Help is on hand to discover Durham’s hidden gems

Tuesday, 4th March 2008

Categories: ATP-CD News

With Spring in the air and Easter just around the corner, the County Durham Tourism Partnership (CDTP) is helping local people explore Durham's hidden gems through revealing a wealth of intriguing facts and inspirational ideas.

North Easterners can uncover the vast array of secret finds right on their doorsteps through new pages featuring a feast of gems on the website www.visitcountydurham.com .

'Surfers' can search out fascinating artefacts including the Pectoral Cross of St Cuthbert, a copy of the Lindisfarne Gospels and a gold-encrusted rodent or take part in absorbing activities like living the life of a Roman soldier at Binchester fort and finding out why having a bath in Roman times was about more than just getting clean! Visitors to the site can also see where to spot scarce creatures on Durham's Heritage Coast and find inspiration to roll up their sleeves and get out in the garden with exotic finds at Durham's Botanic Garden and Raby Castle to classically English Crook Hall and Gardens right in the heart of the city.

Laura Cowie of CDTP said "With the weather getting warmer and days getting longer, why not use the website to plan your own self-guided treasure hunt, seeking out Durham's hidden gems? We've included exciting ideas to suit all ages and interests, with numerous intriguing surprises for new and not so new Durham explorers."

The website includes ideas for fun family-friendly activities designed to keep the kids amused, an insight into Durham's history and heritage and for exploring the local environment with its wealth of national and internationally important plants and animals. There's also a competition to test your knowledge on Durham's hidden gems.

"From history and heritage to glorious gardens, there's plenty to see and do whether you love the city, the coast or the countryside. And after all that sightseeing, we have plenty of places to take a welcome break and re-fuel with tasty treats from tea shops and restaurants tucked away in Durham city's cobbled streets to country pubs and hotels offering the best in home cooking.

Throughout the Spring and Summer, CDTP will be helping North Easterners enjoy all there is to offer in Durham through highlighting upcoming events and activities.

END

Photo caption 1: The Pectoral Cross of St Cuthbert, Durham Cathedral
Photo caption 2: A copy of the Lindisfarne Gospels held at the Parish Church of St Mary and St Cuthbert, Chester-le-Street

For further information, please contact Jane Boaden, Admiral PR & Marketing on 0191 222 0722 or email jane.boaden@admiralpr.com

Notes for Editors

A taste of Durham's hidden gems is given below. This is a tiny selection of what's on offer. Please phone Jane Boaden on 0191 222 0722 to discuss tailoring information to suit your interests:

Family-friendly
- Killhope - a living museum exploring the lead mining boom of the 19th century
- The mighty High Force waterfall, England's largest single drop of water
- Thorpe Farm, Teesdale - search out local culinary delights or rummage in the reclamation barn for hidden treasures, plus country park and birds of prey at the falconry centre.
- Otter Trust's North Pennines Reserve - learn about British otters, their habitat and habits at Bowes near Barnard Castle.
- Binchester - Durham's largest Roman fort provides a unique insight into the world of the Roman soldier.
- Take the train along the Tanfield line, crossing the Causey Arch, the world's oldest operational rail line crossing the world's oldest railway arch bridge.
- Durham's Heritage Coast - take a trip through history through the eyes of a variety of artists with the Seaham Time Line or spot rare Magnesian Limestone, nationally scarce plants and invertebrates

History and heritage
- Raby Castle, one of England's most impressive medieval castles
- Auckland Castle, the magnificent country residence of the Bishop of Durham for over 800 years.
- Escomb Saxon church - a place of worship for over 1400 years with many hidden gems just waiting to be explored.
- Experience life in a lead miner's cottage during Victorian times at Weardale Museum.
- Admire the treasures of The Bowes Museum in the heart of Teesdale at Barnard Castle, where a hidden gem is expertly explained at 2.30pm every Thursday.

City charm
- The Oriental Museum at the University is the only one of its kind in the UK, devoted to art and archaeology from the orient.
- Victorian indoor market and feast on fine food at one of the many restaurants and eateries.
- A meander through the quirky 'Vennels' of the city, will be rewarded with intriguing oldy worldy architecture and cobbled streets
- Take in one of the year round productions staged at the Assembly Rooms Theatre tucked away behind the cathedral.

Glorious gardens
- For the rare and exotic, tour the globe at Durham's Botanics
- Wonder at sub tropical fruits growing in Raby Castle's 18th century gardens.
- Eggleston Hall, the finishing school which recently starred in the TV series Ladette to Lady - the gardens at the Hall offer a veritable Pandora's box of surprises
- Medieval Crook Hall and gardens, offering fine views over the City - described by many as a classically English garden.

About CDTP
County Durham Tourism Partnership is an independent company limited by guarantee. In April 2006 responsibility for leading tourism in the county was placed with the County Durham Tourism Partnership (CDTP), a Destination Management Organisation. The central responsibility of the CDTP is to provide strategic leadership and coordination in the county and work closely with tourism networks, local authorities, local associations and tourism businesses to ensure tourism plays a major role in the county's visitor economy. The CDTP is charged with six key areas of activity: Visitor experience, product development, marketing, information services, business support and work-force development.

The partnership has been in development since One NorthEast took responsibility for tourism in North East England. It is a private, not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, with a board of eight directors and executive director, five from the private sector and three from the public sector.