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Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.

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You are here > Home > Explore Durham > Vale of Durham > Things to do in the Vale of Durham

Things to do in the Vale of Durham

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Number of results: 43

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  1. Aycliffe Nature Park

    Add Aycliffe Nature Park to your Itinerary

    Aycliffe Nature Park

    Type

    Type:

    Parkland / Woodland Garden

    Newton Aycliffe

    Aycliffe Nature Park is located to the east of Newton Aycliffe, where a disused railway line crosses under the A167 and is accessed either via Groat Drive or from Travellers Green. The site of Aycliffe nature park is wholly owned by Great Aycliffe…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Aycliffe Nature Park
  2. Durham Mining Museum

    Add Durham Mining Museum to your Itinerary

    Durham Mining Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    Spennymoor

    Spennymoor Town Hall has it’s dedicated memorial to the works and lives lost during the mining period across County Durham. Events cover mining in the Northern part of England i.e. County Durham, Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmorland and the…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Durham Mining Museum
  3. 'Lily of Lumley' - Escape Rooms Durham at Lumley Castle

    Add Escape Rooms Durham - Lily of Lumley to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 475 reviews475 reviews

    Escape Rooms Durham - Lily of Lumley

    Type

    Type:

    Attraction

    Chester-le-Street

    Lumley Castle holds a secret. For centuries the halls and passageways have been said to be haunted by Lily Of Lumley. You and your team are here to investigate the haunting and solve the mystery. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Escape Rooms Durham - Lily of Lumley
  4. In Our Image Sculpture by Joseph Hillier

    Add Sculpture: In Our Image to your Itinerary

    Sculpture: In Our Image

    Type

    Type:

    Public Art

    NEWTON AYCLIFFE

     Designed by artist Joseph Hillier, In Our Image is a landmark designed to represent the industrial heritage of the area.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Sculpture: In Our Image
  5. Garden centre

    Add Congburn Nurseries & Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Congburn Nurseries & Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Garden Centre

    Edmondsley

    A one-stop-shop for all your gardening needs as well as our stunning woodland walk which extends over 15 acres, and our very popular Woodland's Bistro and Venue.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Congburn Nurseries & Garden Centre
  6. Causey Arch Picnic Area Walking Route

    Add Causey Arch Picnic Area Walking Route to your Itinerary

    Causey Arch Picnic Area Walking Route

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Near Stanley

    Causey Arch Picnic Area is UK Woodland Assurance Scheme certified, a scheduled monument and Local Wildlife Site. Habitats include Ancient woodland, running water and grassland. It is suitable for walkers and wheelchair users.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Causey Arch Picnic Area Walking Route
  7. Play area at Chester-le-Street Riverside Park Splash Pad

    Add Chester-le-Street Riverside Park Splash Pad to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 130 reviews130 reviews

    Chester-le-Street Riverside Park Splash Pad

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Activity/Pursuit Centre

    Chester-le-Street

    The splash pad is a state-of-the-art play facility which is free to use and suitable for families from toddlers to early teens. It is the only splash pad in County Durham and replaces the old paddling pool.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Chester-le-Street Riverside Park Splash Pad
  8. Chester-le-Street Leisure Centre

    Add Chester-le-Street Leisure Centre to your Itinerary

    Chester-le-Street Leisure Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Leisure / Swimming Pool

    Chester-le-Street

    25 Metre swimming pool, learner pool, swimming lessons and aqua fit. Sauna and steam room, exercise classes, adventure play area, Fitness suite and weights room. Please ring to check times as a session system is currently in operation.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Chester-le-Street Leisure Centre
  9. Fishburn front street, Tree, village green, houses, road

    Add Fishburn & Bishop Middleham Circular Walk to your Itinerary

    Fishburn & Bishop Middleham Circular Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Fishburn

    Experience this rare landscape and ancient species, and journey through the first stronghold of the Prince Bishops.  A Discover Brightwater walk suitable for children/families.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Fishburn & Bishop Middleham Circular Walk
  10. Flowers, Bullrushes, Grass, Trees

    Add Ferryhill Carrs & Thrislington Circular Walk to your Itinerary

    Ferryhill Carrs & Thrislington Circular Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Ferryhill

    Follow the path of the ancient glacier to discover two protected reserves.  A Discover Brightwater Walk suitable for Children/Families.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Ferryhill Carrs & Thrislington Circular Walk
  11. An historic steam train on Tanfield Railway in County Durham.

    Add Tanfield Railway to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 492 reviews492 reviews

    Tanfield Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Railway

    Tanfield

    Oldest existing railway in the world, opened 1725. Steam-hauled passenger trains, vintage carriages, 61 locomotives and steam-driven vintage workshop. Please see website for dates and operating times.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Trip Advisor Travellers Choice 2023 2023Trip Advisor Travellers Choice 2023
    More info for Tanfield Railway
  12. The Castle Chare Fountain

    Add The Castle Chare Fountain to your Itinerary

    The Castle Chare Fountain

    Type

    Type:

    Landmark

    Bishop Auckland

    A 19th century water fountain built by a movement against alcohol has been returned to its former glory as part of a heritage project.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for The Castle Chare Fountain
  13. Cuddle the Alpacas at Hall Hill Farm

    Add Hall Hill Farm to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 685 reviews685 reviews

    Hall Hill Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Farm

    Lanchester

    Award-winning farm attraction set in attractive countryside, see and touch the animals at close quarters. Farm trailer ride, gift shop, tearoom, indoor softplay area picnic and play area.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous National Farm Attraction of the Year Award 2017National  Farm Attraction of the Year Award
    • Visit England VisitEngland Welcome Award 2024VisitEngland Welcome Award
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for Hall Hill Farm
  14. Hardwick Park: Ranger Fun

    Add Hardwick Park Walking, Cycling and Horse Riding Routes to your Itinerary

    Hardwick Park Walking, Cycling and Horse Riding Routes

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Sedgefield

    A 1 mile historical circuit walk, a 1.4 mile circular cycle route and a 0.5 mile horse-riding route around the scenic Hardwick Park Country Park.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Hardwick Park Walking, Cycling and Horse Riding Routes
  15. A child playing with bubbles at Hopetown Darlington.

    Add Hopetown Darlington to your Itinerary

    Hopetown Darlington

    Type

    Type:

    Railway

    Darlington

    Discover Darlington's story of engineering, ideas and invention.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Visit England VisitEngland Welcome Award 2024VisitEngland Welcome Award
    • Visit England VisitEngland Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2024VisitEngland Quality Assured Visitor Attraction
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for Hopetown Darlington
  16. The Retreat Spa Redworth Hall

    Add The Retreat at Redworth Hall to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 466 reviews466 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
  17. West Park

    Add West Park to your Itinerary

    West Park

    Type

    Type:

    Parkland / Woodland Garden

    Newton Aycliffe

    West Park is situated next to Ashfield and Oakfield. Apart from a large recreation area it has a large man-made lake which is home during the day to various wild fowl. There are picnic benches situated around the sides of the bottom lake.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for West Park
  18. Bishop Auckland Peoples Museum

    Add Bishop Auckland People's Museum to your Itinerary

    Bishop Auckland People's Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    Bishop Auckland

    The People’s Museum is situated in the old Hippodrome.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Bishop Auckland People's Museum
  19. Malton Picnic Area Walking Route

    Add Malton Picnic Area Walking Route to your Itinerary

    Malton Picnic Area Walking Route

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Lanchester

    This is a picnic site which is UK Woodland Assurance Scheme certified. Habitats include woodland, riverside and wildflower meadow. The 0.5 mile (800m) route shown is suitable for walkers, wheelchair users and those with pushchairs.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Malton Picnic Area Walking Route
  20. Carved wooden sculpture depicting a Dragonfly

    Add Hardwick Park Sculpture Trail to your Itinerary

    Hardwick Park Sculpture Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Sedgefield

    Six wetland-inspired oak pieces, designed and carved by north east artists Lee and Jill Brewster.  The artworks, depicting a dragonfly, frog and other wetland animals, were commissioned by the Discover Brightwater Landscape Project team.  

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Hardwick Park Sculpture Trail
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