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People enjoying a light installation at Lumiere 2021
Children playing on illuminated path
Green sign illumination
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Child and adult looking at neon sign
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Durham Cathedral from the river

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Durham.
No Ordinary County.

Durham is one of eight areas longlisted to be UK City of Culture 2025

Find out more about Our Vision.

Durham 2025 UK City of Culture Bid logo

Transcript - City of Culture PDF [82 KB]

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Its fantastic to see young people preserving the history and heritage of our county as work gets underway to restore Durhams Pitman’s Parliament Redhills: Durham Miners Hall. #durham2025

It's fantastic to see young people preserving the history and heritage of our county as work gets underway to restore Durham's Pitman’s Parliament Redhills: Durham Miners Hall.#durham2025Local young people have got hands on with their heritage as they begin the restoration and renewal of Redhills.The removal of the famous seats in The Pitman’s Parliament at Redhills is the first stage in the multimillion-pound project, clearing the way for vital underground structural work. The seats will be restored and returned to the historic home of the Durham miners. Working on the project are more than a dozen young people from Sacriston-based social enterprise Woodshed Workshop. Woodshed founder and director Nathan Hopkins said: “It is important for the young people working here to know what this place is about – it is their heritage. “And they are not just visiting Redhills, they are taking part in what is happening here. It is a great experience and opportunity for them - and they’ve been telling their mates all about it. “In the future, they will look at Redhills and be able to say ‘I was there, and I did that’. They will be part of it, and that is something you just can’t measure.”Guided by experienced woodworkers such as Nathan, the young people have been tasked with the painstaking job of carefully removing and dismantling the Austrian oak seats that have been part of the Grade II-listed council chamber since Redhills opened in 1915.Following the removal of the seats, the young people will be provided further opportunities to return for ‘experience days’ at Redhills, working alongside other trades on the restoration of the Miners Hall to further develop their skills.Read more here: redhillsdurham.org/local-young-people-begin-renovation-of-redhills/ ... See MoreSee Less

4 hours ago
In case you missed it – Amy Harhoff (Durham County Council’s Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy & Growth) explains how securing the prestigious title of UK City of Culture 2025 for County Durham has the potential to deliver positive change for generations to come. 👇 #Durham2025 http://ow.ly/VbjB50HyXB6

In case you missed it – Amy Harhoff (Durham County Council’s Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy & Growth) explains how securing the prestigious title of UK City of Culture 2025 for County Durham has the potential to deliver positive change for generations to come. 👇 #Durham2025 ... See MoreSee Less

4 hours ago
Companies across the region are receiving a taste of Durham today, with a hamper of local foods hand delivered by Beamish Museum , ahead of a virtual business lunch where they will find out more about the benefits and opportunities securing the UK City of Culture 2025 title for the county would bring to North East business. #durham2025

Companies across the region are receiving a taste of Durham today, with a hamper of local foods hand delivered by Beamish Museum , ahead of a virtual business lunch where they will find out more about the benefits and opportunities securing the UK City of Culture 2025 title for the county would bring to North East business.#durham2025 ... See MoreSee Less

5 hours ago
How good does this bespoke childrens adventure area look? This fantastic new playground is part of Raby Castles exciting The Rising development, which will also include a new visitor hub, retail space and restaurant, as well as events space. Theres certainly lots to look forward to in #CountyDurham. #durham2025

How good does this bespoke children's adventure area look? This fantastic new playground is part of Raby Castle's exciting The Rising development, which will also include a new visitor hub, retail space and restaurant, as well as events space. There's certainly lots to look forward to in #CountyDurham.#durham2025Work is underway on Raby Castle's bespoke NEW playground nestled in our magical Christmas tree plantation - opening Easter 2022!From stargazing decks, to towers and tunnels, our fort in the forest designed by the world class designers at Creating Adventurous Places - CAP.Co will offer an imaginative playground for all ages to enjoy 🏰🌳We're so excited to see our vision coming to life ✨➡️ Read more ;📣 To be the first to hear about our latest playground sign up to our newsletter ... See MoreSee Less

6 hours ago
Winter is the perfect time of year to explore Durhams dazzling dark skies 🌌🔭🌠 And Grassholme Observatory is a great place to do it from! Join Jamiechance Travels as he joins the team at the observatory for an amazing evening of stargazing action 👉 https://bit.ly/TiDJDDGO #Durham2025

Winter is the perfect time of year to explore Durham's dazzling dark skies 🌌🔭🌠 And Grassholme Observatory is a great place to do it from! Join Jamiechance Travels as he joins the team at the observatory for an amazing evening of stargazing action 👉 #Durham2025 ... See MoreSee Less

8 hours ago
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Durham_2025 Retweeted
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RailAdvent

3h

Regular steam trains with Tornado or Flying Scotsman between Stockton and Shildon part of anniversary plans https://t.co/9IvHUDUIMY

Regular steam trains with Tornado or Flying Scotsman between Stockton and Shildon part of anniversary plans https://t.co/9IvHUDUIMY

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Durham 2025

5h

It's fantastic to see young people preserving the history and heritage of our county at @RedhillsDurham

@RedhillsDurham
@RedhillsDurham1d

Local young people are getting hands on with their heritage as we begin the restoration of Redhills.

We are working with Sacriston’s @CicWoodshed to remove & restore the famous Pitman’s Parliament seats - a vital first stage in the project.

More: http://redhillsdurham.org/local-young-people-begin-renovation-of-redhills/ (1/5)

Local young people are getting hands on with their heritage as we begin the restoration of Redhills. We are working with Sacriston’s @CicWoodshed to remove & restore the famous Pitman’s Parliament seats - a vital first stage in the project. More: http://redhillsdurham.org/local-young-people-begin-renovation-of-redhills/ (1/5) Lightbox link for post with description Local young people are getting hands on with ...
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Durham 2025

6h

How good does this new children's adventure area look?

This fantastic playground is part of @RabyCastle's The Rising development, which will also include a new visitor hub, retail space and restaurant, as well as events space.

#durham2025

@RabyCastle
@RabyCastle1d

Work is underway on Raby Castle's bespoke NEW playground, opening Easter 2022!

From stargazing decks, to towers and tunnels, our fort in the forest designed by the world class designers http://CAP.Co 🏰🌳

➡️Read more http://www.raby.co.uk/blog/2022/01/19/raby-branching-out-with-adventure-playground/

Work is underway on Raby Castle's bespoke NEW playground, opening Easter 2022! From stargazing decks, to towers and tunnels, our fort in the forest designed by the world class designers http://CAP.Co 🏰🌳 ➡️Read more http://www.raby.co.uk/blog/2022/01/19/raby-branching-out-with-adventure-playground/ Lightbox link for post with description Work is underway on Raby Castle's bespoke NEW...
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Durham 2025

7h

Winter is the perfect time of year to explore Durham's dazzling dark skies 🌌🔭🌠 And @GrassholmeObser is a great place to do it from! Join @IAmJCTravels as he joins the team at the observatory for an amazing evening of stargazing action 👉 https://bit.ly/TiDJDDGO #Durham2025

Winter is the perfect time of year to explore Durham's dazzling dark skies 🌌🔭🌠 And @GrassholmeObser is a great place to do it from!

Join @IAmJCTravels as he joins the team at the observatory for an amazing evening of stargazing action 👉 https://bit.ly/TiDJDDGO ...#Durham2025

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Durham_2025 Retweeted
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Durham Music

8h

EAST DURHAM STRINGS! Come and have fun playing with other string musicians beginning their journey. We will be playing with and without written music and learning to make up our own tunes Come join us! @nelearningtrust @Durham_2025 @DurhamCouncil
https://t.co/s0JpRCHMmu

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Nov 26

Open
What do you think Durham’s best kept secret is? 😍 No one knows our county better than the people who live here. That’s why @thisisdurham asked residents to share with them what they love about our amazing county. If you’re planning on getting out and about this weekend, take a look at some of the suggestions Loved by Locals, to uncover some of Durham’s hidden gems. https://www.thisisdurham.com/lovedbylocals #LovebyLocals #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #countydurham #visitcountydurham

What do you think Durham’s best kept secret is? 😍

No one knows our county better than the people who live here. That’s why @thisisdurham asked residents to share with them what they love about our amazing county.

If you’re planning on getting out and about this weekend, take a look at some of the suggestions Loved by Locals, to uncover some of Durham’s hidden gems.
https://www.thisisdurham.com/lovedbylocals

#LovebyLocals #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #countydurham #visitcountydurham ...

durham2025_

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Nov 26

Open
📢 Calling County Durham creatives! Applications for the @culturebridgenortheast (CBNE) fund are now open. The CBNE fund provides grants of up to £1,500 to support collaborations between education and youth settings, arts practitioners and cultural organisations anywhere in the North East. Priority is given to projects which improve access to high quality arts provision for those who would otherwise face barriers to taking part. This inclusive approach is key to our UK #CityofCulture2025 bid, creating more opportunities for people to experience the many benefits of engaging in arts and culture. #Durham2025 📷 Culture Bridge North East Full details: https://culturebridgenortheast.org.uk/cbne-fund #culture #art #education #inclusivearts #accessiblearts

📢 Calling County Durham creatives!

Applications for the @culturebridgenortheast (CBNE) fund are now open.

The CBNE fund provides grants of up to £1,500 to support collaborations between education and youth settings, arts practitioners and cultural organisations anywhere in the North East. Priority is given to projects which improve access to high quality arts provision for those who would otherwise face barriers to taking part.

This inclusive approach is key to our UK #CityofCulture2025 bid, creating more opportunities for people to experience the many benefits of engaging in arts and culture. #Durham2025

📷 Culture Bridge North East

Full details: https://culturebridgenortheast.org.uk/cbne-fund

#culture #art #education #inclusivearts #accessiblearts ...

durham2025_

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Nov 25

Open
Is your house already fully decked-out are you waiting for December to put your tree up? 🎄 When’s the right date to put up your Christmas lights? In Durham City, we think Sunday 28 November is the perfect day! 🎉 Join @durhambid in Durham Market Place from 5.30pm for the big Christmas Lights Switch On. There’ll be swinging live music from Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists The Soldiers of Swing, so be sure to bring your dancing shoes! And Cbeebies favourites Andy Day and Alex Winters will be there too, with festive fun for all the family. #christmas #christmastlightswitchon #durhamchristmaslights #countydurham #durhamcity #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025

Is your house already fully decked-out are you waiting for December to put your tree up? 🎄

When’s the right date to put up your Christmas lights? In Durham City, we think Sunday 28 November is the perfect day! 🎉

Join @durhambid in Durham Market Place from 5.30pm for the big Christmas Lights Switch On.

There’ll be swinging live music from Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists The Soldiers of Swing, so be sure to bring your dancing shoes!

And Cbeebies favourites Andy Day and Alex Winters will be there too, with festive fun for all the family.

#christmas #christmastlightswitchon #durhamchristmaslights #countydurham #durhamcity #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 ...

durham2025_

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Nov 23

Open
Were you one of thousands who enjoyed the magic of #LumiereDurham this weekend? ✨ Produced by creative company @artichoketrust and commissioned by @durham_county_council with additional support from @aceagrams and @durhamuniversity, this was the most ambitious Lumiere yet. For the first time since it began in 2009, the festival linked the city and wider county through six bold commissions that transformed significant landmarks across County Durham - from the Apollo Pavilion at Peterlee, to @rabycastleofficial at Staindrop. This reflects our bid to be UK City of Culture 2025, which we want to secure for the entire county! #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 Find out more on our news page: https://durham2025.co.uk/news_post/tens-of-thousands-attend-lumiere-2021/ #fesitval #lightfestival #culture #countydurham #art #artwork #creative

Were you one of thousands who enjoyed the magic of #LumiereDurham this weekend? ✨
Produced by creative company @artichoketrust and commissioned by @durham_county_council with additional support from @aceagrams and @durhamuniversity, this was the most ambitious Lumiere yet.

For the first time since it began in 2009, the festival linked the city and wider county through six bold commissions that transformed significant landmarks across County Durham - from the Apollo Pavilion at Peterlee, to @rabycastleofficial at Staindrop.

This reflects our bid to be UK City of Culture 2025, which we want to secure for the entire county! #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025

Find out more on our news page: https://durham2025.co.uk/news_post/tens-of-thousands-attend-lumiere-2021/

#fesitval #lightfestival #culture #countydurham #art #artwork #creative ...

durham2025_

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Nov 20

Open
Visiting #Lumiere Durham this weekend? Check out Invisible Hearts by County Durham's very own Steph Whalen. This is a stunning artwork with an important message. Each of the glowing green hearts symbolises the one person in every six with a hidden disability. Invisible Hearts is one of 37 inspirational light installations at #LumiereDurham and one of six BRILLIANT winners - a competition that gives people an opportunity to see their creative visions realised at the festival. Lumiere runs until Sunday 21 November - don't miss out on the magic! #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #lightfestival @artichoketrust Photo by @matthewbandrews

Visiting #Lumiere Durham this weekend? Check out Invisible Hearts by County Durham's very own Steph Whalen. This is a stunning artwork with an important message. Each of the glowing green hearts symbolises the one person in every six with a hidden disability.

Invisible Hearts is one of 37 inspirational light installations at #LumiereDurham and one of six BRILLIANT winners - a competition that gives people an opportunity to see their creative visions realised at the festival.

Lumiere runs until Sunday 21 November - don't miss out on the magic! #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #lightfestival @artichoketrust
Photo by @matthewbandrews ...

durham2025_

View

Nov 19

Open
We've waited a long time to hug people. Rediscover exchanging greetings, hugging and shaking hands at Clayport Library as part of #LumiereDurham #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025

We've waited a long time to hug people. Rediscover exchanging greetings, hugging and shaking hands at Clayport Library as part of #LumiereDurham
#Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 ...

durham2025_

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Nov 19

Open
More than 12,000 people from across County Durham have helped to make Lumiere happen since the UKs leading light festival began in 2009. ✨ This year alone, Lumiere is working with community groups including school children, mental health service users, veterans an young carers through creative projects. This includes 685 individuals, 25 schools and six BRILLIANT artists. This community focused approach is also at the heart of our bid to be UK City of Culture 2025, which aims to build on the success of events like Lumiere to create even more opportunities for people to engage in the arts. To find out more, visit our news page: https://durham2025.co.uk/news_post/lumiere-learning-and-participation/ #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #LumiereDurham #CountyDurham

More than 12,000 people from across County Durham have helped to make Lumiere happen since the UKs leading light festival began in 2009. ✨

This year alone, Lumiere is working with community groups including school children, mental health service users, veterans an young carers through creative projects. This includes 685 individuals, 25 schools and six BRILLIANT artists.

This community focused approach is also at the heart of our bid to be UK City of Culture 2025, which aims to build on the success of events like Lumiere to create even more opportunities for people to engage in the arts.

To find out more, visit our news page: https://durham2025.co.uk/news_post/lumiere-learning-and-participation/
#Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #LumiereDurham #CountyDurham ...

durham2025_

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Nov 17

Open
1 DAY TO GO! #LumiereDurham✨ The wait is almost over! The UK's largest light festival is back tomorrow - who's coming to the festival for opening night? Lumiere is a HUGE event in Durham's culture calendar, lighting up the city and county for four incredible nights for residents and visitors to enjoy! 🤩 Find out everything you need to know - from getting there to programme info - at https://www.durham.gov.uk/lumiere #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #Lumiere #lightfestival #culture #countydurham

1 DAY TO GO! #LumiereDurham✨
The wait is almost over! The UK's largest light festival is back tomorrow - who's coming to the festival for opening night?

Lumiere is a HUGE event in Durham's culture calendar, lighting up the city and county for four incredible nights for residents and visitors to enjoy! 🤩

Find out everything you need to know - from getting there to programme info - at https://www.durham.gov.uk/lumiere #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #Lumiere #lightfestival #culture #countydurham ...

durham2025_

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Nov 16

Open
Today marks 20 years since Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone first hit our screens! 🧙🎞️ To celebrate, @thisisdurham has created 'A muggle's guide to North East Harry Potter filming locations', which of course includes @durhamcathedral! Wands at the ready! ✨ Time to unlock some movie magic - Alohomora! 👉 https://www.thisisdurham.com/blog/read/2021/11/a-muggles-guide-to-north-east-harry-potter-filming-locations-b365 #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #harrypotter20thanniversary #HarryPotter #durhamcathedral

Today marks 20 years since Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone first hit our screens! 🧙🎞️ To celebrate, @thisisdurham has created 'A muggle's guide to North East Harry Potter filming locations', which of course includes @durhamcathedral!

Wands at the ready! ✨ Time to unlock some movie magic - Alohomora!
👉 https://www.thisisdurham.com/blog/read/2021/11/a-muggles-guide-to-north-east-harry-potter-filming-locations-b365

#Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #harrypotter20thanniversary #HarryPotter #durhamcathedral ...

durham2025_

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Nov 14

Open
@artichoketrust have lined up some BRILLIANT artists for this year's #LumiereDurham! ✨ Six artists from across the UK will have their artwork on display in various locations across the county after being successful in this year's BRILLIANT competition. Winning ideas include a set of giant gardening tools and an artwork inspired by County Durham’s changing geography. Four of the chosen winners are from the North East, with an additional two applicants selected from outside of the region. BRILLIANT received a record 272 applications, an increase of over 250% since 2019, with a fifth of applicants identifying as d/Deaf or Disabled, Black or a Person of Colour, supporting Artichoke's mission to broaden the diversity of those working in the medium of light art. BRILLIANT also reflects our bid for UK City of Culture, putting local people at the heart of culture and creating an environment that champions inclusivity and diversity. #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 Find out more: https://www.lumiere-festival.com/brilliant-ideas-chosen-for-lumiere-2021/ #BRILLIANTcompetition #Lumiere #lightfestival #culture #artists #artwork

@artichoketrust have lined up some BRILLIANT artists for this year's #LumiereDurham! ✨

Six artists from across the UK will have their artwork on display in various locations across the county after being successful in this year's BRILLIANT competition. Winning ideas include a set of giant gardening tools and an artwork inspired by County Durham’s changing geography.

Four of the chosen winners are from the North East, with an additional two applicants selected from outside of the region. BRILLIANT received a record 272 applications, an increase of over 250% since 2019, with a fifth of applicants identifying as d/Deaf or Disabled, Black or a Person of Colour, supporting Artichoke's mission to broaden the diversity of those working in the medium of light art.

BRILLIANT also reflects our bid for UK City of Culture, putting local people at the heart of culture and creating an environment that champions inclusivity and diversity. #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025

Find out more: https://www.lumiere-festival.com/brilliant-ideas-chosen-for-lumiere-2021/

#BRILLIANTcompetition #Lumiere #lightfestival #culture #artists #artwork ...

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