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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 > 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. Historic Tours UK Ltd

    Historic Tours UK Ltd

    Type

    Type:

    City Tours

    including Durham City and County Durham,

    Welcome to Historic Tours UK! Whether you’re a student or a world traveller, I offer historic tours of Durham, Hadrian’s Wall, York. Manchester, and Chester.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Historic Tours UK Ltd
  2. 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 - 126 reviews126 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
  3. Enter CIC

    Add Enter CIC to your Itinerary

    Enter CIC

    Type

    Type:

    Arts Centre

    Dean Bank, Ferryhill

    Producing professional and community theatre of the highest standard.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Enter CIC
  4. Family cycling

    Add Cycling at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Cycling at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Cycling and Mountain Biking

    Bishop Auckland

    Hamsterley Forest is one of the Northeast’s premier mountain bike destinations, with over 2000 hectares of forest to explore on 33 miles of waymarked trails and countless more miles of seldom travelled forest road Hamsterley Forest has something for…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Cycling at Hamsterley Forest
  5. The Garage Spa

    Add The Garage Spa to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 302 reviews302 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
  6. 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
  7. Waterfall at Gibson's Cave, situated nearby to Bowlees Visitor Centre

    Add Bowlees Visitor Centre to Gibsons Cave to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 332 reviews332 reviews

    Bowlees Visitor Centre to Gibsons Cave

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Routes

    Newbiggin

    Centuries ago Viking invaders and settlers left their mark in the local dialect words of the Durham Dales. The Old Norse word “foss” referred to a waterfall and still it echoes down the ages in the modern word “force”. Close to Bowlees Visitor…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Bowlees Visitor Centre to Gibsons Cave
  8. The Castle Chare Fountain

    Add The Castle Chare Fountain to your Itinerary

    The Castle Chare Fountain

    Type

    Type:

    Landmark

    Bishop Auckland

    A 19th century water fountain built by a movement against alcohol has been returned to its former glory as part of a heritage project.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for The Castle Chare Fountain
  9. 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 Aycliffe nature park is wholly owned by Great Aycliffe…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Aycliffe Nature Park
  10. Image of Pelaw Wood overlooking Durham Cathedral in the distance.

    Add Pelaw Wood Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

    Pelaw Wood Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Durham

    Pelaw Wood Nature Reserve is a beautiful woodland home to many varieties of wildlife, with public rights of way providing a range of interesting walks.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Pelaw Wood Nature Reserve
  11. East Durham Heritage and Lifeboat Centre

    Add East Durham Heritage and Lifeboat Centre to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 115 reviews115 reviews

    East Durham Heritage and Lifeboat Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    Seaham

    The East Durham Heritage and Lifeboat Centre displays the historic lifeboat The George Elmy and gives and insight into the rich heritage of the area.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for East Durham Heritage and Lifeboat Centre
  12. Tommy statue at sunset

    Add Eleven-O-One to your Itinerary

    Eleven-O-One

    Type

    Type:

    Public Art

    Seaham

    Tommy is a statue of a Great War soldier by artist Ray Lonsdale. Displayed close to Seaham war memorial, on Terrace Green by the seafront in Seaham, County Durham.  It depicts a First World War soldier, wearing boots, puttees, greatcoat and tin hat,…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Eleven-O-One
  13. Down at the Farm overhead site image

    Add Down at the Farm to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 273 reviews273 reviews

    Down at the Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Farm

    Houghton le Spring

    Outdoor Farm park located in between Durham and Sunderland. Lots of outdoor play areas, bouncy pillows and farm animals to see! Cafe and picnic areas available. Open March - October. Buy your saver tickets online!

    Dates

    From:
    25 Mar 2026to29 Oct 2026
    More info for Down at the Farm
  14. Bishop Auckland Peoples Museum

    Add Bishop Auckland People's Museum to your Itinerary

    Bishop Auckland People's Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    Bishop Auckland

    The People’s Museum is situated in the old Hippodrome.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Bishop Auckland People's Museum
  15. Large indoor swimming pool illuminated.
Dark tiled floor around the pool and 3 green walls at the back in-between sections with wall lights.

    Add Headlam Spa to your Itinerary

    Headlam Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Spa and Relaxation

    Headlam

    Designed to the highest standards for its members, hotel residents and day spa guests, Headlam Spa is a place to relax, exercise and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of water in a comfortable and friendly environment that reflects the beauty of the…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Good Spa Guide 4 Bubble Spa 2017Good Spa Guide 4 Bubble Spa
    More info for Headlam Spa
  16. Apollo Pavilion Peterlee

    Add Apollo Pavilion to your Itinerary

    Apollo Pavilion

    Type

    Type:

    Public Art

    Peterlee

    An iconic example of 1960s public art and designed by Edwin John Victor Pasmore (d. 1998) during his time as consultant Director of urban design for Peterlee Development Corporation.   It was opened in 1969, the same year as the first manned mission…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Apollo Pavilion
  17. External view of Holy Trinity Church, Wingate
Image of the grounds surrounding the church

    Add Holy Trinity, Wingate to your Itinerary

    Holy Trinity, Wingate

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Wingate

    Holy Trinity Church, Wingate was built in 1841, just 2 years after the first shaft was sunk for Wingate Grange Colliery in 1839.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Holy Trinity, Wingate
  18. St Mary's Barnard Castle with Whorlton

    Add St Mary's Barnard Castle with Whorlton to your Itinerary

    St Mary's Barnard Castle with Whorlton

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Barnard Castle

    St. Mary's Barnard Castle with Whorlton is a place of Peace, Worship and Spirituality situated in the Heart of Teesdale.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for St Mary's Barnard Castle with Whorlton
  19. Fly Fishing Tuition River Eden

    Add The Durham Fly Fishing Company to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 105 reviews105 reviews

    The Durham Fly Fishing Company

    Type

    Type:

    Fishing

    Hutton Henry

    Fly Fishing Tuition, Guiding, Lessons, Holidays & Tackle on Rivers & Lakes in County Durham and throughout the North of England.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    • Visit England Visitor Ready 2025Visitor Ready
    More info for The Durham Fly Fishing Company
  20. Cuddle the Alpacas at Hall Hill Farm

    Add Hall Hill Farm to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 694 reviews694 reviews

    Hall Hill Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Farm

    Lanchester

    Award-winning farm attraction set in attractive countryside, see and touch the animals at close quarters. Farm trailer ride, gift shop, tearoom, indoor softplay area picnic and play area.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous National Farm Attraction of the Year Award 2017National  Farm Attraction of the Year Award
    • Visit England VisitEngland Welcome Award 2024VisitEngland Welcome Award
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for Hall Hill Farm
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