Durham says thank you for City of Culture bid support (From The Northern Echo)

Durham says thank you for City of Culture bid support

8:48am Friday 19th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

TOURIST attractions that welcome visitors from around the world are to throw open their doors this weekend to thank people for their support.

About 30 visitor attractions have signed up to offer discount deals to people tomorrow and Sunday to thank them for backing Durham’s unsuccessful bid to be named UK City of Culture 2013.

Nearly 33,500 people backed Durham’s bid, which failed to make the shortlist announced last month, and now the county’s cultural venues have joined forces to show their appreciation.

People who visit attractions taking part and present a voucher printed in today’s Northern Echo will be able to take up deals ranging from free entry and two for the price of one offers, to free child entry and free guided tours.

Among the attractions taking part in the Durham Celebration Weekend are Durham Cathedral, Durham Castle, Barnard Castle, the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery, Durham University’s Botanic Garden, The Oriental Museum, Locomotion, and the Ankers House Museum.

A second passport – available only from tourist information centres and libraries in the county – gives a limited number of two for the price of one admissions to Bowes Museum or Beamish Museum.

Councillor Simon Henig, leader of Durham County Council, which is organising the event, said: “The enthusiasm shown by the attractions and cultural venues for the weekend has been superb.

“It’s a chance to join with the City of Culture partnership in saying thank you and to give something back to the thousands of people in the county who got behind the bid.

“Durham has some great attractions. This is an opportunity for local people to take up the offers, see what is on their own doorstep before the tourism season begins and feel proud to show off Durham’s attractions to friends and family in the future.”

Visitors will be able to complete a short survey at the venues to help plan future events.

Information about the offers, including full terms and conditions, is available by visiting durhamcityofculture.co.uk

Celebrate Durham Weekend: March 20/21 All attractions taking part are open Saturday and Sunday unless stated

FREE ENTRY with voucher

Ankers House Museum with St Mary and St Cuthberts Church, Chester-le-St Saturday only 10.30am – 3pm

Auckland Castle Deer House, Bishop Auckland, 10am - 4pm Botanic Garden, Durham University, Hollingside Lane 10am – 5pm

Bowes Castle Site permanently open

Castle Eden Dene, Peterlee Site permanently open

Durham Cathedral Free entry to all paying parts of the Cathedral except the Tower 10am – 4.30pm

Durham Heritage Centre & Museum, North Bailey, Durham Saturday only 2pm – 4.30pm

Durham Castle Free guided tours with voucher Saturday 2pm – 4pm, Sunday 10pm – 4pm

DLI Museum and Art Gallery, Aykley Heads, Durham, 10am – 4pm

Durham Railway Walks Various locations across County Durham Walks permanently open

Egglestone Abbey, near Barnard Castle Site permanently open

Escomb Saxon Church, Escomb, Bishop Auckland Free entry and free guided tours 2pm – 4.30pm

The Glass & Art Gallery, Medomsley Road, Consett Free entry and free tea/coffee with voucher Saturday 9am – 5pm, Sunday 11am – 4pm

Hardwick Park, Sedgefield 10am – 4pm

Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon One free return steam train ride per voucher 10am – 4pm

Old Fulling Mill, The Banks, Durham 11.30am – 3.30pm

The Oriental Museum, Elvet Hill, Durham Noon – 5pm

Parkland at Dalton Park, Murton 6am – 9pm

The World of Trees & Houghall Gardens 9am – 6pm

Vintage Vehicles Shildon 10am – 4pm

Whitworth Hall Country Park, Spennymoor Free entry and free bag of deer or duck food 10am – dusk

TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE ENTRY

Barnard Castle 10am – 4pm

Crook Hall & Gardens, Frankland Lane, Durham (not normally open this time of year) Saturday 2pm – 5pm

FREE CHILD WITH EACH PAYING ADULT

Beamish Wild – Birds of Prey Centre Beamish Hall Country House Hotel 10am – 4.30pm

Hall Hill Farm, Lanchester 10.30am – 5pm

Tweddle Children’s Animal Farm, Filpoke Lane, Blackhall Colliery 10am – 5pm

THREE FOR THE PRICE OF TWO

Diggerland Langley Park 10am – 4pm

TWO FOR ONE WITH SPECIAL PASSPORT Available from County Durham libraries and TICs. Voucher not valid for these attractions

Beamish Museum 10am – 4pm

Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle 10am – 5pm