Where to stay and what to do on a visit to Durham

Where to stay in Durham for a short break or a holiday with your family

Durham is divided into four key areas, Durham City, Durham Coast with the popular seaside town Seaham and Castle Eden, the Vale of Durham and the Durham Dales. Based in the North East of England, UK in between North Yorkshire and Northumberland.

There are a number of hotels, bed and breakfasts and accommodation within Durham including more main stream ones such as Travelodge Durham, Premiere Inn Durham, Best Western, and Radisson Blu Durham. We also offer five star luxury accommodation such as Seaham Hall Serenity Spa and Rockilffe Hall Hotel.
Within Durham City we have the Radisson, Durham Marriott Royal hotel, The Bridge Hotel, The Honest Lawyer all based in Durham City Centre alongside the recently launched Hotel Indigo Durham.

Look for more accommodation in Durham City >

Further afield we have the Eden Arms, Hallgarth hotel, and the Manor House Hotel. We also host a number of boutique hotels, varied holiday houses, holiday cottages, youth hostels and cheap hotels depending on your budget. Many of our hotels in Durham have spa hotel facilities.

Look for more accommodation in the Durham Dales > or where to stay in the Vale of Durham >

If you are looking for places to stay in Durham that is a bit different we have Lumley Castle which is stepped in history, as well as Durham Castle where you can stay when the Durham University students have left. Search thisisdurham.com for specific towns to stay in Durham such as hotels in Seaham, Stanley, Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland, Chester-le-Street and Consett. Or perhaps you are looking for dog friendly hotels in Durham.

If you love camping then there are a number of wonderful campsites throughout Durham. The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Beauty caters for anyone who loves walking and cycling in Durham or simply viewing the wildlife and star gazing. Gaze at the Dark Skies in Durham whether you are caravanning or in your tent.

Find more campsites in Durham >

Looking for things to do when visiting Durham

When you visit Durham you may be looking for what to do, there is plenty within North East England, during the week or more specifically if you are looking for what’s on this weekend. Activities such as shopping in Durham, visit any of our indoor markets and Durham town farmers markets or experience factory shopping outlet at Dalton Park.

Other Durham events and concerts taking place include The Cricket World Cup, Lumiere Durham, Kynren, Bishop Auckland Food Festival and Durham Christmas Festival all tend to be our calendar highlights. For sport you can watch the Durham Bulls play basketball, go fishing in Durham or watch Durham Cricket Club. In Durham City you can catch a show or view the cinema at The Gala Theatre.

What's on when I visit Durham? >

Durham has a number of outdoor activities you can take part in such as golf, fishing, sightseeing and there are plenty of places to visit we have a number of key attractions in Durham including the Oriental Museum, Durham University Botanic Garden, Beamish Museum, Bowes Museum and the stunning High Force Waterfall in Teesdale.

Discover Durham’s history, in Durham City Centre there is lots to do at Palace Green Library  or you may want to visit Durham Cathedral and Castle. There are plenty of fun places to visit in the north east, uk. Try the seaside town of Seaham for a family fun break and experience watersports at the Marina there are a number of things to do such as paddle boarding, kayaking and rock pooling activities in the summer school holidays to keep everyone entertained or try further inland and visit one of Durham’s farms or take the dog for a walk around Castle Eden Dene, Durham is very dog friendly.

Attractions to visit in Durham > Find more activities to do in Durham >

Finding great places to eat in Durham

When you have had a busy day exploring Durham the last thing you want to do is start cooking. There are many restaurants in Durham and throughout the that serve real food, evening meals, or good pub food. We have some of the best restaurants in Durham as well as cafes some of the favourites include Restaurant 17, Flat White Kitchen, Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, The Cellar Door, Inshanghai, Zen and La Spaghettata.

More restaurants and places to eat in Durham >

But if you are looking for a lighter lunch in Durham or even for a treat you may just want an afternoon tea or an all-day breakfast. Seaham Hall’s afternoon tea is very popular but if you are in a hurry you can grab a quick bite at one of the number of tea rooms in Durham City and market towns such as Sedgefield, Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland and Chester-le-Street.

Looking for lunch in Durham view our Cafes and Tea Rooms >

Thisisdurham.com will provide you with TripAdvisors reviews of Durham so that you get a better feel for the place, and learn what there is to see and what to do. View our online guide to Durham or download our map of Durham to help you find yourself around.

Planning your days out in Durham couldn’t be easier but if you need more assistance then contact our Durham Tourist Information Centre on 03000 262626.