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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

25% off voucher for Diggerland Durham

Diggerland

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

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Autumn hills at North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

North Pennines National Landscape

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

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Durham University Botanic Garden

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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The Auckland Project

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

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Weardale Museum

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

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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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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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The Bowes Museum

There’s always something great to see and do at The Bowes Museum.  With more than 58,000 items in…

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Locomotion

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

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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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PrevPrev
  • 1Diggerland
  • 2North Pennines National Landscape
  • 3Durham University Botanic Garden
  • 4Durham Cathedral
  • 5The Auckland Project
  • 6Weardale Museum
  • 7Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  • 8The Hole in Wand
  • 9The Bowes Museum
  • 10Locomotion
  • 11Beamish - The Living Museum of the North
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Number of results: 33

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  1. Grand Finale all cast of Kynren view from the tribune

    Add Kynren - An Epic Tale of England to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 2390 reviews2390 reviews

    Kynren - An Epic Tale of England

    Type

    Type:

    Event Venue

    Bishop Auckland

    Travel through 2,000 years of history in a single unforgettable evening! Watch as legends come to life – Vikings storm ashore, battles rage, and heroes rise beneath a sky ablaze with magic and fire.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to12 Sept 2026Various Opening Times

    Awards

    • 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 Kynren - An Epic Tale of England
  2. 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
  3. Performers

    Add Durham Fringe Festival to your Itinerary

    Durham Fringe Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival & Events Organisers

    Durham

    The 2025 Durham Fringe Festival will return 23rd to 27th July.  The North East's biggest recognised fringe festival – featuring the best in dance, drama, magic, music, poetry, stand-up comedy and more. 

    Dates

    From:
    23 July 2026to27 July 2026
    More info for Durham Fringe Festival
  4. 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
  5. YuMe World Durham

    Add YuMe World Durham to your Itinerary

    YuMe World Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Family Activity Centre

    Durham City

    Get ready for an extraordinary arcade experience at YuMe World Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for YuMe World Durham
  6. 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
  7. Fishburn front street, Tree, village green, houses, road

    Add Fishburn & Bishop Middleham Circular Walk to your Itinerary

    Fishburn & Bishop Middleham Circular Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Fishburn

    Experience this rare landscape and ancient species, and journey through the first stronghold of the Prince Bishops.  A Discover Brightwater walk suitable for children/families.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Fishburn & Bishop Middleham Circular Walk
  8. 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
  9. 25% off voucher for Diggerland Durham

    Add Diggerland to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 763 reviews763 reviews

    Diggerland

    Type

    Type:

    Adventure Park / Playground

    Langley Park

    Diggerland is the UK’s most unique construction-themed adventure park where guests can drive, ride and operate earth-moving machinery in a safe and family friendly environment. There's one right here in Durham and you can save money off pay on the…

    Dates

    From:
    11 Feb 2025to30 Oct 2025

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Green Tourism Awards - Bronze 2025Green Tourism Awards - Bronze
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for Diggerland
  10. Explore the North East the Active Way Poster

    Go Smarter, Go Active Travel Itineraries

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Get out and about in beautiful Durham!

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Go Smarter, Go Active Travel Itineraries
  11. Girl looking through a magnifying glass into a bug pot

    Add RSPB Saltholme to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 494 reviews494 reviews

    RSPB Saltholme

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Middlesbrough

    RSPB Saltholme is the perfect place if you’re new to birdwatching or want to get out in nature. Our family-friendly wetlands have a helpful visitor's centre and hides which let you get up close to water rail, avocet and terns, plus a cafe, play area…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2025to31 Oct 2025Open 09:30 - 17:00
    From:
    1 Nov 2025to31 Mar 2026Open 09:30 - 16:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous VisitEngland Gold Accolade 2023VisitEngland Gold Accolade
    More info for RSPB Saltholme
  12. Cuddle the Alpacas at Hall Hill Farm

    Add Hall Hill Farm to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 685 reviews685 reviews

    Hall Hill Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Farm

    Lanchester

    Award-winning farm attraction set in attractive countryside, see and touch the animals at close quarters. Farm trailer ride, gift shop, tearoom, indoor softplay area picnic and play area.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous National Farm Attraction of the Year Award 2017National  Farm Attraction of the Year Award
    • Visit England VisitEngland Welcome Award 2024VisitEngland Welcome Award
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for Hall Hill Farm
  13. Carved wooden sculpture depicting a Dragonfly

    Add Hardwick Park Sculpture Trail to your Itinerary

    Hardwick Park Sculpture Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Sedgefield

    Six wetland-inspired oak pieces, designed and carved by north east artists Lee and Jill Brewster.  The artworks, depicting a dragonfly, frog and other wetland animals, were commissioned by the Discover Brightwater Landscape Project team.  

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Hardwick Park Sculpture Trail
  14. Flowers, Bullrushes, Grass, Trees

    Add Ferryhill Carrs & Thrislington Circular Walk to your Itinerary

    Ferryhill Carrs & Thrislington Circular Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Ferryhill

    Follow the path of the ancient glacier to discover two protected reserves.  A Discover Brightwater Walk suitable for Children/Families.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Ferryhill Carrs & Thrislington Circular Walk
  15. 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
  16. An historic steam train on Tanfield Railway in County Durham.

    Add Tanfield Railway to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 491 reviews491 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
  17. '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 - 466 reviews466 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
  18. Moor House Activity Centre

    Add Moor House Activity Centre to your Itinerary

    Moor House Activity Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Activity Centre

    Houghton-le-Spring

    We provide tailor made outdoor education solutions for everyone.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Moor House Activity Centre
  19. 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
  20. Singer/guitar player

    Add BACCANALIA to your Itinerary

    BACCANALIA

    Type

    Type:

    Festival & Events Organisers

    Bishop Auckland

    Baccanalia produces festivals and events in South Durham, offering premier experiences in social revelry and creative entertainment. We have loads going on from Cultural Festivals to Cabaret Nights with something for everyone.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for BACCANALIA
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