Durham’s Visitor Economy is one of the fastest growing in the region. Beamish – The Living Museum of the North, on the outskirts of Durham City, has seen 75% growth in visitor numbers since 2008 and is now the most popular paid-for visitor attraction in North East England. Durham Cathedral, which along with Durham Castle forms one of the most stunning city panoramas in Europe, attracts over 600,000 visitors a year, and has seen a recent public investment of £1.8m in a new visitor centre and lighting.

Boasting an illustrious medieval past, Durham City has effortlessly combined this with the present in a superb blend of heritage and contemporary culture. The City also has many green spaces, such as Crook Hall with its themed gardens, Durham University’s Botanic Garden and the Durham City riverbanks.

Durham City boasts many more attractions, including Durham University’s Palace Green Library which displays some of its own riches as well as hosting world-class exhibitions, the Durham Light Infantry Museum – one of the finest regimental museums in the country and Durham University’s Oriental Museum – the only museum in the north of Britain dedicated to the art and archaeology of the Orient. The City is also home to the county’s premier arts venue, the Gala Theatre.

The Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground has put Durham on the world stage, hosting top flight cricket including an Ashes Test Series in 2013. World-class festivals and events including Lumiere - the UK’s largest light festival and Lindisfarne Gospels Durham have further increased awareness and appeal of the county. A packed programme of annual events including Brass: Durham International Festival and the Durham Book Festival also bring the county to life.

A robust, resilient and growing visitor economy worth £728m and supporting 11,300 jobs in 2013, the county is attracting new visitors and increasing its profile nationally and internationally. Increasing numbers are coming from higher spending visitor segments and their expectations and needs are growing year on year on places to visit and places to stay.

Visit County Durham works closely with this sector to support growth. For further information about Durham’s visitor economy, please visit www.visitcountydurham.org