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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 > Discover Durham's Great Outdoors > Getting back to nature > Wildlife activities and events

Wildlife activities and events

There's lots of wild and wonderful places to explore the county's natural beauty and wildlife.

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  1. view of Durham Cathedral from River Wear

    Add Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 7266 reviews7266 reviews

    Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Cathedral / Minister

    Durham City

    Thought by many to be the finest example of Norman church architecture in England, with the tombs of St Cuthbert and The Venerable Bede. Please check opening times before travelling.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for Durham Cathedral
  2. 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 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for North Pennines National Landscape
  3. Chester-le-Street Riverside Park

    Add Chester-le-Street Riverside Park to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 130 reviews130 reviews

    Chester-le-Street Riverside Park

    Type

    Type:

    Municipal Park

    Chester-le-Street

    Created in the 1930s, Riverside Park has always been popular with visitors. It was redeveloped in the 1990s and now includes artist-designed ornamental gardens, an events arena, play area and a park centre with cafe and toilets.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2016TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
    More info for Chester-le-Street Riverside Park
  4. A group of people wearing life jackets paddling a dragon boat on a river, with an old stone arched bridge and riverside buildings in the background.

    Add Adventure Access Durham City to your Itinerary

    Adventure Access Durham City

    Type

    Type:

    Watersports Centre

    Old Elvet, Durham

    Adventure Access is an outdoor activities company that delivers water sports at two sites in County Durham. We are a community interest company that prides itself on making paddle sports accessible to everyone.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Adventure Access Durham City
  5. coached sports session Durham city Wharton park family fun

    Add Wharton Park to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 89 reviews89 reviews

    Wharton Park

    Type

    Type:

    Municipal Park

    Durham City

    This VisitEngland accredited attraction Wharton Park commands spectacular views across Durham City. The historic park now offers a brand new heritage centre and cafe, play area for all ages, an amphitheatre and miniature car track, multi-use games…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for Wharton Park
  6. Walking in the North Pennines

    Add Walking in the North Pennines to your Itinerary

    Walking in the North Pennines

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Stanhope

    The North Pennines have a vast rights of way network, including the Pennine Way National Trail, numerous circular walks and large areas of open access land making it a great place to go for a walk.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Walking in the North Pennines
  7. An arch at night

    Add Stargazing in the North Pennines to your Itinerary

    Stargazing in the North Pennines

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor and Wildlife Activity

    Stanhope

    Some of the darkest skies in England are found in the North Pennines. Much of the area is remote, wild countryside with little development and the views of the night sky are second to none.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Stargazing in the North Pennines
  8. External view of the Mining Art Gallery

    Add Mining Art Gallery - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Mining Art Gallery - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Gallery

    Bishop Auckland

    With three permanent rooms and one temporary exhibition space on the ground floor, the gallery explores working life in the coal mines through original artefacts and artworks by prominent mining artists such as Tom McGuinness and Norman Cornish.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Feb 2026to24 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

    Awards

    • Visit England Visitor Ready 2025Visitor Ready
    • 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 Mining Art Gallery - The Auckland Project
  9. 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 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Bowlees Picnic Area
  10. 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:
    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
  11. Grassholme Reservoir Trout Fishery

    Add Grassholme Waterside Park Fishery to your Itinerary

    Grassholme Waterside Park Fishery

    Type

    Type:

    Fishing

    Mickleton

    Grassholme Waterside Park offers fishing in beautiful surroundings for fly and bait anglers. The fishery enjoys lots of open space and is well stocked with rainbow trout.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Mar 2026to31 Oct 2026
    More info for Grassholme Waterside Park Fishery
  12. Sharpley Springs Fishery

    Add Sharpley Springs Fly Fishery to your Itinerary

    Sharpley Springs Fly Fishery

    Type

    Type:

    Fishing

    Seaham

    Located in the beautiful Seaham countryside, our spring water fishery provides a scenic and tranquil location for anglers to enjoy fly fishing with a variety of blue, brown and rainbow trout stocked lakes.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Sharpley Springs Fly Fishery
  13. Aerial view of forest.

    Add Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 457 reviews457 reviews

    Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Visit England Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2017Quality Assured Visitor Attraction
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2016TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
    More info for Hamsterley Forest
  14. Spennymoor Town Hall Bob Abley Art Gallery

    Add Spennymoor Town Council to your Itinerary

    Spennymoor Town Council

    Type

    Type:

    Gallery

    Spennymoor

    The Gallery houses a permanent collection of art, including paintings by Norman Cornish, as well as being host to at least six exhibitions a year.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for Spennymoor Town Council
  15. Bowlees

    Add Bowlees Visitor Centre to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 332 reviews332 reviews

    Bowlees Visitor Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    Newbiggin

    Situated amidst stunning woodland, near to Low and High Force waterfalls and surrounded by rolling fields that boast some of the best hay meadows in England, Bowlees Visitor Centre has all you need to make your visit to the North Pennines National…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Mar 2026to29 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous North East England Tourism Awards - Small Visitor Attraction of the Year Award - Gold 2016North East England Tourism Awards - Small Visitor Attraction of the Year Award - Gold
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2019TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
    • Visit England Visitor Ready 2025Visitor Ready
    More info for Bowlees Visitor Centre
  16. Woman with child looking at App on a mobile phone, forest setting

    Add Dinosaur Safari at Wharton Park to your Itinerary

    Dinosaur Safari at Wharton Park

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Durham City

    Visitors to Wharton Park in Durham City can enjoy new and exciting adventures with the launch of an interactive mobile app, a free app which can be downloaded for both Android and iPhone.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Dinosaur Safari at Wharton Park
  17. deer park auckland palace county durham

    Add Auckland Palace Deer House and Park to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 7 reviews7 reviews

    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 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Auckland Palace Deer House and Park
  18. A sheep with a black woolly nose popping its head through a fence

    Add The Paddocks to your Itinerary

    The Paddocks

    Type

    Type:

    Farm

    Bishop Auckland

    Step into nature’s playground, with over 50 animals to interact with and feed in a relaxing environment.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for The Paddocks
  19. 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 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Derwent Waterside Park
  20. Hardwick Park at sunset

    Add Hardwick Park to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 483 reviews483 reviews

    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 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Visit England Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2017Quality Assured Visitor Attraction
    More info for Hardwick Park
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