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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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    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. Honeycomb

    Add The Canny Candy Gadgies to your Itinerary

    The Canny Candy Gadgies

    Type

    Type:

    Independent Shop / Local

    Seaham

    The Canny Candy Gadgies is a third generation, family, confectionery business on the heritage coast.

    We are a fast growing, light hearted brand with a product portfolio of the highest quality, handcrafted, value for money, artisan confectionery…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for The Canny Candy Gadgies
  2. Picnic Spot: Waldridge Fell (cycling not permitted)

    Add Picnic Spot: Waldridge Fell (cycling not permitted) to your Itinerary

    Picnic Spot: Waldridge Fell (cycling not permitted)

    Type

    Type:

    Picnic Site

    Chester Le Street

    There is no need to travel to the North Pennine hills to enjoy moorland. Waldridge Fell is an unusual landscape to find so close to an urban area but with its mix of rare lowland heath supporting heather and bilberry it makes for a particularly…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Picnic Spot: Waldridge Fell (cycling not permitted)
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Beamish Museum

    Add A family friendly historic break in Durham to your Itinerary

    A family friendly historic break in Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Driving Route

    Looking for a historic break full of fun, facts and fantasy with the kids? Look no further than a family-friendly historic break in Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for A family friendly historic break in Durham
  6. 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
  7. Durham Cathedral Tower

    Add Durham Cathedral: Viewpoint to your Itinerary

    Durham Cathedral: Viewpoint

    Type

    Type:

    Viewpoint

    Durham

    Far fewer people will have enjoyed an equally impressive view from South Street in the city centre. A short, steep climb up this lovely street is rewarded by an almost eye level view across the river gorge towards the magnificently proportioned west…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Durham Cathedral: Viewpoint
  8. Wallace and Gromit characters. Copyright and TM Aardman/Wallace & Gromit Ltd 2024  All rights reserved

    Add Forest Walkies with Wallace and Gromit at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Forest Walkies with Wallace and Gromit at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Tour

    Redford, Hamsterley Forest

    Join Wallace and Gromit for the ultimate forest walkies.

    Bond with your pooch by taking on dog-tastic challenges together, solve crossword clues and have lots of fun along the way – with everyone’s favourite dog and owner duo for company.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Forest Walkies with Wallace and Gromit at Hamsterley Forest
  9. Sweet Sally Cinnamon 
 artisan confectionery maker

    Sweet Sally Cinnamon - artisan confectionery maker

    Type

    Type:

    Buy Online

    Waterhouses

    Fresh handmade cinder toffee, fudge, brittle, hot chocolate spoons and baking mixes are produced by Sweet Sally Cinnamon for supply to farm shops, gift shops.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Sweet Sally Cinnamon - artisan confectionery maker
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. Broom House Farm Shop entrance.

    Add Broom House Farm Shop to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 397 reviews397 reviews

    Broom House Farm Shop

    Type

    Type:

    Farm Shop

    Near Witton Gilbert

    Broom House Farm is an organic farm situated high above the Browney River, overlooking Durham City. Since opening in 2004, the Farm Shop’s core aim remains selling their very own Aberdeen Angus beef, lamb, mutton and rare breed Saddleback pork,…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for Broom House Farm Shop
  14. 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
  15. Replica mine shaft overlooking the sea

    Add Easington Colliery Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

    Easington Colliery Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Near Easington Colliery

    The site of the former Easington Colliery has been designated as a local nature reserve and has good car parking facilities very close to the coastal footpath.  

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Easington Colliery Nature Reserve
  16. An historic steam train on Tanfield Railway in County Durham.

    Add Tanfield Railway to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 507 reviews507 reviews

    Tanfield Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Railway

    Tanfield

    Oldest existing railway in the world, opened 1725. Steam-hauled passenger trains, vintage carriages, 61 locomotives and steam-driven vintage workshop. Please see website for dates and operating times.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Trip Advisor Travellers Choice 2023 2023Trip Advisor Travellers Choice 2023
    More info for Tanfield Railway
  17. Stall at Market Place at The HUB

    Add The HUB Market Place to your Itinerary

    The HUB Market Place

    Type

    Type:

    Independent Shop / Local

    Consett

    Shop local at The HUB Consett with over 65 stockists to choose from selling everything from food and drink to crafts, homeware, and jewelry. The quality and selection available is phenomenal. All of the stockists are small and micro North East based…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for The HUB Market Place
  18. 1st edition gin

    Add WL Distillery to your Itinerary

    WL Distillery

    Type

    Type:

    Food/Drink Producer

    WL Distillery is a North East based Gin Distillery, combining our passion for gin and the great outdoors by creating authentic tasting gins made with specially selected ingredients

    Our recently released First Edition Gin inspired by our…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for WL Distillery
  19. 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
  20. The Retreat Spa Redworth Hall

    Add The Retreat at Redworth Hall to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 472 reviews472 reviews

    The Retreat at Redworth Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Spa and Relaxation

    Newton Aycliffe

    Set in the heart of County Durham, The Retreat at Redworth Hall Hotel has undergone an incredible refurbishment programme, designed to significantly enhance its facilities and promote an aura of relaxation.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    • Green Awards Green Tourism - Silver 2024Green Tourism - Silver
    More info for The Retreat at Redworth Hall
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