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    This is Durham Blog

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: 54

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  1. 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
    More info for Horse Riding: Baldersdale Packhorse Trail - Horse
  2. 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
    More info for H2O Riders
  3. Children and adults on mountain bikes - Forestry England/Crown copyright

    Add Squirrel Chaser Blue Cycle Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Squirrel Chaser Blue Cycle Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Cycle Route

    Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland

    Hit the trails at Hamsterley Forest this Easter! Forestry England is delighted to announce the opening of a brand–new, blue (moderate) grade off-road cycle trail at Hamsterley Forest, County Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Apr 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Squirrel Chaser Blue Cycle Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  4. Horse Riding: Blanchland Packhorse Trail - Horse

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

    Horse Riding: Blanchland Packhorse Trail - Horse

    Type

    Type:

    Riding/Trekking Centre

    CONSETT

    This 21km circular horse riding route is 70% off-road and enjoys 1,027m of ascent. It starts at Baybridge, close to the village of Blanchland. You’ll follow the Carriers’ Way across Bulbeck Common, alive with the evocative calls of wading birds in…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Horse Riding: Blanchland Packhorse Trail - Horse
  5. The Garage Spa

    Add The Garage Spa to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 291 reviews291 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

    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
  6. The exterior of The Bowes Museum and its grounds on a sunny day.

    Add The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1877 reviews1877 reviews

    The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2016TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    • Visit England VisitEngland Award Quality Food and Drink 2023 2023VisitEngland Award Quality Food and Drink 2023
    • Visit England Visitor Ready 2025Visitor Ready
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for The Bowes Museum
  7. North Pennines in Autumn

    Add Rookhope Fields and Fells to your Itinerary

    Rookhope Fields and Fells

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Bishop Auckland

    In and around the former lead mining village of Rookhope, this walk takes in both the heritage and the nature of this part of Weardale.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Rookhope Fields and Fells
  8. An arch at night

    Add Stargazing in the North Pennines to your Itinerary

    Stargazing in the North Pennines

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor and Wildlife Activity

    Stanhope

    Some of the darkest skies in England are found in the North Pennines. Much of the area is remote, wild countryside with little development and the views of the night sky are second to none.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Stargazing in the North Pennines
  9. Raby Castle gardens with castle in background

    Add Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1315 reviews1315 reviews

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to24 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    From:
    1 Jan 2025to24 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    1 Jan 2025to24 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    1 Jan 2025to24 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    From:
    1 Jan 2025to24 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:30
    From:
    1 Mar 2025to31 Oct 2025Open 11:00 - 16:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Trip Advisor Travellers Choice 2023 2023Trip Advisor Travellers Choice 2023
    • Green Awards Green Tourism - Silver 2024Green Tourism - Silver
    • Visit England VisitEngland Best Told Story 2024VisitEngland Best Told Story
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  10. Killhope Woodland Walks

    Add Killhope Woodland Walks to your Itinerary

    Killhope Woodland Walks

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2025to31 Oct 2025
    More info for Killhope Woodland Walks
  11. North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty  Guided Walk: Two Hills

    Add Cow Green Geological Trail to your Itinerary

    Cow Green Geological Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Trail

    Barnard Castle

    Cow Green Geological Trail Approximately 4 kilometres each way, this linear trail uses well-marked footpaths and minor roads and is wheel/push chair friendly to the top of Cauldron Snout.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Cow Green Geological Trail
  12. 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
    More info for Geotours App
  13. Children in Hamsterley Forest searching for stick characters on The Stickman Man Trail. Credit Forestry England Crown Copyright

    Add The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland

    Families can join a new forest adventure as the much-loved character Stick Man, based on the beautiful picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, returns to Forestry England Hamsterley.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Feb 2025to31 Jan 2026
    More info for The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  14. The Plotters Forest Outdoor Adventure Playground at Raby Castle

    Add The Plotters' Forest at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1313 reviews1313 reviews

    The Plotters' Forest at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Adventure Park / Playground

    Staindrop

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

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for The Plotters' Forest at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  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

    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. 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
    More info for Cycling at Hamsterley Forest
  17. Hamsterley Forest green man sculpture

    Add Horse Riding at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Horse Riding at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Horse Riding at Hamsterley Forest
  18. Derwent Reservoir County Durham

    Add Derwent Reservoir - Walks, Rides and Wildlife to your Itinerary

    Derwent Reservoir - Walks, Rides and Wildlife

    Type

    Type:

    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…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Derwent Reservoir - Walks, Rides and Wildlife
  19. 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
    More info for Cowshill to Killhope – an extension of the Weardale Way
  20. Walking in the North Pennines

    Add Walking in the North Pennines to your Itinerary

    Walking in the North Pennines

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Stanhope

    The North Pennines have a vast rights of way network, including the Pennine Way National Trail, numerous circular walks and large areas of open access land making it a great place to go for a walk.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Walking in the North Pennines
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