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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. norman cornish  exhibition

    Add The Norman Cornish Art Trail to your Itinerary

    The Norman Cornish Art Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Tour

    Spennymoor

    Covering an approximate distance of 1.5 miles (2.4km) and a moderate 50 mins walk, The Norman Cornish Trail allows you to follow in the artist's footsteps and identify the locations of many of most iconic works.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for The Norman Cornish Art Trail
  2. A track through the trees

    Add Horse Riding at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Horse Riding at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Horse Riding at Hamsterley Forest
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Two people paddleboarding near a weathered lighthouse on a calm sea under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

    Add Adventure Access Seaham to your Itinerary

    Adventure Access Seaham

    Type

    Type:

    Activity Centre

    Seaham Harbour Marina, Seaham

    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

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for Adventure Access Seaham
  6. Map for Discover Brightwater

    Discover Brightwater

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Trail

    The Discover Brightwater Landscape Project is a National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project that aims to reveal, restore and celebrate the heritage of the Brightwater area. This includes its built, natural and cultural heritage.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Discover Brightwater
  7. Two children dressed as Roman soldiers in their armour at Binchester Roman Fort.

    Add Binchester Roman Fort to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 129 reviews129 reviews

    Binchester Roman Fort

    Type

    Type:

    Castle / Fort

    Bishop Auckland

    Remains of Commandant's house and neighbouring bath-house containing one of the best preserved examples of a hypocaust (underfloor heating system) in the whole of Britain.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2026to1 Nov 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Binchester Roman Fort
  8. Auckland Palace exterior with lawn area to foreground

    Add The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 513 reviews513 reviews

    The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Castle / Fort

    Bishop Auckland

    The Auckland Project is unique collection of heritage attractions, galleries, gardens and parkland in Bishop Auckland, at the heart of County Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Feb 2026to24 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous VisitEngland Gold Accolade 2024VisitEngland Gold Accolade
    • 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 The Auckland Project
  9. 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
  10. The Courtyard and Keep of Durham Castle,

    Add Durham Castle to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1411 reviews1411 reviews

    Durham Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Castle / Fort

    Durham City

    Durham Castle is part of the Durham City World Heritage Site. Entrance by guided tour only. Opening can vary - All enquiries re guided tours should be directed Palace Green Library. Telephone 0191 334 2932 or castle.tours@durham.ac.uk.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for Durham Castle
  11. High Force Waterfall

    Add High Force Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1374 reviews1374 reviews

    High Force Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Natural Feature

    Forest in Teesdale

    High Force is one of the most impressive waterfalls in England. The River Tees has been plunging into this gorge for thousands of years but the rocks it reveals are far more ancient – with origins dating back over 300 million yrs.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    1 Nov 2026to31 Mar 2027Open 10:00 - 16:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • 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 High Force Waterfall
  12. The Conscious Self

    The Conscious Self

    Type

    Type:

    Wellness Activity

    Discover The Conscious Self, an immersive wellness business rooted in the heart of nature. At The Conscious Self, we offer transformative retreats, wild sauna experiences, classes, and mindful adventures across County Durham and beyond. Whether…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for The Conscious Self
  13. 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 - 9216 reviews9216 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
  14. The Spa at Wynyard

    Add The Spa at Wynyard to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 195 reviews195 reviews

    The Spa at Wynyard

    Type

    Type:

    Spa and Relaxation

    Wynyard

    Melt away stress and ease worries in the soothing surroundings of our award-winning Spa.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Good Spa Guide 4 Bubble Spa 2017Good Spa Guide 4 Bubble Spa
    More info for The Spa at Wynyard
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. The Auckland Project - No 42 Gallery and Shop

    Add The Auckland Project -  No 42 Gallery and Shop to your Itinerary

    The Auckland Project - No 42 Gallery and Shop

    Type

    Type:

    Gallery

    Bishop Auckland

    No.42 is home to The Auckland Project’s Art, Social History Collection and Future Plans Exhibition. Here you can see some of the intriguing objects and archives that The Auckland Project holds, as well as hearing some of the fascinating oral…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for The Auckland Project - No 42 Gallery and Shop
  18. 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
  19. Woodland Spa

    Woodland Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Spa and Relaxation

    Stanley

    South Causey Inn is proud to announce the launch of The Woodland Spa, a brand-new luxury spa experience set within the breathtaking surroundings of the Beamish Valley.

    Designed to offer a peaceful escape from the everyday, The Woodland Spa…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Woodland Spa
  20. Gruffalo trail at Hamsterley, children activities county Durham. rail and exciting augmented reality app

    Add Gruffalo Sculptures at Hamsterley to your Itinerary

    Gruffalo Sculptures at Hamsterley

    Type

    Type:

    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…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Gruffalo Sculptures at Hamsterley
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