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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. Meeting of the Waters

    Add Meeting of the Waters at Abbey Bridge to your Itinerary

    Meeting of the Waters at Abbey Bridge

    Type

    Type:

    Viewpoint

    Barnard Castle

    The Rivers Tees and Greta join together at a local beauty spot called “The Meeting of the Waters” not far from the elegant Rokeby Hall and Gardens in Teesdale. The Teesdale Way public footpath can be accessed on the south side of Abbey Bridge…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Meeting of the Waters at Abbey Bridge
  2. 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
  3. View of the golf course with a golfer in the distance. A sand bunker to the right and tree in the distance.

    Add Golf at Headlam Hall Country Hotel to your Itinerary

    Golf at Headlam Hall Country Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Golf Course

    Gainford

    Located in the Durham dales in the North East, and set over rolling pastureland around the Hall gardens this enjoyable and challenging course features an abundance of natural features including rig & fur, woodland, streams and ponds.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for Golf at Headlam Hall Country Hotel
  4. Old Durham Gardens

    Add Old Durham Gardens to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 17 reviews17 reviews

    Old Durham Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Garden

    Durham

    Old Durham Gardens can be found less than a mile east of Durham City Centre. The gardens can be reached through a number of walks, including a very pleasant route through Pelaw Woods and provide a charming public space for everyone to enjoy.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for Old Durham Gardens
  5. High Force Waterfall Durham

    Add Castles and Cascades to your Itinerary

    Castles and Cascades

    Type

    Type:

    Driving Route

    Durham is home to some of the country’s most historic castles, iconic abbeys and landmarks. Take a step back in time with this tailor-made itinerary, discovering the dramatic castles and cascading landscapes across the county.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Castles and Cascades
  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. Slices of bread Coghlans at Barningham
Bakery

    Add Coghlans Artisan Bakery to your Itinerary

    Coghlans Artisan Bakery

    Type

    Type:

    Bakery

    Barningham

    Coghlans handmade bread use no preservatives food colours or artificial flavours, just a natural product from yeast flour water and salt.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Coghlans Artisan Bakery
  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. 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
  10. 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
  11. Fishing at Finchale Abbey Park

    Add Fishing at Finchale Abbey Park to your Itinerary

    Fishing at Finchale Abbey Park

    Type

    Type:

    Fishery

    Durham

    Two mile stretch of the river Wear, 1 mile either side of the Abbey, access above abbey is by the river bank and below abbey by a road way leading to various points of easy access to the river bank.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for Fishing at Finchale Abbey Park
  12. Prince Bishop River Cruiser and Browns Rowing Boats

    Add Prince Bishop River Cruiser and Browns Rowing Boats to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 201 reviews201 reviews

    Prince Bishop River Cruiser and Browns Rowing Boats

    Type

    Type:

    Boat Trip

    Durham City

    The Prince Bishop River Cruiser offers cruises with spectacular views of historic Durham City, Cathedral, Castle and Bridges and evening cruises with a difference twelve months of the year.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026
    More info for Prince Bishop River Cruiser and Browns Rowing Boats
  13. Blue Badge Guide David Waite of Guiding You Ltd

    Guiding You Ltd

    Type

    Type:

    Scenic Tours

    including Durham City and County Durham,

    We create and provide guided sightseeing tours by car, coach, on foot; educational, familiarisation, study tours, partner programmes, tour design and planning, visitor & conference services, talks & presentations, heritage guide & speaker training.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Guiding You Ltd
  14. 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
  15. Selset Reservoir Trout Fishery

    Add Selset Reservoir Wild Brown Trout Fishery to your Itinerary

    Selset Reservoir Wild Brown Trout Fishery

    Type

    Type:

    Fishery

    Baldersdale

    Selset Reservoir is one of the best wild brown trout fishery in the country offering fantastic scenery of the North Pennine grouse moors.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Mar 2026to30 Sept 2026
    More info for Selset Reservoir Wild Brown Trout Fishery
  16. Closeup of Ken Bradshaw smiling.
    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 39 reviews39 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
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