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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. st mary the less

    Add St Mary The Less Church to your Itinerary

    St Mary The Less Church

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Durham City

    The Chapel for St John's College, serving part of the small parishes of the Peninsula. Largely rebuilt in 1847, the church incorporates good examples of 17th century woodwork and a rare 13th century sculpture.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for St Mary The Less Church
  2. Causey Arch and Picnic Area

    Add Causey Arch and Picnic Area to your Itinerary

    Causey Arch and Picnic Area

    Type

    Type:

    Picnic Site

    Stanley

    Picnic site which is home to the world’s oldest surviving single arch railway bridge.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Causey Arch and Picnic Area
  3. Chester-le-Street Leisure Centre

    Add Chester-le-Street Leisure Centre to your Itinerary

    Chester-le-Street Leisure Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Leisure / Swimming Pool

    Chester-le-Street

    25 Metre swimming pool, learner pool, swimming lessons and aqua fit. Sauna and steam room, exercise classes, adventure play area, Fitness suite and weights room. Please ring to check times as a session system is currently in operation.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Chester-le-Street Leisure Centre
  4. Garden and exterior of Blackhill and Consett Park

    Add Blackhill and Consett Park to your Itinerary

    Blackhill and Consett Park

    Type

    Type:

    Municipal Park

    Consett

    Blackhill and Consett Park is located in the Blackhill conservation area.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Blackhill and Consett Park
  5. 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
  6. Singer/guitar player

    Add BACCANALIA to your Itinerary

    BACCANALIA

    Type

    Type:

    Festival & Events Organisers

    Bishop Auckland

    Baccanalia produces festivals and events in South Durham, offering premier experiences in social revelry and creative entertainment. We have loads going on from Cultural Festivals to Cabaret Nights with something for everyone.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for BACCANALIA
  7. Cuddle the Alpacas at Hall Hill Farm

    Add Hall Hill Farm to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 687 reviews687 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
  8. Countryside Service Durham County Council

    Add Countryside Service Durham County Council to your Itinerary

    Countryside Service Durham County Council

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor and Wildlife Activity

    Durham

    Durham County Council Countryside Service
    Landscapes shaped by industry, now home to nature reserves and reclaimed railway paths. Guided walks bring the past to life, events and volunteering.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Countryside Service Durham County Council
  9. Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre

    Add Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre to your Itinerary

    Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre is small building of architectural beauty situated in Wheatley Hill cemetery. It houses a permanent exhibition of colliery village life.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre
  10. St Cuthbert's Church North Road

    Add St Cuthbert's North Road to your Itinerary

    St Cuthbert's North Road

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Durham

    Please see website for full list of services and events :- http://cuthbertandaidan.durhamnorthteam.org/​​​​​​​ 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for St Cuthbert's North Road
  11. 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
  12. Fly Fishing Tuition River Eden

    Add The Durham Fly Fishing Company to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 104 reviews104 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. Girl looking through a magnifying glass into a bug pot

    Add RSPB Saltholme to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 496 reviews496 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 Nov 2025to31 Mar 2026Open 09:30 - 16:00
    From:
    1 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 09:30 - 17:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous VisitEngland Gold Accolade 2023VisitEngland Gold Accolade
    More info for RSPB Saltholme
  17. Escape Rooms Durham

    Add Escape Rooms Durham to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 475 reviews475 reviews

    Escape Rooms Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Attraction

    Durham City

    You and your team of up to six people will be locked in a room. You have one hour to solve the puzzles, find the key, and escape!

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for Escape Rooms Durham
  18. Selset Reservoir Trout Fishery

    Add Selset Reservoir Wild Brown Trout Fishery to your Itinerary

    Selset Reservoir Wild Brown Trout Fishery

    Type

    Type:

    Fishery

    Baldersdale

    Selset Reservoir is one of the best wild brown trout fishery in the country offering fantastic scenery of the North Pennine grouse moors.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Mar 2026to30 Sept 2026
    More info for Selset Reservoir Wild Brown Trout Fishery
  19. Walkabout Durham
    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 149 reviews149 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
  20. 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
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