Planning a family trip to Durham? This 3-day itinerary covers the top things to do with kids, from historic landmarks and outdoor adventures to hands-on museums and scenic walks. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a short holiday, this guide helps you make the most of your time.

Is Durham Good for Families?

Yes - the county is ideal for family trips thanks to:
• Walkable historic towns like Durham City and Bishop Auckland
• Outdoor spaces including riversides, parks, and coast
• Interactive attractions and museums suitable for children
• A mix of free and paid activities, making it suitable for different budgets

Best for: families with children aged 4–16, multi-generational trips, and short UK breaks. 

Day 1: Explore Durham City & Riverside

Morning: Start your trip in Durham City, one of the most picturesque historic cities in the UK.
• Visit Durham Cathedral (open daily, free entry). A must-see, with vast stone columns, beautiful stained glass windows, and open spaces that children can explore safely. During the school holidays families can also enjoy hands-on activities and trails. Kids will love stepping foot into the real filming locations of Harry Potter and Avengers Endgame.
• Explore the surrounding historic streets. Wander the cobbled streets lined with independent shops, cafés, and historic buildings.
• Optional: guided tour of Durham Castle. Offering insight into over 900 years of history, throughout the year you can join self-guided tours, or tours with a dedicated student guide. 

✅ Family tip: The open green spaces near the Cathedral are ideal for a quick break or snack stop. Palace Green is a large open square perfect for letting younger children run around.

Lunch: Durham has plenty of relaxed dining options perfect for families:

• Riverside cafés with outdoor seating and scenic views of the River Wear
• Casual restaurants offering child-friendly menus
• Picnic spots along the river if you want a more relaxed option

Afternoon: Take a gentle riverside walk along the river wear, one of the city's highlights.
• Flat, pram-friendly paths suitable for all ages
• Plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting, including birds and ducks
•  Ideal for blowing off energy
• Boat hire or river cruise (seasonal) A real memorable experience for children, hop onboard the Prince Bishop's River Crusier for a relax cruise along the river, or take to the water yourself in Durham's world-famous Brown's Rowing Boats.

Late Afternoon Treat
• Ice cream stop or café break
• Visit independent shops for souvenirs

Evening: Stay in the city centre for a relaxed dinner
• Early family dining options
• Restaurants with children’s menus and relaxed atmospheres

Day 2: Outdoor Adventure & Discovery

Morning: Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

Spend the morning at Beamish Museum, one of the UK’s top family attractions. This open-air museum brings history to life with full-scale recreated streets and buildings.

What kids love:
• Riding historic trams and buses
• Exploring historic shops, houses and schoolrooms. A smash hit with kids is the 1900's town sweet shop and bakery
• Interactive experiences like interacting with costumes staff

✅ Family tip: Plan to spend several hours or at least half a day here, as there's lots to see and do.

Lunch: You'll find lots of different options across the museum site, including cafés,  picnic areas and the famous Fish and Chip shops in the 1950s Town and 1900s Pit Village.

Afternoon: Adventure and Wildlife

Option 1: Adventure Play & Nature - perfect for active families.
• Hamsterley Forest - Miles of walking and cycling trails for all abilities. Play areas and natural spaces for children to explore. Safe, open areas to run and enjoy the outdoors.

Option 2: Wildlife & Coastal Air - head to the coast for fresh sea air and open space.
• Visit the Durham Heritage Coast. Wide beaches perfect for exploring, paddling, or playing.
Dramatic coastal views and walking routes. Ideal for a slower-paced afternoon.

✅ Family tip: Head to Seaham Beach to search for the world-famous Seaham sea glass.

Evening: Return to your family-friendly accommodation to wind down, or enjoy a countryside pub meal. 

Day 3: Fun, Learning & Hidden Gems

Morning: Interactive Museums
Choose from:
• Locomotion - A short drive or bus ride from Durham City, you'll find Locomotion National Railway Museum with hands-on exhibits, large collections of historic trains and vehicles, and plenty of indoor and outdoor space for children to move freely

OR

• Durham University Oriental Museum - A smaller but engaging cultural museum, featuring fascinating artefacts from across Asia. Quiet, manageable space ideal for younger attention spans.

Lunch: Nearby cafés or local family-friendly pubs

Afternoon: Gardens or Easy Walk

• Crook Hall Gardens - A hidden gem close to Durham City centre. Enclosed gardens that are safe and easy to explore with younger children. Seasonal planting provides colour throughout the year. Quiet spaces perfect for a relaxed end to your trip.

OR

• Short scenic walk - You'll find lots of riverside or countryside routes with easy terrain for all ages. Perfect if your family perfers something simple. There's also beautiful parks with play grounds to enjoy a walk and some play time. 

Where to Stay in County Durham 

Best options for families:
•    City centre hotels – ideal for convenience and walking access to attractions
•    Holiday cottages – more space and flexibility, great for longer stays
•    Countryside glamping and campsites – peaceful settings with easy access to nature

Look for:
• Family rooms or flexible sleeping arrangements
• Parking availability
• Proximity to attractions to reduce travel time

FAQs: Family Trips to Durham

What are the best things to do in Durham with kids? You'll find an incredible collection of family-friendly attractions across the county. Top attractions include Beamish Museum, Durham Cathedral, Locomotion, The Bowes Museum, The Auckland Project and many more.

Is County Durham good for a weekend family break? Yes, it’s perfect for 2–3 day trips, offering a mix of indoor and outdoor activities within easy driving distance. 

Is it easy to explore Durham by public transport? Yes - you'll find a numebr of different bus routes which cover the whole county, including the new Durham Explorer service - running every weekend abnd bank holiday until 31 August 2026. Plus, kids travel for free during the summer holidays, and if you travel to select attractions by bus you can take advantage of up to 25% discount off entry! 

Are there free family activities in Durham? Yes - across the county you'll find amazing attractions and experiences to enjoy free of charge. From Durham Cathedral to riverside walks and country parks. Some museums are also free to visit.

When is the best time to visit? Spring and summer offer the best weather, but Durham has year-round appeal, with events and attractions available through autumn and winter.

Discover more family-fun inspiration on our dedicated family web page.