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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: 58

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  1. Hury Reservoir Trout Fishery

    Add Hury Reservoir Trout Fishery to your Itinerary

    Hury Reservoir Trout Fishery

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Mar 2026to31 Oct 2026
    More info for Hury Reservoir Trout Fishery
  2. Take a walk with alpacas at Teesdale Alpacas in the Durham Dales

    Add Teesdale Alpacas Farm Visits to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 122 reviews122 reviews

    Teesdale Alpacas Farm Visits

    Type

    Type:

    Attraction

    Barnard Castle

    Come for a leisurely wander around our farm and make friends with our wonderful animals.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award 2020 2020TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award 2020
    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for Teesdale Alpacas Farm Visits
  3. Kids on big chair at Derwent

    Add Derwent Waterside Park to your Itinerary

    Derwent Waterside Park

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Derwent Waterside Park
  4. 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 - 1483 reviews1483 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 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

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

    Add Sarah Nelson Studio to your Itinerary

    Sarah Nelson Studio

    Type

    Type:

    Art and Craft Activity

    Woodland

    Sarah Nelson Studio, set within an upland hay meadow, in the high Durham Dales, offers year round creative workshops which encourage individual expression and a joy of mark making. This live work natural space also includes Sarah Nelson Gallery…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Sarah Nelson Studio
  6. Balderhead Reservoir Trout Fishery

    Add Balderhead Reservoir Wild Brown Trout Fishery to your Itinerary

    Balderhead Reservoir Wild Brown Trout Fishery

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Mar 2026to30 Sept 2026
    More info for Balderhead Reservoir Wild Brown Trout Fishery
  7. Waterfall at Gibson's Cave, situated nearby to Bowlees Visitor Centre

    Add Bowlees Picnic Area to your Itinerary

    Bowlees Picnic Area

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Bowlees Picnic Area
  8. A track through the trees

    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 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Horse Riding at Hamsterley Forest
  9. 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 - 1909 reviews1909 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 58,000 items in this Museum of artists, designers and makers, there are treasures at every turn.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • 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
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for The Bowes Museum
  10. Deer Park Raby Castle

    Add The Deer Park and Walled Gardens at Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1483 reviews1483 reviews

    The Deer Park and Walled Gardens at Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for The Deer Park and Walled Gardens at Raby Castle
  11. High Force Waterfall

    Add High Force Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1382 reviews1382 reviews

    High Force Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    1 Nov 2026to31 Mar 2027Open 10:00 - 16:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for High Force Waterfall
  12. Raby Castle gardens with castle in background

    Add Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1483 reviews1483 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 2026to24 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:30
    From:
    1 Mar 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 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
  13. Two children playing on wooden sculpture.

    Add Magical Waterfall Woods - High Force to your Itinerary

    Magical Waterfall Woods - High Force

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Trail

    Forest in Teesdale

    A new exploratory trail has been introduced at this local natural landmark to encourage children to engage with nature and see the benefits of outdoor play.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Magical Waterfall Woods - High Force
  14. Meeting of the Waters

    Add Meeting of the Waters at Abbey Bridge to your Itinerary

    Meeting of the Waters at Abbey Bridge

    Type

    Type:

    Viewpoint

    Barnard Castle

    The Rivers Tees and Greta join together at a local beauty spot called “The Meeting of the Waters” not far from the elegant Rokeby Hall and Gardens in Teesdale. The Teesdale Way public footpath can be accessed on the south side of Abbey Bridge…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Meeting of the Waters at Abbey Bridge
  15. The Retreat Spa Redworth Hall

    Add The Retreat at Redworth Hall to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 474 reviews474 reviews

    The Retreat at Redworth Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Spa and Relaxation

    Newton Aycliffe

    Set in the heart of County Durham, The Retreat at Redworth Hall Hotel has undergone an incredible refurbishment programme, designed to significantly enhance its facilities and promote an aura of relaxation.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    • Green Awards Green Tourism - Silver 2024Green Tourism - Silver
    More info for The Retreat at Redworth Hall
  16. Stanhope Fossil Tree

    Add Stanhope Fossil Tree to your Itinerary

    Stanhope Fossil Tree

    Type

    Type:

    Natural Feature

    The Stanhope tree was found in a sandstone quarry at Edmundbyers Cross, north of Stanhope, in 1915. Its discovery is recorded by this photograph in the Auckland and County Chronicle, dated 13 May 1915. The accompanying article also mentions another…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Stanhope Fossil Tree
  17. Waterfall at Gibson's Cave, situated nearby to Bowlees Visitor Centre

    Add Bowlees Visitor Centre to Gibsons Cave to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 333 reviews333 reviews

    Bowlees Visitor Centre to Gibsons Cave

    Type

    Type:

    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…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Bowlees Visitor Centre to Gibsons Cave
  18. Coarse fishing at Derwent

    Add Derwent Waterside Park Fishery to your Itinerary

    Derwent Waterside Park Fishery

    Type

    Type:

    Fishing

    Edmundbyers

    Derwent Waterside Park offers fishing in beautiful surroundings for fly and bait anglers. The fishery enjoys lots of open space and is well stocked from its own fish farm.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Derwent Waterside Park Fishery
  19. A Witch and a cat riding a broom.  Room on the Broom © 2001 Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

    Add Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Redford, Hamsterley Forest

    This interactive family trail is packed with Room on the Broom themed activities, fascinating forest facts and plenty of hands-on fun. 

    Dates

    From:
    28 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  20. 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 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for St Mary's Barnard Castle with Whorlton
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