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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. Rock formation and beach

    Add Blackhall Rocks & Cross Gill Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

    Blackhall Rocks & Cross Gill Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Blackhall Colliery

    This coastal site is as important for both its geology and wildlife. The cliffs and coastal area feature natural exposures of reef-limestone, set down 250 million years ago in the waters on the ancient Zechstein Sea, glacial boulder clays and beds…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Blackhall Rocks & Cross Gill Nature Reserve
  2. 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
  3. KAFFEEHAUS

    Add KAFFEEHAUS to your Itinerary

    KAFFEEHAUS

    Type

    Type:

    Food/Drink Producer

    Plawsworth Road, Sacriston

    At KAFFEEHAUS, coffee is more than a drink - it's our world.

    Situated in County Durham, we are a father-daughter founded coffee roastery and training centre dedicated to crafting memorable coffee experiences. We care deeply about our relationships…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for KAFFEEHAUS
  4. The Bowes Museum Durham

    Add A couple's luxury escape to the countryside to your Itinerary

    A couple's luxury escape to the countryside

    Type

    Type:

    Driving Route

    Experience the true treasures of Teesdale as you criss-cross the stunning river valley vistas that meander around the River Tees.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for A couple's luxury escape to the countryside
  5. Footpath through Hawthorn Dene

    Add Hawthorn Dene Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

    Hawthorn Dene Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Hawthorn Village

    The second largest coastal Dene in the county, consisting of relatively unspoilt ancient woodland and species rich limestone hay meadows.  

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Hawthorn Dene Nature Reserve
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. Slices of bread Coghlans at Barningham
Bakery

    Add Coghlans Artisan Bakery to your Itinerary

    Coghlans Artisan Bakery

    Type

    Type:

    Bakery

    Barningham

    Coghlans handmade bread use no preservatives food colours or artificial flavours, just a natural product from yeast flour water and salt.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Coghlans Artisan Bakery
  9. Durham river with views of Durham Cathedral

    Add Characterful Durham Tour to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 175 reviews175 reviews

    Characterful Durham Tour

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Tours

    Durham

    This tour is not just about Durham, the place, but its people and the stories behind them. From Durham's Narnia connection to mining heritage, from saints to a serial killer, this city is full of stories you won't forget.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Characterful Durham Tour
  10. The Magic Corner

    Add The Magic Corner to your Itinerary

    The Magic Corner

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Durham City

    Magician Tom Bolton brings you The Magic Corner!

    The Magic Corner is a custom built magic room and bar located in the heart of Durham.

    In this brand new show like no other, you will experience breathtaking magic no more than a metre away…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for The Magic Corner
  11. 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
  12. Weardale Museum and High House Chapel

    Add Weardale Museum to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 37 reviews37 reviews

    Weardale Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Ireshopeburn

    Small but fascinating volunteer run folk museum with an amazing collection including the beautiful Weardale Tapestry, displays on mining,a mineral collection and the finds from St Botolph's Chapel, Frosterley.Also a display commemorating the lives…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for Weardale Museum
  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. 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
  15. Deer in forest

    Add Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

    Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Peterlee

    Castle Eden Dene is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is home to an extraordinary variety of birds, more than 450 species of plants, and some of our favourite mammals, such as roe deer and fox.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve
  16. 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
  17. 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 2026to2 Aug 2026
    More info for Durham Fringe Festival
  18. St Andrew's Church

    Add St Andrew's Church to your Itinerary

    St Andrew's Church

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Newton Aycliffe

    Ancient ecclesiastical centre. Collection of 2 Saxon crosses dating from the 9thC, Saxon interior and Jacobean pulpit, altar, organ screen and pews.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for St Andrew's Church
  19. 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
  20. Walkabout Durham
    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 156 reviews156 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
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