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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. From left, Bryan Harris, Jack Fahey, Studio; Reuben Kench; Niccy Hallifax; Sarah Price; Paul Shail; Richie Starrs; and Jazmine Vassie.

    Trail of Discovery

    S&DR200 festival has announced the official opening of the Trail of Discovery, a new public walking and cycling route that follows sections of the original 26-mile journey of the world’s first passenger railway—the Stockton & Darlington Railway…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Trail of Discovery
  2. The Witham lit up at night

    Add The Witham to your Itinerary

    The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Arts Centre

    Barnard Castle

    The Witham is a community venue for theatre, music, art and social events, facilities range from the architecturally award-winning café bar to a fully-renovated Victorian music hall.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2019TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for The Witham
  3. Durham river with views of Durham Cathedral

    Add Characterful Durham Tour to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 179 reviews179 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
  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. 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
  6. '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 - 476 reviews476 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
  7. 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
  8. William Peat Butchers

    Add William Peat Butchers to your Itinerary

    William Peat Butchers

    Type

    Type:

    Food/Drink Producer

    Barnard Castle

    Teesdale's oldest and finest butchers selling local beef and lamb and Yorkshire pork and chicken.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for William Peat Butchers
  9. Perennial Touring - Heather McFall Blue Badge Tour Guide

    Perennial Touring - Heather McFall Blue Badge Tour Guide

    Type

    Type:

    Blue Badge Guide

    including Durham City, Durham Cathedral, Teesdale rural heritage and the industrial heritage of Weardale',

    I offer a friendly, professional, comprehensive tour service and deliver this with enthusiasm and fun. This also includes Durham University Colleges and Campus Orientation Tours.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for Perennial Touring - Heather McFall Blue Badge Tour Guide
  10. West Park

    Add West Park to your Itinerary

    West Park

    Type

    Type:

    Parkland / Woodland Garden

    Newton Aycliffe

    West Park is situated next to Ashfield and Oakfield. Apart from a large recreation area it has a large man-made lake which is home during the day to various wild fowl. There are picnic benches situated around the sides of the bottom lake.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for West Park
  11. 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
  12. Our Lady of Mercy and St Godric Church

    Add Our Lady of Mercy and St Godric Church to your Itinerary

    Our Lady of Mercy and St Godric Church

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Durham

    The Church of Our Lady of Mercy and St. Godric is our Grade II listed church, conveniently located in Durham City Centre.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Our Lady of Mercy and St Godric Church
  13. Pow Hill Country Park

    Add Pow Hill Country Park to your Itinerary

    Pow Hill Country Park

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Edmundbyers

    A moorland country park on the banks of the Derwent Reservoir.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Pow Hill Country Park
  14. Durham Presbyterian Church

    Add Durham Presbyterian Church to your Itinerary

    Durham Presbyterian Church

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Durham

    Bible-based preaching in a warm and friendly atmosphere. In the evening, after the second service, there is an opportunity to ask questions in an informal setting over tea in a member’s home. Please do join us, we’d love to see you at any of our…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Durham Presbyterian Church
  15. Durham City World Heritage Site
    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 238 reviews238 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. In Our Image Sculpture by Joseph Hillier

    Add Sculpture: In Our Image to your Itinerary

    Sculpture: In Our Image

    Type

    Type:

    Public Art

    NEWTON AYCLIFFE

     Designed by artist Joseph Hillier, In Our Image is a landmark designed to represent the industrial heritage of the area.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Sculpture: In Our Image
  19. Waddington Street United Reformed Church

    Add Waddington Street United Reformed Church to your Itinerary

    Waddington Street United Reformed Church

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Durham

    A congregation made up of all sorts of people from Durham and the surrounding area. We meet to worship God, to share fellowship, and to try to live out God's mission in the world.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Waddington Street United Reformed Church
  20. Manor Spa pool

    Add The Manor House Hotel Spa to your Itinerary

    The Manor House Hotel Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Spa and Relaxation

    Bishop Auckland

    At The Manor Spa, we believe It's All About You, which is why our spa days and spa breaks are tailored to your needs. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Good Spa Guide 5 Bubble Spa 2024Good Spa Guide 5 Bubble Spa
    • Visit England Visitor Ready 2025Visitor Ready
    More info for The Manor House Hotel Spa
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