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: 27
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Historic Site
Bishop Auckland
A charming Gothic Revival 'eyecatcher' built in 1760 in the park of the Bishops of Durham.
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.


Adventure Park / Playground
Staindrop
The Plotters’ Forest is an immersive outdoor playground located in a magical Christmas Tree Plantation at Raby Castle.

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.

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…
Lake / Reservoir
Edmunbyers
Derwent Waterside Park is the perfect place for fun, laughter and the great fresh air with the people you love. Beautiful walks for all to enjoy
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.
Cycling and Mountain Biking
Bishop Auckland
Hamsterley Forest is one of the Northeast’s premier mountain bike destinations, with over 2000 hectares of forest to explore on 33 miles of waymarked trails and countless more miles of seldom travelled forest road Hamsterley Forest has something for…
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…
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.




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.






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.
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!



Beach
Seaham
Experience the colourful and dramatic landscape of Durham’s Heritage Coast with its beaches, rugged cliffs and magnificent flora and fauna.
Forest
Redford, Hamsterley Forest
Information point and tearoom, forest drive with children's play area. Four mile forest drive runs through the forest giving access to picnic sites along the way.



Adventure Sport Centre
Durham
Adventure Valley Golf – Durham’s only adventure golf course, boasting 18 fun packed holes. Suitable for all ages.

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.




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,…
Picnic Site
Newbiggin
The picnic area is in a sheltered side valley of Teesdale. There are 4 waterfalls in the site and more falls alongside a footpath to Gibson's Cave.
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.…


© Copyright Visit County Durham. All Rights Reserved
Registered Office: Visit County Durham, East Wing, 1st Floor, Corten House, Aykley Heads, Durham, DH1 5TS

