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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. An historic steam train on Tanfield Railway in County Durham.

    Add Tanfield Railway to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 493 reviews493 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
  2. Chapman's Well Local Nature Reserve

    Chapman's Well Local Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Stanley

    Chapman’s Well is one of our best bird-watching sites. The vast areas of marshy grassland and ponds provide fabulous places for birds to feed and breed throughout the year. We have heron, stonechat, skylark, linnet and reed bunting. Many birds of…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Chapman's Well Local Nature Reserve
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. Dalton Moor Farm Owners Jenny and Tom

    Add Dalton Moor - Vegan Fruit Farm to your Itinerary

    Dalton Moor - Vegan Fruit Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Farm Shop

    Dalton le Dale, Seaham

    Vegan Foods and Drinks, hand made from fresh wild and cultivated plants grown right here on the farm.

    From 15th October we will have Pumpkins available for sale, along with a range of pumpkin and hallowe’en related activities, listed on our website…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for Dalton Moor - Vegan Fruit Farm
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. Durham City World Heritage Site
    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 188 reviews188 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
  13. 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 2026to31 Aug 2026
    More info for St John's Church
  14. Low Barns Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre

    Add Low Barns Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 107 reviews107 reviews

    Low Barns Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Witton-le-Wear

    One of our region’s most important wildlife sites, this wetland reserve, bordered by the River Wear, also contains mixed woodlands and species rich grasslands.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Low Barns Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre
  15. Durham river with views of Durham Cathedral

    Add Characterful Durham Tour to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 168 reviews168 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
  16. Hayley Crawshaw dancing whilst wild swimming in the Thames

    Little Blue Pootles - Guided Swim Hikes

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Adventure Activities

    and North East England,

    Tailor made guided wild swimming walks, instant book packaged taster sessions, and shorter wild swim experiences, in the North Pennines, and beyond.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Little Blue Pootles - Guided Swim Hikes
  17. Lord Londonderry Statue

    Add Lord Londonderry Statue to your Itinerary

    Lord Londonderry Statue

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Site

    Durham City

    Raffaele Monti's statue of Charles William Vane Stewart, the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Lord Londonderry Statue
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. Play area at Chester-le-Street Riverside Park Splash Pad

    Add Chester-le-Street Riverside Park Splash Pad to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 130 reviews130 reviews

    Chester-le-Street Riverside Park Splash Pad

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Activity/Pursuit Centre

    Chester-le-Street

    The splash pad is a state-of-the-art play facility which is free to use and suitable for families from toddlers to early teens. It is the only splash pad in County Durham and replaces the old paddling pool.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Chester-le-Street Riverside Park Splash Pad
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