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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. Grandad and Granddaughter looking at Locomotion

    Add Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1238 reviews1238 reviews

    Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Shildon

    Explore 200 years of railway history in the world’s first railway town at Locomotion, Europe’s largest undercover collection of heritage railway vehicles.

    Dates

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

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous North East England Tourism Awards - Tourism Event of the Year - Bronze 2014North East England Tourism Awards - Tourism Event of the Year - Bronze
    • Visit England Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2017Quality Assured Visitor Attraction
    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    • 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 Locomotion
  2. 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
  3. Exterior seating of cafe

    Add Bishop Auckland Town Hall to your Itinerary

    Bishop Auckland Town Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Gallery

    Bishop Auckland

    Bishop Auckland Town Hall is a multi-purpose cultural venue situated in Bishop Auckland market place. It offers regular art exhibitions, live music, theatre and films as well as a café and library with free internet access and local history…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for Bishop Auckland Town Hall
  4. A building and the sea at Seaham Harbour Marina

    Add Seaham Harbour Marina to your Itinerary

    Seaham Harbour Marina

    Type

    Type:

    Marina

    Seaham

    The multi award-winning Seaham Marina is County Durham's one and only marina. The marina provides facilities for 96 boats and is home to a fantastic selection of local businesses. From cafes serving delicious homemade cakes to physiotherapy and…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Seaham Harbour Marina
  5. Three children at Hardwick Park using App

    Add Dinosaur Safari at Hardwick Park to your Itinerary

    Dinosaur Safari at Hardwick Park

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Sedgefield

    Visitors to Hardwick Park in Sedgefield can enjoy new and exciting adventures with the launch of an interactive mobile app. The free Love Exploring mobile app features digital treasure hunts, suitable for all ages. In one of the most popular,…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Dinosaur Safari at Hardwick Park
  6. 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 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 Auckland Project - No 42 Gallery and Shop
  7. Adventure Valley Golf course

    Add Adventure Valley Golf to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 998 reviews998 reviews

    Adventure Valley Golf

    Type

    Type:

    Adventure Sport Centre

    Durham

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

    Dates

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

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for Adventure Valley Golf
  8. Crook Hall Gardens

    Add Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1068 reviews1068 reviews

    Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    National Trust

    Durham City

    The medieval hall merges into a Jacobean manor house, which in turn merges into a Georgian town house, reflecting its development over the centuries. The Hall provides a spectacular backdrop to the stunning 10-acre gardens, paddock and fields,…

    Dates

    From:
    15 Feb 2025to20 Dec 2025
    From:
    9 Feb 2026to28 Dec 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for Crook Hall Gardens
  9. 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 2025to31 Dec 2025
    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
  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:
    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
    • 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. 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 - 117 reviews117 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 2025to31 Dec 2025
    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
  12. Spennymoor Town Hall Bob Abley Art Gallery

    Add Spennymoor Town Hall Bob Abley Art Gallery to your Itinerary

    Spennymoor Town Hall Bob Abley Art Gallery

    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 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    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 Hall Bob Abley Art Gallery
  13. 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 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Durham Heritage Coast
  14. Durham Cathedral Tower

    Add Durham Cathedral Tower to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 7243 reviews7243 reviews

    Durham Cathedral Tower

    Type

    Type:

    Tower

    Durham City

    Enjoy spectacular views of the historic city of Durham and the surrounding countryside by climbing the cathedral’s Central Tower. Make a climb up the towers, the high point of your visit to Durham Cathedral.

    Visitors can conquer the 325 steps and…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Durham Cathedral Tower
  15. Aerial view of forest.

    Add Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 453 reviews453 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 2025to31 Dec 2025
    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
  16. 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 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for The Story
  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 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Auckland Palace Deer House and Park
  18. 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 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Gruffalo Sculptures at Hamsterley
  19. Blackton Reservoir

    Add Blackton Reservoir Wild Brown Trout Fishery to your Itinerary

    Blackton Reservoir Wild Brown Trout Fishery

    Type

    Type:

    Fishery

    Blackton Reservoir is one of the best wild brown trout fisheries in the country, offering fantastic scenery of the North Pennine Grouse Moors.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Mar 2026to30 Sept 2026
    More info for Blackton Reservoir Wild Brown Trout Fishery
  20. The Spa at Wynyard

    Add The Spa at Wynyard to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 189 reviews189 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 2025to31 Dec 2025
    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
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