Visit County Durham- North East tourism stars take centre stage as voting opens in National Tourism superstar competition.

A much-loved volunteer guide at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens is representing County Durham and the wider North East in VisitEngland’s prestigious national Tourism Superstar competition, with public voting now open.

87-year-old Jimmy Nicol, a volunteer guide at Raby Castle, is one of just ten finalists shortlisted nationally in the Tourism Superstar award, which celebrates individuals working in tourism who go above and beyond to create outstanding visitor experiences while championing England’s diverse destinations.

Jimmy secured his place in the national finals after being crowned Durham Tourism Superstar 2025, an annual award organised by Visit County Durham, Durham County Council’s tourism service. He was nominated by a colleague at Raby Castle in recognition of his infectious enthusiasm, dedication and the ambassadorial role he plays not only for Raby, but for County Durham and the North East as a whole.

The national shortlist features finalists from destinations across England, including Norfolk, Leicestershire and Worcestershire, with Jimmy proudly flying the flag for County Durham alongside fellow North East finalist Dan Monk, Director of Astrophotography at Kielder Observatory in Northumberland. He is widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading experts in night sky photography and has played a key role in showcasing Northumberland’s world-class dark skies to a global audience.

Jimmy joined Raby Castle as a volunteer in 2018, where he shares the castle’s fascinating history with visitors and supports major events across the estate, becoming a familiar and friendly face to thousands of visitors each year.

Duncan Peake, CEO at Raby Estates, said: “Jimmy’s dedication to both Raby Castle and County Durham is evident in everything he does. It is the enthusiasm and commitment of people like Jimmy that have helped establish County Durham as the popular visitor destination it is today. I would encourage everyone across the county and the wider North East to show their support and vote for Jimmy in the national Tourism Superstar competition.”

Michelle Gorman, Visit County Durham’s managing director said: “Jimmy is a fantastic example of the people who make County Durham such a special place to visit. His warmth, knowledge and genuine passion for Raby Castle and the wider county leave a lasting impression on everyone he meets. We are incredibly proud to see him representing County Durham on the national stage and wish him the very best of luck.”

Jimmy Nicol said: “Winning the Durham Tourism Superstar award was a wonderful feeling, and to now be representing Raby Castle and County Durham at a national level is a huge honour.

Raby is a place that means a great deal to me, and I’m incredibly proud of the county and the region. To be nominated alongside such fantastic finalists is a real privilege.”

The winner of the national Tourism Superstar award is decided by public vote. Voting is open until the end of English Tourism Week (13–22 March 2026), with the overall winner announced later in the year at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026.