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You are here > Home > Explore Durham > Durham Dales > Things to do in the 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.

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Number of results: 41

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  1. High Force Waterfall, blue skies

    Add High Force and Bowlees Geo Trail to your Itinerary

    High Force and Bowlees Geo Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Newbiggin

    This 4-5 mile (6.5-8km) circular walk, from Bowlees Visitor Centre or High Force Hotel car park, will introduce you to some of the special features of the landscape around High Force and Low Force waterfalls.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for High Force and Bowlees Geo Trail
  2. Countryside around Blanchland with women using App.

    Add Geotours App to your Itinerary

    Geotours App

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    A free app has been created to help people explore the geology and landscape of inspiring sites along the European Atlantic Geotourism Route, including the North Pennines.  

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Geotours App
  3. Middleton in Teesdale

    Add Whistle Crag (Near Middleton-in-Teesdale) to your Itinerary

    Whistle Crag (Near Middleton-in-Teesdale)

    Type

    Type:

    Viewpoint

    Middleton-in-Teesdale

    Easily accessed viewing point with stunning and wide reaching views across Teesdale. Ideal spot to capture the North Pennines National Landscape including drystone walls, scattered settlements and open fell land to the far horizon. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Whistle Crag (Near Middleton-in-Teesdale)
  4. St Mary's Barnard Castle with Whorlton

    Add St Mary's Barnard Castle with Whorlton to your Itinerary

    St Mary's Barnard Castle with Whorlton

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Barnard Castle

    St. Mary's Barnard Castle with Whorlton is a place of Peace, Worship and Spirituality situated in the Heart of Teesdale.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for St Mary's Barnard Castle with Whorlton
  5. Horse riding in Durham

    Add Horse Riding: Baldersdale Packhorse Trail - Horse to your Itinerary

    Horse Riding: Baldersdale Packhorse Trail - Horse

    Type

    Type:

    Riding/Trekking Centre

    BARNARD CASTLE

    This circular 18km (60% off-road) horse riding trail has 370m of ascent and starts from the south side of Hury Reservoir. It initially follows the banks of Hury and Blackton Reservoirs in remote Baldersdale, before striking off over the moors on the…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Horse Riding: Baldersdale Packhorse Trail - Horse
  6. Family cycling

    Add Cycling at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Cycling at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Cycling and Mountain Biking

    Bishop Auckland

    Hamsterley Forest is one of the Northeast’s premier mountain bike destinations, with over 2000 hectares of forest to explore on 33 miles of waymarked trails and countless more miles of seldom travelled forest road Hamsterley Forest has something for…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Cycling at Hamsterley Forest
  7. Wallace and Gromit characters. Copyright and TM Aardman/Wallace & Gromit Ltd 2024  All rights reserved

    Add Forest Walkies with Wallace and Gromit at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Forest Walkies with Wallace and Gromit at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Tour

    Redford, Hamsterley Forest

    Join Wallace and Gromit for the ultimate forest walkies.

    Bond with your pooch by taking on dog-tastic challenges together, solve crossword clues and have lots of fun along the way – with everyone’s favourite dog and owner duo for company.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Forest Walkies with Wallace and Gromit at Hamsterley Forest
  8. The Garage Spa

    Add The Garage Spa to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 298 reviews298 reviews

    The Garage Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Spa and Relaxation

    Barnard Castle

    The newly opened destination Garage Spa is set in an historic building, with all the luxury of a first class modern spa and situated in a beautiful area of Teesdale.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Good Spa Guide 5 Bubble Spa 2018Good Spa Guide 5 Bubble Spa
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Good Spa Award 2019Good Spa Award
    More info for The Garage Spa
  9. The Witham lit up at night

    Add The Witham to your Itinerary

    The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Arts Centre

    Barnard Castle

    The Witham is a community venue for theatre, music, art and social events, facilities range from the architecturally award-winning café bar to a fully-renovated Victorian music hall.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2019TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for The Witham
  10. Escomb Saxon Church

    Add Escomb Saxon Church to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 102 reviews102 reviews

    Escomb Saxon Church

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Bishop Auckland

    One of England's finest Saxon churches, Escomb dates to the 7thC and contains a Roman arch and stonework. If locked keys available from 28 Saxon Green (daily 9-6 during summer and 9-4 during winter).

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Escomb Saxon Church
  11. Forests for Wellbeing. Image of someone walking through a pleasant, sunlit forest.

    Add Forests for Wellbeing Trail - Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Forests for Wellbeing Trail - Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Trail

    Hamsterley

    Experience the wellbeing benefits of nature at Hamsterley Forest.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Forests for Wellbeing Trail - Hamsterley Forest
  12. Weardale Museum and High House Chapel

    Add Weardale Museum to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 37 reviews37 reviews

    Weardale Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Ireshopeburn

    Small but fascinating volunteer run folk museum with an amazing collection including the beautiful Weardale Tapestry, displays on mining,a mineral collection and the finds from St Botolph's Chapel, Frosterley.Also a display commemorating the lives…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for Weardale Museum
  13. 2 children in life vests and safety helmets jumping from some rocks into a river with a small waterfall below them

    Add Weardale Adventures to your Itinerary

    Weardale Adventures

    Type

    Type:

    Activity Centre

    Ireshopeburn

    Weardale Adventure Centre offers fun and learning in an area of outstanding natural beauty in County Durham. The centre caters for adults, schools and groups and our experienced and qualified team ensure our guests create memories that last for a…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for Weardale Adventures
  14. Tees Riverside and Hay Meadows Walk

    Add Low Force Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Low Force Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Low Force Waterfall
  15. Manor Spa pool

    Add The Manor House Hotel Spa to your Itinerary

    The Manor House Hotel Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Spa and Relaxation

    Bishop Auckland

    At The Manor Spa, we believe It's All About You, which is why our spa days and spa breaks are tailored to your needs. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Good Spa Guide 5 Bubble Spa 2024Good Spa Guide 5 Bubble Spa
    • Visit England Visitor Ready 2025Visitor Ready
    More info for The Manor House Hotel Spa
  16. H2O at Witton Country Park

    Add H2O Riders to your Itinerary

    H2O Riders

    Type

    Type:

    Activity Centre

    Witton-le-Wear

    Embark on an unforgettable outdoors adventure with paddle boarding, kayaking, or a thrilling water bike ride at the premier water sports hire centre at Witton Castle Activity Lake in County Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for H2O Riders
  17. Sheep in a field

    Add Cowshill to Killhope – an extension of the Weardale Way to your Itinerary

    Cowshill to Killhope – an extension of the Weardale Way

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Bishop Auckland

    A linear 4 mile (6.5km) walk from Cowshill to Killhope Lead Mining Museum along the Mineral Valleys Footpath. This route is waymarked, signposted and covered by OS Explorer Map OL31.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Cowshill to Killhope – an extension of the Weardale Way
  18. North Pennines in Autumn

    Add Picnic Spot: Rookhope to your Itinerary

    Picnic Spot: Rookhope

    Type

    Type:

    Picnic Site

    Bishop Auckland

    It is always worthwhile turning off any of County Durham’s main roads to discover unexpected delights. None more so than in Weardale where in the village of Eastgate (west of Stanhope) a turning leads to the village of Rookhope and one of Durham’s…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Picnic Spot: Rookhope
  19. Teesdale Cheese

    Add Teesdale Cheesemakers Experiences to your Itinerary

    Teesdale Cheesemakers Experiences

    Type

    Type:

    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!

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Dark Sky Friendly Durham 2022Dark Sky Friendly Durham
    More info for Teesdale Cheesemakers Experiences
  20. Large indoor swimming pool illuminated.
Dark tiled floor around the pool and 3 green walls at the back in-between sections with wall lights.

    Add Headlam Spa to your Itinerary

    Headlam Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Spa and Relaxation

    Headlam

    Designed to the highest standards for its members, hotel residents and day spa guests, Headlam Spa is a place to relax, exercise and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of water in a comfortable and friendly environment that reflects the beauty of the…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Good Spa Guide 4 Bubble Spa 2017Good Spa Guide 4 Bubble Spa
    More info for Headlam Spa
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