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Latest News
All the latest news from the Industry and the Visit County Durham Grapevine newsletter.
North East England leads the way with Interactive 3D virtual tours &inclusivity training
29 Jul 2024
Visitors heading to some of the region’s top tourist spots can now feel safe, welcomed and included before they even arrive thanks to groundbreaking, interactive 3D photography and pioneering inclusivity training designed to break down barriers to access for everyone. Destination North East...
Read More about North East England leads the way with Interactive 3D virtual tours &inclusivity trainingVisit County Durham welcome familiarisation trip
29 Jul 2024
Earlier this month Visit County Durham partnered with Group Leisure and Travel Magazine on a familiarisation visit to the county. The group was made up of 12 group travel organisers and tour operators who spent two nights in Durham experiencing some of the best it has to offer. They enjoyed a...
Read More about Visit County Durham welcome familiarisation tripPeace Doves artwork arrives in Durham Cathedral
26 Jul 2024
Visitors to Durham Cathedral this summer can experience a brand new immersive artwork as a canopy of paper doves is suspended in the cathedral's Nave. Peace Doves, a mass-participation artwork by Peter Walker, has taken centre stage in the Nave of the cathedral today (Friday 26 July). The...
Read More about Peace Doves artwork arrives in Durham CathedralAttractions survey results
24 Jul 2024
VisitEngland has published its 2023 Annual Survey of Visits to Visitor Attractions showing that while visits to attractions across England continued to recover last year, they were still significantly down on pre-pandemic levels. Overall visits to attractions in England were up 11% in 2023 compared...
Read More about Attractions survey resultsHow's business
24 Jul 2024
Please spare 10 minutes of your time to complete our latest How's Business survey. The results are important for us to see what is hapenning across the visitor economy and to analyse where there are themes and issues. the results of the survey help inform our future activity and to see how we can...
Read More about How's businessDetailed access guides
24 Jul 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...
Read More about Detailed access guidesA message from Visit County Durham's managing director, Michelle Gorman.
24 Jul 2024
I am delighted to say that despite quite a few recent rainy days the sun has finally made an appearance and it is beginning to feel like summer. The warmer months are incredibly important to the tourism industry, with amazing places to stay and so much to see and do in Durham let's hope there...
Read More about A message from Visit County Durham's managing director, Michelle Gorman.North East tourism campaign is a hit stateside
23 Jul 2024
The North East’s incredible icons, exciting adventures and distinctive food and drink have been showcased in the US as part of a campaign in partnership with national tourism agency VisitBritain, aimed at growing inbound visits to the region.
Read More about North East tourism campaign is a hit statesideKynren claims TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards 2024
23 Jul 2024
Kynren – An Epic Tale of England has been recognised in Tripadvisor’s® Travelers’ Choice® Awards for 2024. The 1,000-strong volunteer cast and crew received news of the accolade following a successful preview night ahead of the summer season of shows, which starts on Saturday...
Read More about Kynren claims TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards 2024Durham showcased at Great Yorkshire Show
19 Jul 2024
Durham moved south, very briefly, last week as members of the Visit County Durham team headed to the Great Yorkshire Show, also flying the flag for Durham were partners including Kynren, The Auckland Project, Raby Estates, The Weardale Railway and Radisson Blu. The annual four-day event is a...
Read More about Durham showcased at Great Yorkshire ShowBeamish brings museum experience to Durham city centre in pop-up emporium
19 Jul 2024
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North is bringing a flavour of the award-winning museum to Durham city centre with the opening of a pop-up emporium. The Beamish Emporium, which has opened in the Prince Bishops Place shopping centre, is a pioneering project for the museum. Customers can discover...
Read More about Beamish brings museum experience to Durham city centre in pop-up emporiumThe Bowes Museum’s Kith and Kinship: Norman Cornish and LS Lowry exhibition
18 Jul 2024
Newly discovered Cornish self-portrait will also now feature in this major exhibition by two extraordinary storytellers of everyday life, who showcase the north through different lenses Over 50 paintings, drawings and sketches by artists Norman Cornish and LS Lowry will be showcased at The Bowes...
Read More about The Bowes Museum’s Kith and Kinship: Norman Cornish and LS Lowry exhibitionGreen Tourism opportunity
17 Jul 2024
Boost your business and contribute to the sustainable regeneration of North East England with fully funded Green Tourism membership for the first year and 50% and 25% discounts in the second and third years respectively. The accreditation helps you evidence your sustainability credentials to...
Read More about Green Tourism opportunityKynren volunteer crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2024
17 Jul 2024
A key member of one of Durham’s star attractions has been crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2024. Wendy Wilshere, Head of Casting and Engagement at 11 Arches- the organisation behind Kynren, secured the most public votes in the annual competition, which is organised by Visit County Durham,...
Read More about Kynren volunteer crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2024Kynren kicks off summer season with a successful preview night
16 Jul 2024
In eager anticipation of the start of its summer season, Kynren – An Epic Tale of England hosted its preview night, inviting friends and family of the 1,000 strong cast and crew to witness the magic in Bishop Auckland. Performing to a crowd in the 8,000-seater tribune, Kynren’s ensemble brought...
Read More about Kynren kicks off summer season with a successful preview night