Whether you’re interested in our industrial heritage, art, ancient castles, exotic gardens or fun for kids, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Durham.
Highlights include:
The Bowes Museum houses a collection of outstanding European fine and decorative arts.
Durham Cathedral, thought by many to be the finest example of Norman church architecture in England, with the tombs of St Cuthbert and The Venerable Bede.
Visit Beamish open air museum for towns and villages recreating life in the North East in the early 1800s and 1900s.
Adventure Valley
Adventure Valley is Durham’s newest day out! Split into 6 Play Zones (with 3 under cover), you’ll find the very best in family fun come rain or shine. Spanning three levels of multi-play, you’re guaranteed hours of ‘all weather fun’ within the Indoor Play Town Packed with slides, tubes, tunnels and scramble nets, your children [...]
Address:
Union Hall Farm Brasside Durham County Durham
DH1 5SG
Telephone: 0191 386 8291
Beamish Museum
Beamish is a world famous open air museum telling the story of the people of North East England at two important points in their history - 1825 and 1913. In 1825, the region was rural and thinly populated. The Industrial Revolution, particularly the coming of the railways, accelerated change. By 1913 the heavy industries of the [...]
Address:
Beamish Museum, Beamish, County Durham,
DH9 0RG
Telephone: 0191 370 4000
Beamish Wild – Bird of Prey Conservation Centre
Beamish Wild Bird of Prey Conservation Centre is a conservation centre dedicated to the preservation of all species of bird of prey by using education as a primary route for raising public awareness. Situated within the magnificent stately grounds of Beamish Hall Country House in Durham, we are uniquely placed within a beautifully enchanted woodland [...]
Address:
Beamish Hall Country House Hotel Beamish County Durham
DH9 0YB
Telephone: 01207 233733
Bishop Auckland Discovery Centre
The Discovery Centre in Bishop Auckland has now been Open at its current location since February 2007, the centre has played host too many events over the years such as the North East Meccano Society’s exhibition which alongside the Discovery Centre made an appearance on Tyne Tees Tonight. Other successful exhibitions that have been displayed [...]
Address:
17 North Bondgate Bishop Auckland County Durham
DL14 7PG
Telephone: 01388 662221
Broom House Farm Adventure Trail
he Broom House Woodland Adventure Trail is open everyday until 12th September 10:30am-5pm and will then be open every weekend. Broom House offers Durham’s most exciting action packed fun for all the family. Follow the trails, attempt the woodland challenges…climb the towers, wizz down the slide, fly along the zip wire and dare to enter the tunnels. [...]
Address:
Broom House Farm, Witton Gilbert, Durham
DH7 6TR
Telephone: 0191 3719697
Crook Hall Gardens
The 13th century Grade I listed Medieval hall provides a spectacular backdrop to the stunning gardens. Visitors from all over the world come to share in the timeless magic of Crook Hall and leave inspired by these idylic English theme gardens. Soak up the atmosphere over a home-made cream tea in the pretty courtyard or [...]
Address:
Crook Hall & Gardens, Frankland Lane, Sidegate, Durham
Telephone: 0191 384 8028
Diggerland
Diggerland is the ultimate adventure park for all ages, where you can ride, drive and operate full size construction machinery. Fasten your seat belts and get spun, shaken and elevated on the crazy ‘Spin Dizzy’. Hold on tight whilst we elevate you to a height of over 50 feet on the ‘Sky Shuttle’. You can [...]
Address:
Langley Park, County Durham
DH7 9TT
Telephone: 0871 22 77 007
DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery
The DLI Museum & Durham Art Gallery is home to the treasures of The Durham Light Infantry, County Durham’s own regiment. It charts the history of the dli from 1758-1968 through the eyes of the soldiers who fought and their families back home. Displays include uniforms, weapons, equipment, photographs and battlefield relics. Visit the Medal [...]
Address:
DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery Aykley Heads Durham
DH1 5TU
Telephone: 0191 3842214
Down at the Farm
Down at the Farm is a real working farm located in 20-acres of beautiful rural countryside close to Houghton-le-spring – with good road links from Sunderland, Durham, Washington, Middlesborough and Newcastle. With a family history of farming going back five generations we can offer visitors a truly unique day out in the countryside, accessible from [...]
Address:
Stoneygate Houghton Le Spring
DH5 8JG
Telephone: 0191 5841873
Durham Castle and Cathedral
Durham Castle and Cathedral, seated high on a peninsula overlooking the River Wear, have been the first sight to greet visitors to this historic city for hundreds of years and were jointly designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. Construction on the castle began in 1072, just after the Norman Conquest, under the orders [...]
Address:
The Chapter Office, The College, Durham,
DH1 3EH
Telephone: 0191 386 4266
Durham City
Bill Bryson called it ‘a perfect little city’ and Condé Nast’s Traveller magazine readers voted it the ‘Best city in the UK’ – now Durham warmly awaits your visit to receive another seal of approval. A captivating city with winding cobbled streets and a prominent peninsula crowned with the dramatic Cathedral and Castle World Heritage [...]
Durham Heritage Centre and Museum
Durham Heritage Centre and Museum tells the story of the City of Durham from medieval times to the present day. The museum is situated in an historic church next to the World Heritage Site of Durham Cathedral and Castle. A visit to the Museum with its stimulating exhibitions, models, hands-on activities and videos is the [...]
Address:
Durham Heritage Centre and Museum St Mary-le-Bow North Bailey Durham
DH1 3ET
Telephone: 0191 384 5589
Durham University Botanic Garden
The Botanic Gardens have plant collections from around the world, including China, Japan, North America, South Africa, New Zealand and Chile, as well as a woodland garden, alpine garden and bamboo grove. In the glasshouses you will find a collection of tropical rainforest plants, desert plants, and more familiar plants from the mediterranean. We also have some [...]
Address:
Durham University Botanic Garden Hollingside Lane, South Road Durham City
DH1 3TN
Hall Hill Farm
Set in the beautiful, rolling hills of County Durham, Hall Hill Farm is a mixed farm of 290 hectares. There are lots of friendly animals waiting to meet you including lambs to bottle feed, fluffy chicks, inquisitive goats, the magnificent Highland Cattle and the children’s favourite, rabbits and guinea pigs to cuddle and stroke. Have [...]
Address:
Lanchester Durham County Durham
DH7 0TA
Telephone: 01388 731333
High Force Waterfall
The woodland walk leads you to this spectacular sight. As you begin the descent down the gentle slope the well-maintained path twists and turns giving a different view every few yards. The muffled rumble suddenly turns to a roar and the sight astounds you. High Force commands your respect. From its rise as a trickle, [...]
Address:
High Force Forrest - in - Teesdale Co. Durham
DL12 0QH
Telephone: 01833 622209
Killhope – The North of England Lead Mining Museum
Winner of the 2008 Small Visitor Attraction of the Year Killhope is a great day out for young and old. Killhope explores the life of North Pennine lead mining families. Come and see how Victorian North Pennine lead mining families lived. Accompany one of our award-winning, friendly and knowledgeable guides on an underground tour of [...]
Address:
Killhope Cowshill Upper Weardale Co Durham
DL13 1AR
Telephone: 01388 537505
Locomotion – The National Railway Museum
The National Railway Museum tells the story of the railways through a national collection of railway artefacts, images and records. Home to over 70 railway vehicles from the national collection with lively interactive displays relating to the development of the railways in Shildon. The museum’s facilities include a collections centre which contains seven tracks and is [...]
Address:
the National Railway Museum at Shildon Shildon, County Durham.
DL4 1PQ
Telephone: (01388) 777999
Oriental Museum
The Oriental Museum is the only museum in northern Britain dedicated solely to the art and archaeology of the Orient. The remarkable collections reveal to the visitor the history and pre-history of the great cultures of Asia, the Near and Middle East and North Africa. Highlights include one of the largest and finest collections of [...]
Address:
Elvet Hill Durham County Durham
DH1 3TH
Telephone: 0191 334 5694
Raby Castle
Raby Castle near Staindrop, County Durham is one of the largest inhabited castles in England. It has opulent eighteenth and nineteenth century interiors inside a largely unchanged late medieval shell. It is a Grade I listed building. Raby once belonged to the Neville family, who became one of the most powerful in England. Cecily Neville, [...]
Address:
Staindrop, Co. Durham
DL2 3AH
Telephone: 01833 660202
Tanfield Railway
With an unparalleled history dating back to 1725, spectacular scenery and a truly unique atmosphere, it is no wonder that the Tanfield Railway is the North East’s biggest and most popular steam railway. Less than half an hour from Newcastle and within easy reach of Tyneside, Wearside and County Durham, steam trains run every Sunday [...]
Address:
Tanfield Railway Marley Hill Engine Shed Old Marley Hill
NE16 5ET
Telephone: 0845 463 4938
The Bowes Museum
The Bowes Museum is a hidden treasure, a jewel in the heart of beautiful Teesdale. The magnificent building stands proud in the historic market town of Barnard Castle housing internationally significant collections of fine and decorative arts. The Bowes Museum first opened to the public on 10th June 1892 and attracted nearly 63,000 visitors in its [...]
Address:
The Bowes Museum Barnard Castle County Durham
DL12 8NP
Telephone: 01833 690606
The Bowes Museum
The Bowes Museum is a hidden treasure, a jewel in the heart of beautiful Teesdale. The magnificent building stands proud in the historic market town of Barnard Castle housing internationally significant collections of fine and decorative arts. The Bowes Museum
The Glass and Art Gallery
Featuring the work of more than 120 regional artists. A wide variety of unique works of art which include glass, ceramics, paintings, metalwork and textiles. A visit to The Glass & Art Gallery offers the chance to browse at your leisure and admire the beautiful things, uniquely created by over 120 North East artists. Each [...]
Address:
194 Medomsley Road Consett County Durham
DH8 5HX
Telephone: 01207 583353
The Old Fulling Mill Museum of Archaeology
Once a key part of Durham’s cloth-making industry, The Old Fulling Mill is now home to Durham University’s Museum of Archaeology. The collections on display provide a fascinating insight into the rich heritage of the North East of England, as well as showcasing items from across Europe. Highlights include outstanding Roman collections together with Anglo-Saxon, [...]
Address:
The Banks Durham County Durham
DH1 3EB
Telephone: 0191 334 1823
Tweddle Children’s Animal Farm
Tweddle Farm is bursting with Animal Fantasticness, so why not come along today and see for yourself. A Children’s Animal Farm and Petting Centre, with outdoor play area, picnic area, indoor school room and tearoom. Our animals include llamas, wallabies and friends. If you want to experience a thrilling day out for the whole family, [...]
Address:
Tweddle Children's Animal Farm Fillpoke Lane Blackhall Colliery
TS27 4BT
Telephone: 0191 586 3311
Weardale Museum and High House Chapel
High House Chapel is now the oldest Methodist chapel in the world in continuous weekly use since its foundation in 1760 and is one of only 4 chapels listed by Simon Jenkins in his book ‘England’s Thousand Best Churches’, 1999. Wesley preached here 13 times and the small folk museum next door includes a dedicated [...]
Address:
Ireshopeburn Bishop Auckland County Durham
DL13 1HD
Telephone: 01388 517433
Weardale Railway
The Weardale Railway is a British single-track branch line railway providing regular daily passenger service between Bishop Auckland (West), Wolsingham, Frosterley and Stanhope. Services began on 23 May 2010 after a lapse of almost sixty years. The railway originally extended from Bishop Auckland to Wearhead in County Durham, a distance of about 25 miles (40 km). [...]
Address:
Stanhope Station
DL13 2YS
Whitworth Hall Country Park
Historic parkland (73 acres) 7 miles from Durham, former home of the Shafto family, including Bonny Bobbie Shafto, for over 300 years. Hand-feed the resident red and fallow deer, ornamental lake with waterfowl and coarse fishing, woodland walk and Victorian walled garden featuring Britain’s most northerly vineyard. Indoor and outdoor children’s play areas, deer food, [...]
Address:
Whitworth Spennymoor County Durham
DL16 7QX
Telephone: 01388 811772