Visit County Durham has launched ‘Next Stop Durham’ marketing campaign. It aims to engage with consumers who may have passed through the county but not stopped and explored. Campaign activity will run until spring 2025, and includes advertising on the London Underground and train stations on the East Coast network.
The DMO has teamed up with partners across the visitor economy for the campaign to help showcase the variety that exists in the county. This includes Locomotion, Raby Estates, The Auckland Project, and Beamish, The Living Museum of the North. The campaign highlights why Durham should be everyone’s next stop for a UK getaway, and features quality places to stay, the scenery, award-winning attractions, events, and food and drink.
It comes as the county prepares to co-host a nine-month international festival across County Durham and Tees Valley in 2025 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the first journey on the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR).
The Locomotion Railway Museum in Shildon offers an opportunity to explore the history and engineering of the railway. Located in the world’s first railway town, often referred to as ‘the cradle of the railway,’ it provides insight into the development of rail transport. As part of the S&DR200 festival, the museum will host an exhibition focusing on significant railway innovations, including locomotives and rail vehicles that span 200 years of railway history.
Cllr. Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnership said, “Encouraging visitors to enjoy the wonderful places on offer in the UK is very important and Durham truly is a wonderful place to visit. Staycations are crucial to supporting tourism businesses and delivering sustainable economic growth. Next Stop Durham will support our efforts to increase overnight stays by providing a wealth of staycation inspiration to suit all ages, tastes and budgets. It comes at a perfect time as the county prepares to celebrate a significant milestone in our rich railway history.”
Click here to find out more about ‘Next Stop Durham’ campaign.
