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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. Girl looking through a magnifying glass into a bug pot

    Add RSPB Saltholme to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 498 reviews498 reviews

    RSPB Saltholme

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Middlesbrough

    RSPB Saltholme is the perfect place if you’re new to birdwatching or want to get out in nature. Our family-friendly wetlands have a helpful visitor's centre and hides which let you get up close to water rail, avocet and terns, plus a cafe, play area…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 09:30 - 17:00
    From:
    1 Nov 2026to31 Mar 2027Open 09:30 - 16:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous VisitEngland Gold Accolade 2023VisitEngland Gold Accolade
    More info for RSPB Saltholme
  2. 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 - 203 reviews203 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
  3. 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
  4. Countryside Service Durham County Council

    Add Countryside Service Durham County Council to your Itinerary

    Countryside Service Durham County Council

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor and Wildlife Activity

    Durham

    Durham County Council Countryside Service
    Landscapes shaped by industry, now home to nature reserves and reclaimed railway paths. Guided walks bring the past to life, events and volunteering.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Countryside Service Durham County Council
  5. Durham City World Heritage Site
    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 232 reviews232 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
  6. elvet methodist church

    Add Elvet Methodist Church to your Itinerary

    Elvet Methodist Church

    Type

    Type:

    Church / Chapel

    Durham

    Elvet Methodist Church is situated in Old Elvet, three minutes walk east of the market place.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Elvet Methodist Church
  7. Hen & Stag Parties at Adventure Access

    Hen & Stag Parties at Adventure Access

    Type

    Type:

    Stag & Hen Party

    Fancy adding a drop of adventure into your Hen or Stag do? If you're looking for a bit of excitement and competition our Dragon Boat Tournaments are perfect. For those that would like something more relaxing, join us for a journey through Durham…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Hen & Stag Parties at Adventure Access
  8. 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
  9. The Mann's Vegan Scran

    Add The Mann's Vegan Scran to your Itinerary

    The Mann's Vegan Scran

    Type

    Type:

    Bakery

    Market Place, Durham City

    We're a local, family run food pop-up creating a variety of sweet and savoury inclusive foods. Everything is baked in our bakery The Nook, situated in Durham Markets historic indoor market hall.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for The Mann's Vegan Scran
  10. Visitors viewing a locomotive at Hopetown Darlington

    Add Hopetown Darlington to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 548 reviews548 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 2024VisitEngland 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
    More info for Hopetown Darlington
  11. Blue slide at Broom House Forest Adventure.

    Add Broom House Forest Adventure to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 400 reviews400 reviews

    Broom House Forest Adventure

    Type

    Type:

    Attraction

    Near Witton Gilbert

    The Forest Adventure is an action packed family day out. Explore acres of green, leafy woodland, enjoy some fresh air whilst spending a few hours outdoors with family and friends.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for Broom House Forest Adventure
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. Grand Finale all cast of Kynren view from the tribune

    Add Kynren - An Epic Tale of England to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 2395 reviews2395 reviews

    Kynren - An Epic Tale of England

    Type

    Type:

    Event Venue

    Bishop Auckland

    Travel through 2,000 years of history in a single unforgettable evening! Watch as legends come to life – Vikings storm ashore, battles rage, and heroes rise beneath a sky ablaze with magic and fire.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to12 Sept 2026Various Opening Times

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for Kynren - An Epic Tale of England
  16. Beaurepaire Manor House

    Add Beaurepaire Manor House to your Itinerary

    Beaurepaire Manor House

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Site

    Durham

    Ruins of a medieval manor house used as a medieval country retreat for the Priors of Durham. Dates from mid 13th century. .

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for Beaurepaire Manor House
  17. Castle Bank Butchers Stanhope

    Add Castle Bank Butchers Stanhope to your Itinerary

    Castle Bank Butchers Stanhope

    Type

    Type:

    Food/Drink Producer

    Stanhope

    Offering: A Delivery Service

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Castle Bank Butchers Stanhope
  18. 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
  19. View of Seaham Coast from above

    Add Seaham Beach to your Itinerary

    Seaham Beach

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Seaham

    Seaham Beach is a pleasant stretch of rocky and sandy beach, with rocks pools a plenty. The dog-friendly beach stretches for approx. one mile along the town’s coastline, from the harbour wall to the north of the town.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Seaham Beach
  20. 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
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