces its programme today Industry

S&DR200: A festival celebrating the birth of the modern railway announces its programme today

19 Sep 2024

The 27 September 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) in the north east of England, which gave birth to the modern railway. To celebrate this landmark anniversary, the nine-month S&DR200 Festival will take place across County Durham...

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Bishop Auckland is Aglow with the ultimate festive experience Industry

Bishop Auckland is Aglow with the ultimate festive experience

19 Sep 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 The...

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Access guides offer  Industry

Access guides offer 

18 Sep 2024

Today's travellers want detailed and factual descriptions of venue accessibility in the form of an Accessibility Guide to empower them to make personal choices. To support this, VisitEngland is providing discounts to tourism businesses to help them provide quality-assured accessibility information...

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Eighth North Pennines Stargazing Festival programme launches Industry

Eighth North Pennines Stargazing Festival programme launches

18 Sep 2024

The programme has been launched for this year’s celebration of the dark skies of the NorthPennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark. The eighth North Pennines Stargazing Festival will run from 25 October to 3 November 2024,with a range of fun and informative events spread across half...

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Take a peek at the Pumpkin Forest at Auckland Palace Industry

Take a peek at the Pumpkin Forest at Auckland Palace

12 Sep 2024

For the first time Auckland Palace, the historic attraction and landmark in the centre of Bishop Auckland, is hosting a special event named ‘Pumpkin Forest’.  The new light trail takes place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 4 – 27 October and daily from 28 – 31 October,...

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Visitor figures soar at Durham Cathedral during Peace Doves by Peter Walker Industry

Visitor figures soar at Durham Cathedral during Peace Doves by Peter Walker

11 Sep 2024

Almost 80,000 people visited Durham Cathedral over the summer and enjoyed the thousands of paper Peace Doves suspended under Durham Cathedral’s historic Nave. Visitors from all around the world admired the art installation designed by Peter Walker, with many describing the collaborative artwork...

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VisitEngland’s 2024 ROSE Award winners announced Industry

VisitEngland’s 2024 ROSE Award winners announced

11 Sep 2024

VisitEngland has today Wednesday 11 September revealed this year’s 100 winners of its ROSE Awards. The ROSE Awards showcase the accommodation providers who give the warmest of welcomes and where the staff provide incredible experiences for their customers irrespective of star rating, style or...

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North East Screen set to showcase the region to locations experts Industry

North East Screen set to showcase the region to locations experts

11 Sep 2024

As the profile of filming in the North East grows, North East Screen are showcasing the region’s world-class locations to industry professionals from across the UK through a series of ‘Scout Abouts’ (familiarisation trips).  The trips showcase the wealth of filming opportunities...

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Region commits to being a force for good through tourism Industry

Region commits to being a force for good through tourism

11 Sep 2024

Today (9 September), Destination North East England and more than 150 political leaders and businesses gathered at Newcastle Cathedral to launch a globally significant, first-of-its-kind Regenerative Visitor Economy Framework. North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and leaders from the region’s local...

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