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Autumn Breaks
Relax and unwind this Autumn on a short break in Durham. With stunning coastal and countryside landscapes to explore, exciting events, tempting food and drink, and cosy accommodation, Durham’s the place to be this Autumn.
Rekindle your love of the great outdoors as you explore Durham’s stunning coast and countryside. Wrap up warm and take a stroll along the dramatic cliff tops of the Durham Heritage Coast, soak up the beautiful autumnal colours as the heather moors of the Durham Dales and North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark take on a rich russet glow. 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. From Dark Sky Discovery Sites, to Grassholme Observatory - the UK’s newest observatory, and cosy dark sky friendly accommodation, there’s lots of ways to enjoy Durham’s dazzling dark skies.
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.
You’ll also find a packed autumnal events programme to enjoy. See Durham Cathedral in a new light with Museum of the Moon, from 13 September to 11 November. Enjoy a real taste of Durham at the annual Bishop Auckland Food Festival from 2 – 3 October, and Lumiere Durham will be returning to transform Durham City into a night-time wonderland from 11 – 17 November.