Durham's most Instagrammable spots

Good morning, Durham! And a warm welcome to the 107 new people who have joined the newsletter since last week.

In today’s newsletter:

• Star-studded food festival line-up announced

• Manor Hall’s first time for sale in 400 years

• The 10 most Instagramable spots in Durham

• Durham City welcomes YuMe World

• Durham business news

• And much more

Let’s get to it.

— Stephen

Please share this with your friends if you think they’ll like the Durham Scoop.

New to the newsletter? Sign up for free.

The 10 most Instagrammable spots in Durham 📸

Our latest feature covers the 10 most Instagramable spots in Durham. From the majestic Durham Cathedral to the natural beauty of High Force waterfall, we've rounded up the ultimate spots that promise to send your Insta feed to new heights.

Whether you're after the perfect sunset shot at Raby Castle or looking to capture the serene elegance of the Botanic Gardens, our guide is your ticket to discovering Durham's most captivating views.

Explore the historic, the scenic, and the breathtaking – waiting to make your Instagram feed pop. Read more.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

📸 Lee Hill Photography | 📍 Penshaw Monument (official name: Earl of Durham's Monument)

Tag us on Instagram or Facebook with your brilliant photos of Durham to get in the Scoop!

THE DIGEST

Historic manor hall in County Durham hits the market for the first time in 400 years

Step back in time with the rare opportunity to own a piece of Northern England's history as Unthank Hall, a magnificent Manor House in Stanhope, goes on sale for the first time in 400 years.

Priced at £625,000, this Grade II listed property boasts architectural marvels from Tudor arched fireplaces to mullioned windows and panelled walls, set against the picturesque backdrop of the River Wear and the Weardale Hills.

With six bedrooms, extensive gardens, and a lineage dating back to the 17th century, Unthank Hall offers a unique chance to live in a property that hasn’t been on the market since the House of Stuart. Read more.

Bells Chippy is up for three gongs at the Fish and Chips Oscars 🐟

In a nod to its culinary excellence, Bells Chippy, with branches in Seaham, Washington, and Durham City, has been shortlisted in not one, but three prestigious categories at the National Fish and Chip Awards 2024.

Competing for the Best Multiple Operator, Field To Fryer, and Employee of the Year Awards, Bells represents the best of British fish and chips. It’s one of the tastiest chippies in the North East. Good luck! Read more.

Star-Studded Sunday line-up announced at Bishop Auckland Food Festival

Bishop Auckland Food Festival has just revealed its Sunday line-up, and it's a feast for the senses. Joining the festivities on 21 April are a trio of culinary superstars: BBC Saturday Kitchen's Matt Tebbutt, the award-winning Cyrus Todiwala, and TikTok sensation Meliz Berg.

Last year's festival attracted a whopping 28,000 visitors, and with names like these, this year's event is sure to draw an even larger crowd.

Alongside these chefs, Chris Bavin will charm the audience as the host for both days, and Bishop Auckland's own Mike Bartley is set to dazzle with a fine dining experience at the Town Hall. Find out more.

WEATHER

This week in Durham, we're hosting a parade of clouds, with every day bringing its own shade of grey.

,Monday, 26th: Max: 8°C 🌡️ Min: 0°C | 🌥️ Cloudy changing to light showers by late morning.

Tuesday, 27th: Max: 9°C 🌡️ Min: 4°C | 🌥️ Cloudy changing to clear by early evening.

Wednesday, 28th: Max: 9°C 🌡️ Min: 6°C | ☁️ Cloudy.

Thursday, 29th: Max: 11°C 🌡️ Min: 2°C | 🌥️ Cloudy changing to light rain by lunchtime.

Friday, 1st March: Max: 8°C 🌡️ Min: 1°C | 🌥️ Cloudy changing to light rain by lunchtime.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

The Comedy Store returns to the Durham Gala 🎭

The Comedy Store, a titan in the comedy world for over 35 years, is returning to the Durham Gala this March, promising an evening of unstoppable giggles and grins. Known as a hotbed for fresh talent, it's the same stage that saw the early days of comedy giants like Eddie Izzard and Sarah Millican.

While the line-up remains closely guarded until the eleventh hour, anticipation is sky-high. Perfect for those 18 and over, it’s a night sprinkled with sharp wit and a dash of strong language. Tickets are £12 (concessions at £10), and an even friendlier £9 for students and Gala members. Find out more.

Durham welcomes YuMe World: A new family entertainment mecca 🕹️

Durham city centre is preparing for the upcoming launch of ‘YuMe World Durham’ at the Riverwalk complex, promising to be a new way to blend of entertainment and sweet indulgence.

Not resting on its laurels after the success in Newcastle, YuMe World is expanding its footprint to Durham, introducing a state-of-the-art arcade centre and its first-ever premium desserts restaurant under one roof.

With a £1.3m investment paving the way, this family-friendly venue is gearing up to open its doors by March, bringing along 25 new job opportunities.

Celebrate International Women's Day with WISH North East

Mark your calendars for Friday, 8 March, as WISH North East hosts an International Women's Day lunch at Durham Cricket. The event promises an afternoon filled with celebration, inspiration, and recognition of the incredible women in the social housing sector.

The event features President of the Chartered Institute of Housing, Jill Murray as speaker and guests will be treated to welcome drinks, a two-course lunch, and the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals. Find out more.

HMS Pinafore anchors at Assembly Rooms Theatre

All aboard for a voyage of hilarity with Gilbert and Sullivan's beloved comic operetta, "HMS Pinafore," docking at the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre in Durham City. The production brings to life the tale of Josephine, the Captain's daughter, as she navigates the choppy waters of love and duty.

The show is on Thursday 29 Feb, Friday 1 March and Saturday 2 March. Tickets are £12 standard, £9 for concessions, and an even more accessible £7 for DST Members. Doors open at 7 pm on Thursday and Friday and 2:30pm for the Saturday matinee. Find out more.

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK

Properties in the Co Durham boundaries that recently came to market.

Beechwood is a stone-built detached property located within the valley of Beamish Park. Dating back to 1875 it has an attached annexed accommodation and comes with 13 acres of woodland and grassland.

Check the listing to see the price.

DURHAM BUSINESS NEWS

Learn how to build a brand strategy for a digital world

Develop your digital excellence with the "Building a Brand Strategy for a Digital World" workshop taking place on 19th March at Durham Cricket Club.

Hosted by the 'Do' Business Network in collaboration with RTC North, this workshop will help you master the digital landscape by learning the art of storytelling, social media finesse, and brand visibility to ensure your business not only competes but thrives in today's dynamic environment. Find out more.

Encore Group seals major expansion with new Peterlee site

The Encore Group, known for producing a staggering quarter of all envelopes in Britain, has just opened the doors to their new warehouse in Peterlee, at the previously Walkers Crisps distribution centre. With a turnover that's more than tripled since 2021, the new 103,000 sqft space is set to boost production capabilities, create numerous local jobs, and further solidify Encore's commitment to the community and environment. Read more.

Durham's PolyPhotonix lights the way in diabetic eye care with revolutionary sleep mask

In a major leap forward for diabetic treatment, Durham-based PolyPhotonix has secured a six-figure investment to enhance the development of its groundbreaking Noctura 400 Sleep Mask.

This innovative device, designed to be worn overnight, offers a new non-invasive treatment by delivering light therapy through closed eyelids potentially reversing the effects of diabetic retinopathy.

With NHS approval and a partnership with a global diabetes equipment provider, PolyPhotonix is setting a new standard in eye care while demonstrating the power of Northern innovation in the medical technology sector. Read more.

EXTRA SPRINKLES

• Durham Regatta has opened applications for trading during the event (link)

• Beamish Museum is hiring for a Digital Communications Manager role (link)

• County Durham and Darlington fire service are hiring new firefighters (link)

• Innov8 North East will showcase the latest sustainability and innovation from the UK’s leading suppliers to the cleaning industry (link)

• 25 pictures from the Fire & Ice Festival (link)

• Plans set out for Hartlepool shopping centre after £1.4m takeover (link)

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

• The White Room - James Kirby - Wed 28th, 7:30 pm (tickets)

• Durham Cathedral - The Best of Hans Zimmer - Thur 29th, 6 pm (tickets)

• Forum Theatre - Whitney: Queen of the Night - Thur 29th, 7:30 pm (tickets)

• The Forum - The NE Street Band | Bruce Springsteen - Fri 1st, 7:30 pm (tickets)

• The White Room - Paul Cowley - Fri 1st, 8 pm (tickets)

• The Fire Station - Lost in Music - Sat 2nd, 7:30 pm (tickets)

• The Flass Inn - Punk Pop Disaster - Sat 2nd, 8 pm (tickets)

• Darlington Hippodrome - The Pink Floyd Experience - Sun 3rd, 7:30 pm (tickets)

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Durham Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who does it for the ‘gram.

Sponsor this newsletter? Get your business in front of lovely Durham locals