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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. Aerial view of Blast Beach

    Add Blast Beach to your Itinerary

    Blast Beach

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Seaham

    The Durham Coast is well known for its spectacular wildflowers. Some of the fields at Blast Beach are among the best places to enjoy them, with plants like bloody cranesbill, dyer’s greenweed and devil’s-bit scabious creating a riot of colour in the…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Blast Beach
  2. Escape Rooms Durham

    Add Escape Rooms Durham to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 477 reviews477 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 'Lily of Lumley' - Escape Rooms Durham at Lumley Castle

    Add Escape Rooms Durham - Lily of Lumley to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 477 reviews477 reviews

    Escape Rooms Durham - Lily of Lumley

    Type

    Type:

    Attraction

    Chester-le-Street

    Lumley Castle holds a secret. For centuries the halls and passageways have been said to be haunted by Lily Of Lumley. You and your team are here to investigate the haunting and solve the mystery. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Escape Rooms Durham - Lily of Lumley
  6. REEL Cinema Bishop Auckland

    Add REEL Cinema Bishop Auckland to your Itinerary

    REEL Cinema Bishop Auckland

    Type

    Type:

    Cinema

    Bishop Auckland

    REEL Cinema Bishop Auckland is officially open, bringing back the magic of the big screen to the town for the first time in over four decades. Located at Bishop Auckland Retail & Leisure Park, this brand-new cinema offers a modern, welcoming space…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for REEL Cinema Bishop Auckland
  7. st johns

    Add St John's Church to your Itinerary

    St John's Church

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Durham

    St John’s draws together people of all ages and backgrounds to follow Christ.  

    Dates

    From:
    10 July 2027to31 Aug 2027
    More info for St John's Church
  8. Hopetown Darlington

    Add Hopetown Darlington to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 573 reviews573 reviews

    Hopetown Darlington

    Type

    Type:

    Railway

    Darlington

    Discover Darlington's story of engineering, ideas and invention. Afterall, we changed the world from here.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Visit England VisitEngland Welcome Award 2026VisitEngland Welcome Award
    • Visit England VisitEngland Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2024VisitEngland Quality Assured Visitor Attraction
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Museum Accreditation 2026Museum Accreditation
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Trip Advisor Travellers Choice Award 2026 2026Trip Advisor Travellers Choice Award 2026
    More info for Hopetown Darlington
  9. St Oswald's Church

    Add St Oswald's Church to your Itinerary

    St Oswald's Church

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Durham

    St Oswald’s is an Anglican church in the centre of the beautiful university and cathedral city of Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for St Oswald's Church
  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. Hesleden Dene woodland walk with woodland flowers

    Add Hesleden Dene Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

    Hesleden Dene Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Hesleden

    The reserve has exceptional natural exposures of magnesian limestone eroded to produce impressive outcrops with many caves and fissures. Hesleden Dene is best visited in spring for the woodland flora and autumn for the fungi and turning leaves.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Hesleden Dene Nature Reserve
  12. Children in Hamsterley Forest searching for stick characters on The Stickman Man Trail. Credit Forestry England Crown Copyright

    Add The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland

    Families can join a new forest adventure as the much-loved character Stick Man, based on the beautiful picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, returns to Forestry England Hamsterley.

    Dates

    More info for The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  13. Closeup of Ken Bradshaw smiling.
    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 40 reviews40 reviews

    Ken Bradshaw - North East Guided Tours

    Type

    Type:

    Blue Badge Guide

    including Durham City and County Durham,

    I am very excited to be able to show you the city and its surroundings using my Blue Badge qualification.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Ken Bradshaw - North East Guided Tours
  14. 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
  15. People holding equipment

    Durham Ghost Walk

    Type

    Type:

    City Tours

    We are a not-for-profit group offering family friendly tours of Durham City for families, genealogists and historians.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Durham Ghost Walk
  16. Screaming Chimp logo

    Add Screaming Chimp Chilli Sauce to your Itinerary

    Screaming Chimp Chilli Sauce

    Type

    Type:

    Food/Drink Producer

    Witton Gilbert

    Here at Screaming Chimp HQ, we think it is important to supply the best product possible, so we only use the best produce for the job.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Screaming Chimp Chilli Sauce
  17. 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
  18. The Tea Enthusiasts
Loose leaf tea
Artisan teas

    Add The Tea Enthusiasts to your Itinerary

    The Tea Enthusiasts

    Type

    Type:

    Food/Drink Producer

    Dipton

    The Tea Enthusiasts have a lot to offer business customers large or small. Our personalised hands-on approach to service means your orders will not only be competitively priced within the market but customised to meet your needs.  Bring your drinks…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for The Tea Enthusiasts
  19. Jan Williams engaging a tour on Palace Green Durham

    Jan Williams - Durham Tours

    Type

    Type:

    Blue Badge Guide

    including Durham City and County Durham,

    Award-winning North East England Blue Badge for the independent traveller and groups. Special interests include “The Northern Saints Trail” in County Durham and guided walks of Durham City (accredited Durham Cathedral guide).

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for Jan Williams - Durham Tours
  20. HYGGE Hot Chocolate

    HYGGE Hot Chocolate

    Type

    Type:

    Food/Drink Producer

    Hot chocolate should be a special moment of deliciousness. It should never be had 'on the go', it should never be rushed. It should be a moment of indulgence that 'hits the spot' and makes you feel warm and fuzzy. A hot chocolate should be one of…

    More info for HYGGE Hot Chocolate
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