Things to Do in Durham
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You are here > Home > Explore Durham > Durham Dales > Things to do in the Durham Dales
Seek out natural wonders while walking or cycling in this breathtaking area, discover fascinating museums and much more along the way.
Number of results: 74
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Art and Craft Activity
Frosterley
Woodworking is a skill that has been around for millennia in one form or another. It is a skill that is incredibly useful and opens up a world of possibility - from making a simple shelf or making a new garden gate to making a keepsake box as a gift…
Castle / Fort
Darlington
Welcome to Raby Castle and Deer Park. A stunning complete medieval castle in County Durham with a fascinating history and stories to tell. Explore our Deer Park and adventure playground, The Plotters' Forest or learn about our fascinating Castle…
Nature Reserve
Witton-le-Wear
One of our region’s most important wildlife sites, this wetland reserve, bordered by the River Wear, also contains mixed woodlands and species rich grasslands.
Lake / Reservoir
Edmunbyers
Derwent Waterside Park is the perfect place for fun, laughter and the great fresh air with the people you love. Beautiful walks for all to enjoy
Nature Trail
Consett
Derwent Reservoir is within the North Pennines National Landscape and, after Kielder, is the second largest reservoir in the region. There is a multi-user path from Pow Hill Country Park (south shore) to the dam at the eastern end of the reservoir…
Walking Routes
The North Pennines National Landscape incorporates much of the Durham Dales, and is a stunning landscape of open heather moors, dramatic dales, tumbling upland rivers, wonderful woods, close-knit communities, glorious waterfalls, fantastic birds,…
Nature Trail
Hamsterley
Experience the wellbeing benefits of nature at Hamsterley Forest.
Museum
Barnard Castle
There’s always something great to see and do at The Bowes Museum. With more than 50,000 items in this Museum of artists, designers and makers, there are treasures at every turn.
Walking Route
Upper Weardale
The woodland walks are part of a day out at Killhope – two wildlife hides, one accessible hide on the push chair friendly walk.
Family Fun
Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland
Join Zog on his magical forest adventure at Forestry England’s Hamsterley Forest.
Walking Routes
Newbiggin
Centuries ago Viking invaders and settlers left their mark in the local dialect words of the Durham Dales. The Old Norse word “foss” referred to a waterfall and still it echoes down the ages in the modern word “force”. Close to Bowlees Visitor…
Adventure Park / Playground
Staindrop
The Plotters’ Forest is an immersive outdoor playground located in a magical Christmas Tree Plantation at Raby Castle.
Heritage / Visitor Centre
Newbiggin
Situated amidst stunning woodland, near to Low and High Force waterfalls and surrounded by rolling fields that boast some of the best hay meadows in England, Bowlees Visitor Centre has all you need to make your visit to the North Pennines National…
Natural Feature
Near Middleton-in Teesdale, Barnard Castle
Low Force waterfall is part of the River Tees in beautiful Upper Teesdale. It is easily accessible from Bowlees Visitor Centre.
Outdoor and Wildlife Activity
Barnard Castle
Grassholme Waterside Park is a place that captures your imagination and lets it run wild, for you to make your perfect day out.
Natural Feature
Forest in Teesdale
High Force is one of the most impressive waterfalls in England. The River Tees has been plunging into this gorge for thousands of years but the rocks it reveals are far more ancient – with origins dating back over 300 million yrs.
Walking
Hamsterley Forest
Gruffalo Orienteering - fun family map reading challenge
Try our fun, navigational challenge at Hamsterley Forest using a simple map to find twelve Gruffalo markers hidden in the deep, dark wood.
If you're feeling competitive, choose to run, walk…
Observatory / Planetarium
nr Mickleton
Waterside Parks purpose built observatory, based at Grassholme Reservoir near Barnard Castle, offers you the opportunity to gaze into the vastness and beauty of the universe. Let our lead astronomer guide you to understand the wonders of planets…
Picnic Site
Wearhead
Enjoy a peaceful circular walk around this reservoir in Weardale. There's some wonderful woodland trails and lakeside paths to enjoy. It's a very quiet place with a series of picnic tables where you can stop to enjoy the lovely scenery of the North…
Attraction
Butterknowle
Take a tour of the dairy with Allison and see where the cheese is made or be guided through a food and cheese paring with Jonathan or why not spend the day with us and try your hand at cheesemaking!
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