County Durham volunteer guide hoping to win national Tourism Superstar award
87 year-old Jimmy Nicol has been with Raby Castle since 2018
A man's hoping to be crowned national Tourism Superstar later this year for his role as a volunteer guide at an attraction near Darlington.
87 year-old Jimmy Nicol is one of just 10 finalists shortlisted nationally for the award, which celebrates individuals working in tourism who go above and beyond to create outstanding visitor experiences while championing England's diverse destinations.
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 for thousands of visitors each year.
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.
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 has helped establish County Durham as the popular visitor destination it is today."
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, which closes today, with the overall winner announced later in the year at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026.