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: 141
, currently showing 1 to 20.
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.



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.
Guided Tour
Barnard Castle
Come for a walk with us and enjoy some stunning Teesdale scenery and make friends with one of our alpacas. Check out our website at www.teesdale-alpacas.co.uk and use our contact form for more information and booking enquiries Thanks !!


Railway
Stanhope
Take a ride on the Weardale Railway heritage passenger service to enjoy stunning views of Weardale, a National Landscape, and explore the historic market towns of Wolsingham and Stanhope.

Adventure Park / Playground
Staindrop
The Plotters’ Forest is an immersive outdoor playground located in a magical Christmas Tree Plantation at Raby Castle.

Walking
Hamsterley Forest
When you walk around Hamsterley Forest you are walking through a former agricultural and shooting estate. Three walks start from the notice board in the Bedburn car park opposite the cycle hire and two further walks start along the valley from Grove…
Fishery
Baldersdale
Hury Reservoir is an exclusive fly fishery offering fishing in beautiful surroundings. The fishery enjoys lots of open space and is well stocked with rainbow trout from its local fish farm.
Outdoor and Wildlife Activity
Darlington
Spend time in nature and watch the seasons change in Raby Castle’s stunning Deer Park and Walled Gardens, which are open to visitors from 10am - 4pm every day.

Museum
Cowshill
*Killhope will reopen 1st May 2026
Killhope is a multi award winning Victorian lead mining museum offering a great day out for the family.





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…



Fishery
Baldersdale
Balderhead Reservoir is one of the best wild brown trout fisheries in the country, offering fantastic scenery of the North Pennine Grouse Moors.
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…
Horse Riding
Bishop Auckland
Enjoy miles of waymarked horse-riding routes that let you explore the heart of this beautiful forest. Please note, dedicated horse box parking is located in the Grove car park, 2 miles along the Forest Drive from the Bedburn entrance.
Castle / Fort
Staindrop
Welcome to Raby Castle, Park and Gardens. A stunning complete medieval castle in County Durham with a fascinating history and stories to tell.






Outdoor and Wildlife Activity
Edmunbyers
Derwent Waterside Park is the perfect place for fun, laughter and the great fresh air with the people you love.
Picnic Site
Newbiggin
The picnic area is in a sheltered side valley of Teesdale. There are 4 waterfalls in the site and more falls alongside a footpath to Gibson's Cave.
Fishing
Mickleton
Grassholme Waterside Park offers fishing in beautiful surroundings for fly and bait anglers. The fishery enjoys lots of open space and is well stocked with rainbow trout.
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,…
Fishery
Baldersdale
Cow Green Reservoir is one of the best wild brown trout fishery in the country offering fantastic scenery of the North Pennine grouse moors.
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
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