You are invited by Visit County Durham to experience Durham City's dazzling Lumiere light festival, and discover more of this extraordinary county with a visit to another of its exciting attractions - Auckland Castle and experience the wonderful Durham Dales as well as find out about the new Eleven Arches.

With its medieval city, breath-taking countryside, dramatic coast, award-winning attractions and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Durham is a very popular short break destination. And this winter Durham City is set to shine as it plays host to Lumiere, an incredible light festival that takes place between the hours of 4.00pm and 11pm on 12 – 15 November 2015.

The fourth Lumiere light festival returns to Durham City during the UNESCO International Year of Light. Prepare to be amazed as this breathtaking city-wide celebration of light returns to sprinkle magic across Durham City for four dazzling winter evenings. International and local artists, lighting designers, and community groups will breathe new light into the city with an incredible series of installations that will weave a nocturnal art trail through the medieval city.

Fog, floating net sculptures, a whale and the story of the universe are just some of the installations waiting to be discovered at this year's Lumiere Durham, 12th-15th November 2015. Lumiere has become a landmark event in the North East cultural calendar and attracted more than 175,000 visitors in 2013. Previous festivals have included artists such as Tracey Emin, Nathan Coley, Martin Creed, Jacques Rival, Daan Roosegaarde, and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer.

Auckland Castle is one of the UK's most important historical buildings. Since the days of the Norman Conquest in the 11th Century, Auckland Castle has been a seat of power. For almost 900 years, it has been the palace of the Prince Bishops of Durham and although the site where Auckland Castle now stands has seen numerous changes, few will have been as far reaching and visionary as those which are set to take place in the 21st Century.

Eleven Arches is set to become Britain's newest tourist attraction of 2016.  From July 2016 an open air night spectacular at Auckland Castle in Durham, will bring to life 2,000 years of Britain's History through the eyes of the North East, from the Roman times to post World War II, Eleven Arches will entertain up to 8,000 visitors per show across a 7½ acre stage with a cast and crew made up of 1,000 professionally trained volunteers.   Taking inspiration from its artistic partner, Eleven Arches is modelled on Puy du Fou's own night show in France, which has been seen by an international audience of more than 10million people in the last 37 years.   The Durham Dales, incorporating Teesdale and Weardale is a peaceful and tranquil landscape of moors and hills, valleys and meandering rivers, dotted with picturesque villages and market towns. Part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty this special place is the perfect choice for you to explore.

Press Trip Itinerary to Include: (Please note other dates may be available)

Thursday 12 November: • Arrive in Durham City • Lunch and guided tour of the medieval city • Lumiere media briefing • Lumiere festival at leisure

Overnight in Durham City at Radisson Blu

Friday 13 November: • Guided Tour of Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland and learn about the exciting forthcoming attraction Eleven Arches • Tour through the wonderful rolling countryside of the Durham Dales • Lunch • Depart Durham

Links: www.thisisdurham.com/Lumiere www.lumiere-festival.com www.aucklandcastle.org/ elevenarches.org

Issued on behalf of Visit County Durham

For more information or to express interest in this trip please contact: Debbie Sharratt E: debbie@debsharratt.co.uk or T: 07963 955280

For any freelance journalists applying for this trip, please note we can only consider those with commissions.