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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: 54

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  1. High Force Waterfall

    Add High Force Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1353 reviews1353 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 2025to31 Oct 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    1 Nov 2025to31 Mar 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for High Force Waterfall
  2. Escomb Saxon Church

    Add Escomb Saxon Church to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 101 reviews101 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
    More info for Escomb Saxon Church
  3. 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
  4. 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
    More info for Picnic Spot: Rookhope
  5. A train at The Weardale Railway

    Add The Weardale Railway - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 569 reviews569 reviews

    The Weardale Railway - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for The Weardale Railway - The Auckland Project
  6. Deer Park Raby Castle

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

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1318 reviews1318 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 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for The Deer Park and Walled Gardens at Raby Castle
  7. Derwent Reservoir Trout Fishery

    Add Derwent Reservoir Walk to your Itinerary

    Derwent Reservoir Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Edmundbyers

    Discover the wildlife and history of Derwent Reservoir along the multi user trail while taking in the breathtaking views of the reservoir.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Derwent Reservoir Walk
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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 2025to31 Oct 2025

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for Weardale Museum
  12. 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
  13. 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 - 331 reviews331 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 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Bowlees Visitor Centre to Gibsons Cave
  14. 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

    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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