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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 > Things to Do > Attractions > Family Fun > Family Attractions & Activities

Family Attractions & Activities

Durham has plenty to offer your little ones, take a look at the list below.

this is featured

Image of a steam train at Locomotion.

Locomotion

At Locomotion you can see highlights of the national collection of railway vehicles in the world’s…

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The exterior of The Bowes Museum and its grounds on a sunny day.

The Bowes Museum

There’s always something great to see and do at The Bowes Museum.  With more than 50,000 items in…

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Auckland Palace exterior with lawn area to foreground

The Auckland Project

The Auckland Project is unique collection of heritage attractions, galleries, gardens and parkland…

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Beamish - The Living Museum of the North

Discover an amazing journey through time at Beamish Museum as you travel back in time to the 1820s,…

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The Hole in Wand

Discover the Magic at The Hole In Wand – Dalton Park! Step into a world of wonder at The Hole…

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North Pennines National Landscape

The North Pennines National Landscape incorporates much of the Durham Dales, and is a stunning…

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Diggerland

Diggerland is the UK’s most unique construction-themed adventure park where guests can drive, ride…

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Weardale Museum

Small but fascinating volunteer run folk museum with an amazing collection including the beautiful…

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Durham University Botanic Garden

Set in countryside and mature woodland. Plant collections from North America, Himalayas and China,…

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Durham Cathedral

Thought by many to be the finest example of Norman church architecture in England, with the tombs…

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Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

Welcome to Raby Castle, Park and Gardens. A stunning complete medieval castle in County Durham with…

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PrevPrev
  • 1Locomotion
  • 2The Bowes Museum
  • 3The Auckland Project
  • 4Beamish - The Living Museum of the North
  • 5The Hole in Wand
  • 6North Pennines National Landscape
  • 7Diggerland
  • 8Weardale Museum
  • 9Durham University Botanic Garden
  • 10Durham Cathedral
  • 11Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
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Number of results: 48

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  1. Children in Hamsterley Forest searching for stick characters on The Stickman Man Trail. Credit Forestry England Crown Copyright

    Add The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland

    Families can join a new forest adventure as the much-loved character Stick Man, based on the beautiful picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, returns to Forestry England Hamsterley.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Feb 2025to31 Jan 2026
    More info for The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  2. Walks around Ushaw - The Boundary Walk

    Add Walks around Ushaw - The Boundary Walk to your Itinerary

    Walks around Ushaw - The Boundary Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Durham

    This walk is currently closed for maintenance.​​​​​​

    ​​​​​​​​​​Come and enjoy a 3-mile circular route around the Ushaw estate, starting at the main house and taking in the old hilltop with wide-open views of Durham’s countryside.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Walks around Ushaw - The Boundary Walk
  3. Prince Bishop River Cruiser and Browns Rowing Boats

    Add Prince Bishop River Cruiser and Browns Rowing Boats to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 198 reviews198 reviews

    Prince Bishop River Cruiser and Browns Rowing Boats

    Type

    Type:

    Boat Trip

    Durham City

    The Prince Bishop River Cruiser offers cruises with spectacular views of historic Durham City, Cathedral, Castle and Bridges and evening cruises with a difference twelve months of the year.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2025to31 Oct 2025
    More info for Prince Bishop River Cruiser and Browns Rowing Boats
  4. Down at the Farm overhead site image

    Add Down at the Farm to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 268 reviews268 reviews

    Down at the Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Farm

    Houghton le Spring

    Outdoor Farm park located in between Durham and Sunderland. Lots of outdoor play areas, bouncy pillows and farm animals to see! Cafe and picnic areas available. Open March - October. Buy your saver tickets online!

    Dates

    From:
    25 Mar 2025to29 Oct 2025
    More info for Down at the Farm
  5. Walking on the Durham Heritage Coast

    Add Blackhall Rocks Local Nature Reserve Walk to your Itinerary

    Blackhall Rocks Local Nature Reserve Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Hartlepool

    Blackhall Rocks is a Local Nature Reserve and picnic area within Durham Heritage Coast and is UK Woodland Assurance Scheme certified. Part Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Area of Conservation.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Blackhall Rocks Local Nature Reserve Walk
  6. H2O at Witton Country Park

    Add H2O Riders to your Itinerary

    H2O Riders

    Type

    Type:

    Activity Centre

    Witton-le-Wear

    Embark on an unforgettable outdoors adventure with paddle boarding, kayaking, or a thrilling water bike ride at the premier water sports hire centre at Witton Castle Activity Lake in County Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for H2O Riders
  7. Ruins at Binchester Roman Fort

    Add Binchester Roman Fort to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 126 reviews126 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 2025to31 Oct 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Binchester Roman Fort
  8. 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
    More info for Gruffalo Sculptures at Hamsterley
  9. An historic steam train on Tanfield Railway in County Durham.

    Add Tanfield Railway to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 473 reviews473 reviews

    Tanfield Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Railway

    Tanfield

    Oldest existing railway in the world, opened 1725. Steam-hauled passenger trains, vintage carriages, 61 locomotives and steam-driven vintage workshop. Please see website for dates and operating times.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Trip Advisor Travellers Choice 2023 2023Trip Advisor Travellers Choice 2023
    More info for Tanfield Railway
  10. Image of three children outside the Temple of Minerva at Hardwick Park.

    Add Self-Led Love Exploring Trails: Roman Game at Hardwick Park to your Itinerary

    Self-Led Love Exploring Trails: Roman Game at Hardwick Park

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Sedgefield

    Try our bespoke new game to learn more about Hardwick Park's East Park and the unique Roman settlement that was found there.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Self-Led Love Exploring Trails: Roman Game at Hardwick Park
  11. 'Lily of Lumley' - Escape Rooms Durham at Lumley Castle

    Add Escape Rooms Durham - Lily of Lumley to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 463 reviews463 reviews

    Escape Rooms Durham - Lily of Lumley

    Type

    Type:

    Attraction

    Chester-le-Street

    Lumley Castle holds a secret. For centuries the halls and passageways have been said to be haunted by Lily Of Lumley. You and your team are here to investigate the haunting and solve the mystery. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Escape Rooms Durham - Lily of Lumley
  12. Children and adults on mountain bikes - Forestry England/Crown copyright

    Add Squirrel Chaser Blue Cycle Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Squirrel Chaser Blue Cycle Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Cycle Route

    Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland

    Hit the trails at Hamsterley Forest this Easter! Forestry England is delighted to announce the opening of a brand–new, blue (moderate) grade off-road cycle trail at Hamsterley Forest, County Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Apr 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Squirrel Chaser Blue Cycle Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  13. Hayley Crawshaw dancing whilst wild swimming in the Thames

    Little Blue Pootles - Guided Swim Hikes

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Adventure Activities

    and North East England,

    Tailor made guided wild swimming walks, instant book packaged taster sessions, and shorter wild swim experiences, in the North Pennines, and beyond.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Little Blue Pootles - Guided Swim Hikes
  14. 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 - 8934 reviews8934 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:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

    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 TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award 2020 2020TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award 2020
    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for Beamish - The Living Museum of the North
  15. coached sports session Durham city Wharton park family fun

    Add Wharton Park to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 87 reviews87 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 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for Wharton Park
  16. 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
    More info for Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve
  17. Dalton Moor School of Sustainable Living & Wellbeing logo

    Add Dalton Moor Farm - School of Sustainable Living & Wellbeing to your Itinerary

    Dalton Moor Farm - School of Sustainable Living & Wellbeing

    Type

    Type:

    Art and Craft Activity

    Dalton le Dale, Seaham

    At Dalton Moor Farm, School of Sustainable Living & Wellbeing, whether you want to learn how to forage for wild food, weave a willow basket, learn more about the farm on a guided farm tour, find your rhythm at a drum circle, howl at the full moon,…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Dalton Moor Farm - School of Sustainable Living & Wellbeing
  18. Seaside Seaham Durham Coast

    Add Seaham Heritage Trail to your Itinerary

    Seaham Heritage Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Walking

    Seaham

    This walk provides opportunities to explore Seaham and the Marina where there are a number of places to have a coffee or a meal or simply enjoy the view with an ice cream. Cafés, bars and small shops are plentiful along North Terrace and the Marina.…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Seaham Heritage Trail
  19. 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

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous VisitEngland Gold Accolade 2024VisitEngland Gold Accolade
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Trip Advisor Travellers Choice 2023 2023Trip Advisor Travellers Choice 2023
    • Visit England Visitor Ready 2024Visitor Ready
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for Auckland Palace - The Auckland Project
  20. 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 - 1306 reviews1306 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 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025Weardale Visitor Network Member
    More info for The Plotters' Forest at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
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