Durham Local Magazine

1 week ago | durhammagazine.co.uk | Barry Kirkham

County Durham’s property market is quietly outperforming expectations, delivering impressive returns for sellers and investors whilst maintaining its crown as one of England’s most accessible housing markets. As we navigate through 2025, the county presents a compelling case study in how regional markets can thrive without pricing out local buyers. The numbers tell a remarkable story. Average house prices reached £138,000 in March 2025, marking a robust 10.7% annual increase.

2 weeks ago | durhammagazine.co.uk | Sara Janiszewska

Dogs bark for many reasons – it’s how they communicate. But can we take steps to stop our pups from expressing themselves quite so noisily? Here are some top tips from RSPCA pet welfare expert Dominika Jagoda:Separation anxietyIf your dog barks when you’re not around, they may be experiencing distress at being alone. Separation anxiety can show in a number of ways, including barking.

1 month ago | durhammagazine.co.uk | Tracy Durham

The eye-catching vertical boilered steam tram Lucie, built in 1890 by the John Cockerill Company of Seraing, Belgium, will be in operation across two special weekends: 10–11 May and 17–18 May 2025. Lucie will join Tanfield’s home fleet and fellow visiting engine Furness Railway No. 20, offering visitors the rare opportunity to ride behind a historic lineup of Victorian and early industrial locomotives during the railway’s Tanfield 300 anniversary programme.

1 month ago | durhammagazine.co.uk | Tracy Durham

Elderly Buzz was desperately weak and covered in matted fur and faeces – which were initially mistaken for tumours – when he was picked up at Drax Power Station near Selby last month. He was wounded and emaciated with limited vision and hearing and was also struggling to use his back legs. The RSPCA’s Goole and District Branch took Buzz into their care and he is now being looked after by one of their experienced fosterers.

1 month ago | durhammagazine.co.uk | Tracy Durham

The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards has now opened for entries (Tuesday 6 May) and will close on 13 August. Last year, more than 4,000 children and young people with a passion for photography, animals and nature entered the competition. Now budding photographers aged 18 years and under are being asked to submit their photos capturing the animal kingdom on a camera or mobile device as the competition officially opens for entries for 2025.