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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. The Plotters Forest Outdoor Adventure Playground at Raby Castle

    Add The Plotters' Forest at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1482 reviews1482 reviews

    The Plotters' Forest at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Adventure Park / Playground

    Staindrop

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

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for The Plotters' Forest at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  2. 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
  3. Take a walk with alpacas at Teesdale Alpacas in the Durham Dales

    Add Alpaca Trekking with Teesdale Alpacas to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 122 reviews122 reviews

    Alpaca Trekking with Teesdale Alpacas

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Tour

    Barnard Castle

    Come for a walk with us and enjoy some stunning Teesdale scenery and make friends with one of our alpacas. Check out our website at www.teesdale-alpacas.co.uk and use our contact form for more information and booking enquiries Thanks !!

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award 2020 2020TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award 2020
    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for Alpaca Trekking with Teesdale Alpacas
  4. 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
  5. Take a walk with alpacas at Teesdale Alpacas in the Durham Dales

    Add Teesdale Alpacas Farm Visits to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 122 reviews122 reviews

    Teesdale Alpacas Farm Visits

    Type

    Type:

    Attraction

    Barnard Castle

    Come for a leisurely wander around our farm and make friends with our wonderful animals.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award 2020 2020TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award 2020
    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for Teesdale Alpacas Farm Visits
  6. Romans on display in the Museum of Archaeology

    Add Museum of Archaeology at Palace Green Library to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 46 reviews46 reviews

    Museum of Archaeology at Palace Green Library

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Durham City

    Much of Durham’s history lies beneath our feet. Sometimes we can catch a glimpse of the past through the unique objects that are uncovered as the result of archaeological excavations, or are unearthed by chance by members of the public.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Museum of Archaeology at Palace Green Library
  7. Birdseye view of The Storied Lands.

    Add Kynren – The Storied Lands to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 2459 reviews2459 reviews

    Kynren – The Storied Lands

    Type

    Type:

    Theme Park

    Bishop Auckland

    Discover an unforgettable day of live shows, immersive experiences and epic storytelling at Kynren – The Storied Lands, opening on 18 July 2026 in Bishop Auckland.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to12 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Kynren – The Storied Lands
  8. Scenic golf course with green fairways a flagstick bunkers and trees at sunset

    Add Sharpley Springs Golf Club to your Itinerary

    Sharpley Springs Golf Club

    Type

    Type:

    Golf Course

    Seaham

    Set in beautiful rolling countryside and boasting panoramic sea views, Sharpley Golf Course, with Driving Range, is an absolute pleasure to play - a challenging Par 71, Sharpley has many unusual water features and established greens.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Sharpley Springs Golf Club
  9. Raby Castle gardens with castle in background

    Add Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1482 reviews1482 reviews

    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 2026to24 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 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
  10. Throne room at Auckland Palace

    Add Auckland Palace  - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Auckland Palace - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Castle / Fort

    Bishop Auckland

    Positioned high above the meandering River Wear, Auckland Palace was once home to the Prince Bishops of Durham, and was the place where they entertained, hunted and worshipped.

    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
    • 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 Auckland Palace - The Auckland Project
  11. Exterior image of The Story, Mount Oswald, from the lawn.

    Add The Story to your Itinerary

    The Story

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    South Road, Durham

    The Story offers a gateway to the history of County Durham and its people. Bringing together our diverse collections of records and objects for the first time, The Story charts thousands of years of everyday life in the county.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for The Story
  12. Image of the 1900s Town Street at Beamish Museum, people waiting to board the tram.

    Add Beamish - The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 9248 reviews9248 reviews

    Beamish - The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Beamish

    Discover an amazing journey through time at Beamish Museum as you travel back in time to the 1820s, early 1900s, 1940s and 1950s and become immersed in real, living history.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Feb 2026to1 Mar 2027Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    28 Mar 2026to23 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous North East England Tourism Awards - Large Visitor Attraction of the Year Award - Highly Commended 2020North East England Tourism Awards - Large Visitor Attraction of the Year Award - Highly Commended
    • Visit England VisitEngland Award for Excellence Bronze 2016VisitEngland Award for Excellence Bronze
    • 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 Beamish - The Living Museum of the North
  13. Women getting a spa treatment

    Add Nu Spa Durham: Radisson Blu Hotel to your Itinerary

    Nu Spa Durham: Radisson Blu Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Spa and Relaxation

    Durham City

    In the centre of Durham, wellness lies at the heart of nu spa.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Nu Spa Durham: Radisson Blu Hotel
  14. Burnhope Reservoir

    Add Burnhope Reservoir to your Itinerary

    Burnhope Reservoir

    Type

    Type:

    Picnic Site

    Wearhead

    Enjoy a peaceful circular walk around this reservoir in Weardale. There's some wonderful woodland trails and lakeside paths to enjoy. It's a very quiet place with a series of picnic tables where you can stop to enjoy the lovely scenery of the North…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Burnhope Reservoir
  15. Selset Reservoir Trout Fishery

    Add Selset Reservoir Wild Brown Trout Fishery to your Itinerary

    Selset Reservoir Wild Brown Trout Fishery

    Type

    Type:

    Fishery

    Baldersdale

    Selset Reservoir is one of the best wild brown trout fishery in the country offering fantastic scenery of the North Pennine grouse moors.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Mar 2026to30 Sept 2026
    More info for Selset Reservoir Wild Brown Trout Fishery
  16. Aerial view of forest.

    Add Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 459 reviews459 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
  17. Telescope at Grassholme Observatory

    Add Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Observatory / Planetarium

    nr Mickleton

    Waterside Parks purpose built observatory, based at Grassholme Reservoir near Barnard Castle, offers you the opportunity to gaze into the vastness and beauty of the universe. Let our lead astronomer guide you to understand the wonders of planets…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Dark Sky Friendly Durham 2020Dark Sky Friendly Durham
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for Grassholme Observatory
  18. external image of Durham Town Hall

    Add Durham Town Hall to your Itinerary

    Durham Town Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Site

    Durham City

    The Town Hall has been central to life in Durham city for more than 650 years.  Learn about the powerful Prince Bishops, the evolution of local government and the historic and ongoing roles of the Mayor and Mayor’s Bodyguard.  Since the 14th Century…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for Durham Town Hall
  19. Durham Heritage Coast

    Add Durham Heritage Coast to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 211 reviews211 reviews

    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 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Durham Heritage Coast
  20. Balderhead Reservoir Trout Fishery

    Add Cow Green Wild Brown Trout Fishery to your Itinerary

    Cow Green Wild Brown Trout Fishery

    Type

    Type:

    Fishery

    Baldersdale

    Cow Green Reservoir is one of the best wild brown trout fishery in the country offering fantastic scenery of the North Pennine grouse moors.

    Dates

    From:
    23 Mar 2026to30 Sept 2026
    More info for Cow Green Wild Brown Trout Fishery
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