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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. St Brandon's Church

    Add St Brandon's Church to your Itinerary

    St Brandon's Church

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Brancepeth

    St Brandon's Church is set in the beautiful village of Brancepeth, having been recently restored after a devastating fire in 1998. As well as being the Parish Church for the Brancepeth area it is also available for use as a concert venue.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for St Brandon's Church
  2. A Witch and a cat riding a broom.  Room on the Broom © 2001 Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

    Add Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Bedburn, Hamsterley Forest

    This interactive family trail is packed with Room on the Broom themed activities, fascinating forest facts and plenty of hands-on fun. 

    Dates

    From:
    28 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Map of Bishop Auckland/Brandon Loop Cycle Route

    Add Bishop Auckland/Brandon Loop Cycle Route to your Itinerary

    Bishop Auckland/Brandon Loop Cycle Route

    Type

    Type:

    Cycle Route

    A688, Bishop Auckland

    Bishop Auckland/Brandon Loop is a 17 mile intermediate cycle route, mostly off-road. It is marked on the Durham County Council South Durham Cycle Map as CDS3.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Bishop Auckland/Brandon Loop Cycle Route
  6. Durham Cathedral

    Add Camino Inglés – the English Way: Walking Route to your Itinerary

    Camino Inglés – the English Way: Walking Route

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Durham

    The walk from Finchale Abbey to Durham Cathedral, and beyond to Escomb Church, south of Bishop Auckland, is now officially recognised as part of the Camino Inglés – the English Way.

    The walk forges connections between Durham and the Camino…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Camino Inglés – the English Way: Walking Route
  7. Durham City World Heritage Site
    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 257 reviews257 reviews

    Newcastle Tour Company

    Type

    Type:

    Guiding Company

    including Durham City and County Durham,

    Discover our award-winning tours to North East England - explore Newcastle, Durham, Hadrian's Wall , Alnwick Castle, Holy Island or Northumberland National Park with us!

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for Newcastle Tour Company
  8. North Pennines in Autumn

    Add Picnic Spot: Rookhope to your Itinerary

    Picnic Spot: Rookhope

    Type

    Type:

    Picnic Site

    Bishop Auckland

    It is always worthwhile turning off any of County Durham’s main roads to discover unexpected delights. None more so than in Weardale where in the village of Eastgate (west of Stanhope) a turning leads to the village of Rookhope and one of Durham’s…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Picnic Spot: Rookhope
  9. Garden centre

    Add Congburn Nurseries & Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Congburn Nurseries & Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Garden Centre

    Edmondsley

    A one-stop-shop for all your gardening needs as well as our stunning woodland walk which extends over 15 acres, and our very popular Woodland's Bistro and Venue.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Congburn Nurseries & Garden Centre
  10. 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
  11. 2 children in life vests and safety helmets jumping from some rocks into a river with a small waterfall below them

    Add Weardale Adventures to your Itinerary

    Weardale Adventures

    Type

    Type:

    Activity Centre

    Ireshopeburn

    Weardale Adventure Centre offers fun and learning in an area of outstanding natural beauty in County Durham. The centre caters for adults, schools and groups and our experienced and qualified team ensure our guests create memories that last for a…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for Weardale Adventures
  12. 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
  13. Beach banks at Horden

    Add Limekiln Gill Local Nature Reserve Walk to your Itinerary

    Limekiln Gill Local Nature Reserve Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Limekiln Gill is a Local Nature Reserve which is UK Woodland Assurance Scheme certified and a Special Area of Conservation within Durham Heritage Coast.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Limekiln Gill Local Nature Reserve Walk
  14. 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)
  15. The Retreat Spa Redworth Hall

    Add The Retreat at Redworth Hall to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 476 reviews476 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. View of Nose's Point

    Add Nose’s Point Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

    Nose’s Point Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Near Seaham

    The sea has played a key role in the way Nose’s Point looks and the plants and animals found here, the magnesian limestone bedrock, laid down in an ancient sea, has given rise to a rare form of grassland with unique populations of plants and animals…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Nose’s Point Nature Reserve
  19. St Cuthbert's Church

    Add St Cuthbert's Catholic Church to your Itinerary

    St Cuthbert's Catholic Church

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Durham

    St Cuthbert's Church is a Roman Catholic parish church in Durham, England. It was opened on 31 May 1827 to replace two previous chapels, one run by the secular clergy and the other by the Jesuits

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for St Cuthbert's Catholic Church
  20. 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
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