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What's New
A number of exciting new openings will be taking place across the county in 2025, further enhancing Durham’s offer and making the county the ideal destination for groups.
The Rising at Raby Castle
An ambitious development at Raby Castle, with expanded visitor offer, including reimagined walled garden, and new Vinery Café Restaurant. Now open.
Remaking Beamish
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, is celebrating the largest single investment ever seen with a £10.9m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Remaking Beamish project.
Locomotion
The recently opened New Hall at Locomotion is home to the largest collection of historic railway vehicles under cover on one site anywhere in the Europe.
The Story
The grade II listed Mount Oswald has undergone restoration and has become a state-of-the-art history centre. Bringing Durham’s fascinating heritage to life through historic collections and exhibitions. Now open.
Stockton and Darlington Railway 200th Anniversary
The Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) opened on in 1825. To mark the 200th anniversary of the opening there’ll be a year-long programme of celebration for all to enjoy.
Aykley Heads Cultural Venue
As the UK's National Centre for Light Art, this new venue will draw on Durham's many associations with light, from the Venerable Bede's Lunar Calendar to Durham University's work on the James Webb Space Telescope and the biennial Lumiere festival.
Re-opening date to be announced.Northern Saints Trails
Six walking trails that bring to life the stories of the region’s saints, set against a backdrop of the best of the North East’s landscapes, heritage and food and drink.
Auckland Palace Gardens
The regeneration of Auckland Palace continues at The Auckland Project as three new gardens have recently opened. Connect with nature in the Wilderness Garden, pause and reflect in the Faith Garden, and meet Auckland Palace’s gardeners in the historic Walled Garden, which will feature a striking new glasshouse.
Return of the Vikings
Guests can travel back in time at the Viking Village - the new pre-show experience at Kynren. Venture into the Viking Village, and watch as the warriors prepare for battle. Complete with a cookhouse, a woodworker’s cottage and even a working Blacksmith’s forge, experience history come to life before your eyes.
Durham and Beyond
Visit County Durham is a partner in three national projects for the development of world-class bookable products, responding to consumer needs and market opportunities. The Discover England Fund will drive growth in international tourism whilst also benefiting the domestic market.
England Originals
Durham City is one of 15 of England’s most historic cities featured in an innovative augmented reality (AR) app, and themed itineraries, as part of the ‘England Originals’ project. The app takes visitors on a journey through history, meeting some of the most fascinating characters from the past through trigger points at historic attractions.
England’s Coast
Inspiring visitors to discover one of the world's most amazing coastlines, Durham is one of the 8 unique coastal regions featured.
A unique itinerary builder with information on places to stay, eat and things to do enables the planning and booking of a bespoke visit.Explorer’s Road
Self-drive itineraries along the East Coast of England, from London to Northumberland via the A1 corridor which uncover fascinating stories from England’s past.
Featuring Durham City and the Durham Cathedral and Castle UNESCO World Heritage Site, the routes also explore the county’s historic towns of Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle, showcasing world-class attractions including The Bowes Museum, The Auckland Project, Beamish Museum and Raby Castle.
