Things to Do in Durham
Planning Your Trip
Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.
To build your own Itinerary, click to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
You are here > Home > Discover Durham's Great Outdoors > Family time > Family outdoor activities and events
Enjoy family activities and events in Durham's great outdoors.
Number of results: 35
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Walking Route
Seaham
The clifftop coastal footpath of Durham's Heritage Coast is a treat for nature lovers. This once coal scarred landscape has been lovingly restored to thriving coastal grassland, home to wild flora and fauna and with beautiful views.
Botanic Garden
Durham City
Set in countryside and mature woodland. Plant collections from North America, Himalayas and China, glasshouse rainforest and desert plants. Six Colin Wilbourne sculptures in landscaped garden.
Historic Site
Bishop Auckland
A charming Gothic Revival 'eyecatcher' built in 1760 in the park of the Bishops of Durham.
Adventure Park / Playground
Staindrop
The Plotters’ Forest is an immersive outdoor playground located in a magical Christmas Tree Plantation at Raby Castle.
Theme Park
Brasside, Durham
Discover a world of family adventures at Adventure Valley, the North East’s biggest family adventure park, with over 50 attractions, activities and shows.
Horse Riding
Bishop Auckland
Enjoy miles of waymarked horse-riding routes that let you explore the heart of this beautiful forest. Please note, dedicated horse box parking is located in the Grove car park, 2 miles along the Forest Drive from the Bedburn entrance.
Heritage / Visitor Centre
Bishop Auckland
Auckland Tower is the perfect place to get a feel for The Auckland Project, the stunning setting, and to pick up everything you’ll need for your day of exploration.
Historic House / Palace
Durham
Ushaw is set in the beautiful Durham countryside and houses architectural gems by the Pugin family. This amazing venue offers a wide variety of activities, events and exhibitions - something for all ages!
Walking
Hamsterley Forest
Gruffalo Orienteering - fun family map reading challenge
Try our fun, navigational challenge at Hamsterley Forest using a simple map to find twelve Gruffalo markers hidden in the deep, dark wood.
If you're feeling competitive, choose to run, walk…
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…
Walking Routes
The North Pennines National Landscape incorporates much of the Durham Dales, and is a stunning landscape of open heather moors, dramatic dales, tumbling upland rivers, wonderful woods, close-knit communities, glorious waterfalls, fantastic birds,…
Fishing
Edmundbyers
Derwent Waterside Park offers fishing in beautiful surroundings for fly and bait anglers. The fishery enjoys lots of open space and is well stocked from its own fish farm.
Beach
Seaham
Experience the colourful and dramatic landscape of Durham’s Heritage Coast with its beaches, rugged cliffs and magnificent flora and fauna.
Walking Route
Sedgefield
A 1 mile historical circuit walk, a 1.4 mile circular cycle route and a 0.5 mile horse-riding route around the scenic Hardwick Park Country Park.
Outdoor and Wildlife Activity
Darlington
Spend time in nature and watch the seasons change in Raby Castle’s stunning Deer Park and Walled Gardens, which are open to visitors from 10am - 4pm every day.
Parkland / Woodland Garden
Sedgefield
This VisitEngland accredited attraction is an 18th Century parkland featuring beautiful views, rich heritage, archaeological remains and ecological diversity - a remarkable place to visit. The park is open daily with events held throughout the year.…
Castle / Fort
Staindrop
Welcome to Raby Castle, Park and Gardens. A stunning complete medieval castle in County Durham with a fascinating history and stories to tell.
Walking Route
Turn at Stonebridge roundabout onto B6302 to Ushaw Moor, Entrance is signed 0.5 miles on the left
A 12 mile route from Broompark Picnic Site, just outside Durham City to Consett, running past Bearpark, Langley Park, Lanchester and Knitsley.
Nature Reserve
Peterlee
Castle Eden Dene is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is home to an extraordinary variety of birds, more than 450 species of plants, and some of our favourite mammals, such as roe deer and fox.
Walking Route
Edmundbyers
Discover the wildlife and history of Derwent Reservoir along the multi user trail while taking in the breathtaking views of the reservoir.
© Copyright Visit County Durham. All Rights Reserved
Registered Office: Visit County Durham, East Wing, 1st Floor, Corten House, Aykley Heads, Durham, DH1 5TS