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    This is Durham Blog

You are here > Home > Inspire Me > Short Break Ideas > Summer Breaks > Things To Do

Things To Do

A host of exciting attractions, activities and amazing things to do in Durham this summer.

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  1. St Giles Church Durham City

    Add St Giles Church to your Itinerary

    St Giles Church

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Gilesgate, Durham

    St. Giles’ has been a place for people to meet and worship for over 900 years. See website for further information about the life of our church, from regular services to special events.  

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for St Giles Church
  2. The Garage Spa

    Add The Garage Spa to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 304 reviews304 reviews

    The Garage Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Spa and Relaxation

    Barnard Castle

    The newly opened destination Garage Spa is set in an historic building, with all the luxury of a first class modern spa and situated in a beautiful area of Teesdale.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Good Spa Guide 5 Bubble Spa 2018Good Spa Guide 5 Bubble Spa
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Good Spa Award 2019Good Spa Award
    More info for The Garage Spa
  3. Raby Memberships

    Add Raby Memberships to your Itinerary

    Raby Memberships

    Type

    Type:

    Buy Online

    Darlington

    If you're planning to be a regular visitor to Raby Estate, it makes perfect sense to buy a Raby Membership. This means you can call in as often as you like - plan visits with the family, or just call in on a whim when you have an hour or two to…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Raby Memberships
  4. Prince Bishop River Cruiser and Browns Rowing Boats

    Add Prince Bishop River Cruiser and Browns Rowing Boats to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 207 reviews207 reviews

    Prince Bishop River Cruiser and Browns Rowing Boats

    Type

    Type:

    Boat Trip

    Durham City

    The Prince Bishop River Cruiser offers cruises with spectacular views of historic Durham City, Cathedral, Castle and Bridges and evening cruises with a difference twelve months of the year.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026
    More info for Prince Bishop River Cruiser and Browns Rowing Boats
  5. Old Durham Gardens

    Add Old Durham Gardens to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 17 reviews17 reviews

    Old Durham Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Garden

    Durham

    Old Durham Gardens can be found less than a mile east of Durham City Centre. The gardens can be reached through a number of walks, including a very pleasant route through Pelaw Woods and provide a charming public space for everyone to enjoy.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for Old Durham Gardens
  6. From left, Bryan Harris, Jack Fahey, Studio; Reuben Kench; Niccy Hallifax; Sarah Price; Paul Shail; Richie Starrs; and Jazmine Vassie.

    Trail of Discovery

    S&DR200 festival has announced the official opening of the Trail of Discovery, a new public walking and cycling route that follows sections of the original 26-mile journey of the world’s first passenger railway—the Stockton & Darlington Railway…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Trail of Discovery
  7. Path surrounded by heather in Hedleyhope Fell

    Add Hedleyhope Fell Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

    Hedleyhope Fell Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Tow Law

    One of the largest mid-altitude heathlands remaining in County Durham, Hedleyhope Fell is a mosaic of heather, bilberry, acid grassland, rush pasture, bracken beds, patches of gorse and scattered trees.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Hedleyhope Fell Nature Reserve
  8. Dark Skies image

    The Rookhope Arch

    Type

    Type:

    Landmark

    A local landmark is the Rookhope Arch at Lintzgarth, a few hundred yards west up the valley; one of the few remaining parts of the 2 miles (3.2 km) Rookhope Chimney. This "horizontal" chimney (parallel to the ground, which actually rises steeply to…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for The Rookhope Arch
  9. Coastline at Horden

    Add Horden Grasslands Local Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

    Horden Grasslands Local Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Horden

    This coastal site has impressive views to the north and south. On a clear day, you will be able to see all the way to North Yorkshire.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Horden Grasslands Local Nature Reserve
  10. METHODIST CHURCH DURHAM

    Add North Road Methodist Church to your Itinerary

    North Road Methodist Church

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Durham

    Grade 2 listed Bethel chapel, which is now a Methodist Church dates back to 1853.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for North Road Methodist Church
  11. Moor House Activity Centre

    Add Moor House Activity Centre to your Itinerary

    Moor House Activity Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Activity Centre

    Houghton-le-Spring

    We provide tailor made outdoor education solutions for everyone.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Moor House Activity Centre
  12. Exterior view of The EDAN Gallery

    Add The EDAN Gallery to your Itinerary

    The EDAN Gallery

    Type

    Type:

    Gallery

    Seaham

    The EDAN Gallery is the only dedicated art gallery in East Durham. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for The EDAN Gallery
  13. Crowds of people enjoying the Durham Fringe Festival on Palace Green, Durham City.

    Add Durham Fringe Festival to your Itinerary

    Durham Fringe Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival & Events Organisers

    Durham

    The 2026 Durham Fringe Festival will return 29th July - 2nd August.  The North East's biggest recognised fringe festival – featuring the best in dance, drama, magic, music, poetry, stand-up comedy and more. 

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2027to2 Aug 2027
    More info for Durham Fringe Festival
  14. Hen and Stag Parties at Prince Bishop River Cruiser

    Add Hen and Stag Parties at Prince Bishop River Cruiser to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 207 reviews207 reviews

    Hen and Stag Parties at Prince Bishop River Cruiser

    Type

    Type:

    Stag & Hen Party

    Durham City

    For a bespoke party night to remember in Durham's most individual venue, The Prince Bishop is an ideal venue for your stag or hen party

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Hen and Stag Parties at Prince Bishop River Cruiser
  15. 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 - 127 reviews127 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 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre
  16. Shop front

    Add Circle Vintage Durham to your Itinerary

    Circle Vintage Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Second-hand / Vintage Shop

    Durham City

    Circle Vintage is a small, local family business, housed in a beautiful listed building on Saddler Street. Born from a nostalgic love of collecting, the store showcases Durham City’s  largest collection of true vintage, retro and pre-loved designer…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Circle Vintage Durham
  17. Walkabout Durham
    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 181 reviews181 reviews

    Walkabout Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Tours

    Durham City

    Welcome to Walkabout Durham! I am Peter, your guide, and I have developed six guided walking tours to help you discover the rich history of this beautiful, 1000 year old city. Also, I am launching a new range of private North East tours- providing…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Walkabout Durham
  18. St Margaret of Antioch Church

    Add St Margaret of Antioch Church to your Itinerary

    St Margaret of Antioch Church

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Durham

    St Margaret of Antioch: a friendly parish church in the heart of Durham. Over many centuries St Margaret’s has welcomed countless wanderers and pilgrims in the name of Christ.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for St Margaret of Antioch Church
  19. Girl looking through a magnifying glass into a bug pot

    Add RSPB Saltholme to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 502 reviews502 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 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 09:30 - 17:00
    From:
    1 Nov 2026to31 Mar 2027Open 09:30 - 16:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous VisitEngland Gold Accolade 2023VisitEngland Gold Accolade
    More info for RSPB Saltholme
  20. Beaurepaire Manor House

    Add Beaurepaire Manor House to your Itinerary

    Beaurepaire Manor House

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Site

    Durham

    Ruins of a medieval manor house used as a medieval country retreat for the Priors of Durham. Dates from mid 13th century. .

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for Beaurepaire Manor House
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