WEARDALE VISITOR NETWORK
By Sue Andrews WVN Secretary
THE Weardale Visitor Network was formed around 20 years ago as a partnership of local businesses
involved in tourism within the Durham Dales.
We actively promote Weardale as a destination for visitors, primarily through our website
‘Discover Weardale’ : www.discoverweardale.com on which all members of the organisation have a
profile with links to their own webpage. At present we have over 40 members representing
accommodation providers, retailers and attractions catering to the visitors to our lovely Dale.
We also have two Facebook pages – ‘Discover Weardale’
https://www.facebook.com/discoverweardale which we have developed to promote our businesses
and special events to both residents and visitors and it has become a key place to showcase what is
happening in the Dale. We also have ‘WVN Member Forum’ which is a Facebook page for our
member organisations and where we publicise changes to legislation and other information relevant
to the tourism industry.
The annual membership fee is £35 which includes an entry on our website, and it will run until 31
March 2026. We meet monthly and have input from partners such as Visit County Durham and the
North Pennines National Landscape (formerly AONB) to learn of new developments in the area, as
well as sharing our experience and getting to know other businesses in the sector. There is no
requirement to attend meetings, but many members find them interesting and useful. We are a
friendly and supportive group.
We had a stand at the recent Chapel Show, and were able to talk to visitors and recommend
walks and places to visit, as well as displaying an array of leaflets from our member businesses. We
also took the opportunity at the Show to present a cheque to Team Leader John Little of the
Teesdale and Weardale Mountain Search and Rescue. The Mountain Rescue service depends on
donations for its survival – the cost of equipment, training and insurance is incredibly steep.
And don’t think you’ll never need them as you never venture into the hills; they are often called
out to support the ambulance service if a casualty is sited somewhere the ambulance cannot
reach. The rescue team comprises about 50 volunteers, all on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All
the volunteers have full time jobs and meet almost all their own expenses. The team will typically
respond to between 40 and 50 requests for help every year. It was a very worthwhile cause to
support, and you can make your own donation via their website: https://www.twsmrt.org.uk/
If you have a business involved in tourism in this area, please do contact the Network for more
information or come along to one of our meetings to have a chat and see what we are about. You
can contact us via the Facebook page or website, or email
Photos: The Weardale Visitor Network Team. Presenting the cheque to the Teesdale & Weardale
Mountain Search and Rescue Team
