Press Release

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 Christian Crossroads of the British Isles.  Based on ancient pilgrimage routes, the trails criss-cross the North East, taking in spectacular scenery, historic sites and more than 500 attractions, eateries and places to stay.

The trails are expected to attract 85,000 people to the region between 2022 and 2025, generating a £4.7 million annual visitor spend and supporting 64 new jobs. It is just one of the ways Visit County Durham, Durham County Council’s tourism service, and other partners are supporting tourism businesses and developing the county and wider region as a visitor destination.

This summer, 26 interpretation panels are being introduced at key points along the Durham sections of the trails to provide further insight into the heritage, landscape and stories that shaped the area. The boards also highlight nearby attractions such as Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens.

The installation of the panels comes as the latest figures for the county show clear signs of recovery within the tourism sector, amidst the ongoing challenges of the pandemic and ‘cost of living’ crisis. Despite 2021 beginning with a four-month lockdown, Durham went on to welcome 15.7 million visitors last year, an increase of 38.5 per cent on 2020. Visitor spend also increased by 63 per cent to £826.68 million, while the number of people employed within the sector rose by 48 per cent to just over 10,000.

The figures, taken from independent industry research, not only reflect the increased popularity of staycations but the high standards and innovative approach of tourism businesses in the county. The shortlisting of Durham’s countywide bid to be UK City of Culture 2025 has also had a positive impact. Despite missing out on the title, the bid has significantly raised the profile of the county’s cultural offer on a national level.

And with multi-million-pound developments underway at attractions including Raby Castle, The Auckland Project, Locomotion and Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, the county’s visitor economy is on track to reach pre-pandemic levels by 2023.

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships and a director of the Visit County Durham Limited board, said: “The last 2.5 years have been incredibly challenging for the tourism industry and while it’s heartening to see visitor numbers and spend increasing, it’s important we continue to support businesses and encourage more people to visit and stay for longer.

“This is a key aim behind the Northern Saints Trails, as the routes inspire people to explore more of the region and drive footfall towards attractions and hospitality businesses.

“Just like Durham’s shortlisted bid to be UK City of Culture 2025, the Northern Saints Trails showcase the landscapes and cultural offer of the entire county and wider region. It’s wonderful to see the project progressing.”

Sanjay Gidda, digital marketing assistant at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, said: "The Northern Saints Trails are a great asset to the region. We are so pleased to be on the route as it encourages people to stop off here at Ushaw and experience all we have to offer, from our interesting history to the wide variety of exciting events and exhibitions we have coming up."

As well as introducing the interpretation panels, further work to enhance the routes is also planned. This includes installing ten new gates, replacing and repairing stiles and improving waymarking. Five people counters were also installed last year to provide useful data about the numbers of people using each route in County Durham.

The Northern Saints Project is a Visit County Durham initiative supported by Durham Cathedral and Durham Diocese.

The interpretation panels were part funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and researched and written by Jan Williams, an award-winning North East England Blue Badge guide.

ENDS

All enquiries:

Lizzie Anderson T: 07867907033

E: lizzie.anderson@visitcountydurham.org   

Social Media: Twitter: @VCDBusiness | Facebook: VCD Business | LinkedIn: Visit County Durham

Notes to editors:

The tourism figures were taken from the Scarborough Tourism Economy Activity Monitor (STEAM), an annual assessment of the economic impact of tourism.

Photograph caption: Sanjay Gidda, digital marketing assistant at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, and Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships and a director of the Visit County Durham Limited board, at one of the new Northern Saints Trails interpretation panels near Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens.

About the Northern Saints Trails project:
The project is coordinated and funded by Visit County Durham through Durham County Council, in partnership and with match funding from Durham Cathedral, Diocese, Destination Management Organisations, Local Authorities, attractions, landscape partnerships, visitor accommodation providers and places to stay, eat and drink.

The project will drive economic benefits to both rural and urban communities throughout the region, more information on Northern Saints Trails can be found on the project website.

Details of the Trails:

The six Northern Saints Trails cover 205 miles across 8 Local Authority areas.

1. The Way of Light - Heavenfield/Hexham-Durham
2. Transporting walkers from the dawn of Christianity through to contemporary pilgrimage via Dark Ages battles that changed a region’s faith, and abbeys that matched Rome for majesty.
3. The Way of Love - Hartlepool-Durham
4. Following the influence of three important female figures in the establishment of Christianity in England, whilst mixing maritime and mining heritage, and nationally important nature reserves.
   The Angel’s Way - Seaton Sluice-Newcastle-Gateshead-Chester-le-Street
5. Traverse Tyneside, from a sandy seaside village to the site that once housed St Cuthbert’s remains, through a legacy of medieval magic and Industrial Age endeavour.
6. The Way of Life - Gainford-Durham City
7. Healing waters, one of England’s oldest churches and a palatial castle where Prince Bishops once resided, plus places where St Cuthbert made miracles occur.
8. The Way of Learning - Jarrow-Sunderland-Durham
9. Takes walkers on the trail of England’s original scholar, the Venerable Bede, through a rich legacy of the North East’s foremost industry, inventiveness, and innovation.
10. The Way of the Sea - Warkworth-North Shields

A trail so epic it combines three others in its course – covering stunning coastline and crags, imposing castles and standout churches from Lindisfarne to Durham Cathedral.

Camino Inglés – The English Way
Visit County Durham is also working in partnership with counterparts in northwest Spain on an international route, and a formal partnership agreement has been signed with local government representatives in Spain. The walk from Finchale Abbey to Durham Cathedral, and beyond to Escomb Church, south of Bishop Auckland, is now officially recognised as part of the Camino Inglés – the English Way. The walk forges connections between Durham and the Camino routes in continental Europe leading to Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain.

About Visit County Durham:

• Visit County Durham is the destination management organisation (DMO) for County Durham working on behalf of businesses and public agencies, we came into being on 1 April 2006.
• Our purpose is to provide strategic added value, coordination and leadership for tourism activity and the visitor economy in the county, working in partnership with public agencies, private sector, and tourism businesses. We deliver Durham County Council’s destination management, destination marketing and place marketing functions. We are supported by a private, not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, with a board of directors.
• Visit County Durham assists the county to fulfil its potential as one of North East England’s lead destinations, attracting visitors to the region from across the UK and from target overseas markets. Our objective is to ensure that the tourism sector performs to its maximum potential and brings economic benefits to the county in the form of wealth and job creation. Our broad aims are to attract people to the county by raising its profile and appeal, and to provide visitors with the best possible experience.