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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: 62

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  1. 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 - 129 reviews129 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 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Chester-le-Street Riverside Park Splash Pad
  2. 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 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Malton Picnic Area Walking Route
  3. deer park auckland palace county durham

    Add Auckland Palace Deer House and Park to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 6 reviews6 reviews

    Auckland Palace Deer House and Park

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Site

    Bishop Auckland

    A charming Gothic Revival 'eyecatcher' built in 1760 in the park of the Bishops of Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Auckland Palace Deer House and Park
  4. 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
  5. External view of the Mining Art Gallery

    Add Mining Art Gallery - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Mining Art Gallery - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Gallery

    Bishop Auckland

    With three permanent rooms and one temporary exhibition space on the ground floor, the gallery explores working life in the coal mines through original artefacts and artworks by prominent mining artists such as Tom McGuinness and Norman Cornish.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Feb 2025to24 Dec 2025Various Opening Times

    Awards

    • Visit England Visitor Ready 2025Visitor Ready
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for Mining Art Gallery - The Auckland Project
  6. Terris Novalis Sculpture

    Add Terris Novalis Sculpture to your Itinerary

    Terris Novalis Sculpture

    Type

    Type:

    Public Art

    Consett

    This sculpture consists of two measuring instruments; a theodolite and an engineer's level, reproduced twenty times life size, standing approximately six metres tall. Made from stainless steel and supported on animal feet, this work is visible for…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Terris Novalis Sculpture
  7. Spennymoor Town Hall Bob Abley Art Gallery

    Add Spennymoor Town Hall Bob Abley Art Gallery to your Itinerary

    Spennymoor Town Hall Bob Abley Art Gallery

    Type

    Type:

    Gallery

    Spennymoor

    The Gallery houses a permanent collection of art, including paintings by Norman Cornish, as well as being host to at least six exhibitions a year.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Spennymoor Town Hall Bob Abley Art Gallery
  8. Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre

    Add Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 125 reviews125 reviews

    Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Chilton Moor, Houghton le Spring

    Rainton Meadows was created by the restoration of the Rye Hill Opencast coal mine in 1996 by UK Coal in partnership with Durham Wildlife Trust and the City of Sunderland.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre
  9. Chester-le-Street Riverside Park

    Add Chester-le-Street Riverside Park to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 129 reviews129 reviews

    Chester-le-Street Riverside Park

    Type

    Type:

    Municipal Park

    Chester-le-Street

    Created in the 1930s, Riverside Park has always been popular with visitors. It was redeveloped in the 1990s and now includes artist-designed ornamental gardens, an events arena, play area and a park centre with cafe and toilets.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2016TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
    More info for Chester-le-Street Riverside Park
  10. Singer/guitar player

    Add BACCANALIA to your Itinerary

    BACCANALIA

    Type

    Type:

    Festival & Events Organisers

    Bishop Auckland

    Baccanalia produces festivals and events in South Durham, offering premier experiences in social revelry and creative entertainment. We have loads going on from Cultural Festivals to Cabaret Nights with something for everyone.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for BACCANALIA
  11. Trees and a part area at National Trust - Gibside

    Add National Trust - Gibside to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 850 reviews850 reviews

    National Trust - Gibside

    Type

    Type:

    Garden

    Gateshead

    Discover fine Derwent Valley views, winding paths and refreshing open spaces. Escape along the avenue and around the gardens for miles of tranquil walks and picnic spots or enjoy family fun at Strawberry Castle play area.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2019TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
    More info for National Trust - Gibside
  12. 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 Ayciffe nature park is wholly owned by Great Aycliffe…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Aycliffe Nature Park
  13. 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 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Causey Arch Picnic Area Walking Route
  14. Image of the 1900s Town Street at Beamish Museum, people waiting to board the tram.

    Add Beamish - The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 8964 reviews8964 reviews

    Beamish - The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Beamish

    Discover an amazing journey through time at Beamish Museum as you travel back in time to the 1820s, early 1900s, 1940s and 1950s and become immersed in real, living history.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous North East England Tourism Awards - Large Visitor Attraction of the Year Award - Highly Commended 2020North East England Tourism Awards - Large Visitor Attraction of the Year Award - Highly Commended
    • Visit England VisitEngland Award for Excellence Bronze 2016VisitEngland Award for Excellence Bronze
    • 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 Beamish - The Living Museum of the North
  15. Girl looking through a magnifying glass into a bug pot

    Add RSPB Saltholme to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 491 reviews491 reviews

    RSPB Saltholme

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Middlesbrough

    RSPB Saltholme is the perfect place if you’re new to birdwatching or want to get out in nature. Our family-friendly wetlands have a helpful visitor's centre and hides which let you get up close to water rail, avocet and terns, plus a cafe, play area…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2025to31 Oct 2025Open 09:30 - 17:00
    From:
    1 Nov 2025to31 Mar 2026Open 09:30 - 16:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous VisitEngland Gold Accolade 2023VisitEngland Gold Accolade
    More info for RSPB Saltholme
  16. Picnic Spot: Waldridge Fell (cycling not permitted)

    Add Picnic Spot: Waldridge Fell (cycling not permitted) to your Itinerary

    Picnic Spot: Waldridge Fell (cycling not permitted)

    Type

    Type:

    Picnic Site

    Chester Le Street

    There is no need to travel to the North Pennine hills to enjoy moorland. Waldridge Fell is an unusual landscape to find so close to an urban area but with its mix of rare lowland heath supporting heather and bilberry it makes for a particularly…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Picnic Spot: Waldridge Fell (cycling not permitted)
  17. Garden and exterior of Blackhill and Consett Park

    Add Blackhill and Consett Park to your Itinerary

    Blackhill and Consett Park

    Type

    Type:

    Municipal Park

    Consett

    Blackhill and Consett Park is located in the Blackhill conservation area.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Blackhill and Consett Park
  18. Image of three children outside the Temple of Minerva at Hardwick Park.

    Add Self-Led Love Exploring Trails: Roman Game at Hardwick Park to your Itinerary

    Self-Led Love Exploring Trails: Roman Game at Hardwick Park

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Sedgefield

    Try our bespoke new game to learn more about Hardwick Park's East Park and the unique Roman settlement that was found there.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Self-Led Love Exploring Trails: Roman Game at Hardwick Park
  19. 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 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Visit England VisitEngland Welcome Award 2024VisitEngland Welcome Award
    • Visit England VisitEngland Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2024VisitEngland Quality Assured Visitor Attraction
    More info for Hopetown Darlington
  20. 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 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Fishburn & Bishop Middleham Circular Walk
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