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You are here > Home > Discover Durham's Great Outdoors > Family time > Family outdoor activities and events

Family outdoor activities and events

Enjoy family activities and events in Durham's great outdoors.

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Number of results: 35

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  1. Hardwick Park at sunset

    Add Hardwick Park to your Itinerary

    Hardwick Park

    Type

    Type:

    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.…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Visit England Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2017Quality Assured Visitor Attraction
    More info for Hardwick Park
  2. deer park auckland palace county durham

    Add Auckland Palace Deer House and Park to your Itinerary

    Auckland Palace Deer House and Park

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Site

    Bishop Auckland

    A charming Gothic Revival 'eyecatcher' built in 1760 in the park of the Bishops of Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Auckland Palace Deer House and Park
  3. Deer in forest

    Add Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

    Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve
  4. Waterfall at Gibson's Cave, situated nearby to Bowlees Visitor Centre

    Add Bowlees Visitor Centre to Gibsons Cave to your Itinerary

    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 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Bowlees Visitor Centre to Gibsons Cave
  5. couple walking on the Durham Heritage Coast

    Add Durham Heritage Coast Walk to your Itinerary

    Durham Heritage Coast Walk

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Durham Heritage Coast Walk
  6. Kids on big chair at Derwent

    Add Derwent Waterside Park to your Itinerary

    Derwent Waterside Park

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor and Wildlife Activity

    Edmunbyers

    Derwent Waterside Park is the perfect place for fun, laughter and the great fresh air with the people you love.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Derwent Waterside Park
  7. Durham Heritage Coast

    Add Durham Heritage Coast to your Itinerary

    Durham Heritage Coast

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Seaham

    Experience the colourful and dramatic landscape of Durham’s Heritage Coast with its beaches, rugged cliffs and magnificent flora and fauna.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Durham Heritage Coast
  8. Autumn hills at North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

    Add North Pennines National Landscape to your Itinerary

    North Pennines National Landscape

    Type

    Type:

    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,…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for North Pennines National Landscape
  9. Deer Park Raby Castle

    Add The Deer Park and Walled Gardens at Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    The Deer Park and Walled Gardens at Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for The Deer Park and Walled Gardens at Raby Castle
  10. Feed the llamas at Adventure Valley

    Add Adventure Valley to your Itinerary

    Adventure Valley

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for Adventure Valley
  11. Lanchester Valley Railway Path (Walking and Cycling Route)

    Add Lanchester Valley Railway Path (Walking and Cycling Route) to your Itinerary

    Lanchester Valley Railway Path (Walking and Cycling Route)

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Lanchester Valley Railway Path (Walking and Cycling Route)
  12. Durham University Botanic Garden

    Add Durham University Botanic Garden to your Itinerary

    Durham University Botanic Garden

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Green Awards Green Tourism Business Scheme - Silver 2015Green Tourism Business Scheme - Silver
    • Visit England Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2017Quality Assured Visitor Attraction
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2016TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for Durham University Botanic Garden
  13. People walking in the woods

    Add Killhope Woodland Walks to your Itinerary

    Killhope Woodland Walks

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Upper Weardale

    The woodland walks are part of a day out at Killhope – two wildlife hides, one accessible hide on the push chair friendly walk.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026
    More info for Killhope Woodland Walks
  14. Hardwick Park: Ranger Fun

    Add Hardwick Park Walking, Cycling and Horse Riding Routes to your Itinerary

    Hardwick Park Walking, Cycling and Horse Riding Routes

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Hardwick Park Walking, Cycling and Horse Riding Routes
  15. Battle of Nevilles Cross Walk Route

    Add Battle of Neville's Cross Walk Route to your Itinerary

    Battle of Neville's Cross Walk Route

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Durham

    It is hoped that this circular walk will help bring to life for you the Battle of Neville's Cross in 1346.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Battle of Neville's Cross Walk Route
  16. Auckland Tower, blue skies

    Add Auckland Tower - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Auckland Tower - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Feb 2025to24 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    From:
    18 Feb 2026to24 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous VisitEngland Gold Accolade 2024VisitEngland Gold Accolade
    • Visit England Visitor Ready 2025Visitor Ready
    • Visit England VisitEngland Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2024VisitEngland Quality Assured Visitor Attraction
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for Auckland Tower - The Auckland Project
  17. Kids on big chair at Derwent

    Add Derwent Waterside Park to your Itinerary

    Derwent Waterside Park

    Type

    Type:

    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

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Derwent Waterside Park
  18. Raby Castle gardens with castle in background

    Add Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to24 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    From:
    1 Jan 2025to24 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    1 Jan 2025to24 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    1 Jan 2025to24 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    From:
    1 Jan 2025to24 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:30
    From:
    1 Mar 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Trip Advisor Travellers Choice 2023 2023Trip Advisor Travellers Choice 2023
    • Green Awards Green Tourism - Silver 2024Green Tourism - Silver
    • Visit England VisitEngland Best Told Story 2024VisitEngland Best Told Story
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  19. Family cycling

    Add Cycling at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Cycling at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    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…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Cycling at Hamsterley Forest
  20. Waterfall at Gibson's Cave, situated nearby to Bowlees Visitor Centre

    Add Bowlees Picnic Area to your Itinerary

    Bowlees Picnic Area

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Bowlees Picnic Area
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