Autumn Breaks

After the long weeks in lock-down, heading outdoors seems more appealing than ever. And in Durham we've got plenty of wide-open spaces for you to explore this Autumn.

The heather moors and colourful hay meadows of the Durham Dales and North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark take on a rich russet glow during the autumn months.

Wrap up warm and take a stroll along the dramatic cliff tops of the Durham Heritage Coast, or enjoy the crisp autumn sunshine as you crunch through the fallen leaves on a walk at Hamsterley Forest or along Durham City’s river banks.

As the days get shorter and the nights draw in Durham’s dark skies come alive as stargazing season begins. Take your pick from 10 official Dark Sky Discovery Sites across the Durham Dales, explore distant galaxies at Grassholme Observatory - the UK’s newest observatory, or stay at a dark sky friendly accommodation so you can stargaze until you fall asleep. 

No matter what the weather, you’ll find a amazing range of indoor and outdoor attractions to discover across the county, many of which have been awarded the VisitEngland ‘We’re Good to Go’ quality mark – which lets you know they have clear processes in place to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable visit.

Find out more about things to see and do, and get more inspiration for a short break here.