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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 > Hands on History

Get hands on with history

The past comes to life in Durham. Get hands-on with history at award-winning Beamish, ride the world's oldest working railway at Tanfield or don a hard hat and head down the mine at Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum.

See more ideas below.

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this is featured

The Bowes Museum 
Rainbow, Grounds, Blue Skies

The Bowes Museum

An iconic building and public Museum set in the vibrant market town of Barnard Castle in the midst…

MORE INFO

Family walking up to Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral

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

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Ruins at Binchester Roman Fort

Binchester Roman Fort

Remains of Commandant's house and neighbouring bath-house containing one of the best preserved…

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High Force Waterfall

High Force is one of the most impressive waterfalls in England. The River Tees has been plunging…

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Raby Castle

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

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Durham Town Hall

The Town Hall has been central to life in Durham city for more than 650 years.  Learn about the…

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The Spanish Gallery - The Auckland Project

The Spanish Gallery tells a story of Golden Age Spanish art during the 16th and 17th centuries,…

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Bishop Auckland Town Hall

Bishop Auckland Town Hall is a multi-purpose cultural venue situated in Bishop Auckland market…

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Locomotion

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

MORE INFO

Beamish - The Living Museum of the North

Discover an amazing journey through time at Beamish Museum as you travel back in time and become…

MORE INFO

PrevPrev
  • 1The Bowes Museum
  • 2Durham Cathedral
  • 3Binchester Roman Fort
  • 4High Force Waterfall
  • 5Raby Castle
  • 6Durham Town Hall
  • 7The Spanish Gallery - The Auckland Project
  • 8Bishop Auckland Town Hall
  • 9Locomotion
  • 10Beamish - The Living Museum of the North
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Number of results:

Number of results: 79

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  1. Exterior shot of Raby Castle

    Add Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 946 reviews946 reviews

    Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Castle / Fort

    Staindrop

    Welcome to Raby Castle and Deer Park. A stunning complete medieval castle in County Durham with a fascinating history and stories to tell. Explore our Deer Park and adventure playground, The Plotters' Forest or learn about our fascinating Castle…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2022to24 Dec 2022Various Opening Times
    From:
    1 Jan 2022to24 Dec 2022Various Opening Times
    From:
    1 Jan 2022to24 Dec 2022
    From:
    1 Jan 2022to31 Dec 2022
    From:
    2 Mar 2022to30 Oct 2022Various Opening Times

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2019VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2016TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels

    Indicative Availability

    Book Raby Castle Online (opens in a new window)

    More info for Raby Castle
  2. Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre

    Add Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre to your Itinerary

    Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    Durham City

    Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre is small building of architectural beauty situated in Wheatley Hill cemetery. It houses a permanent exhibition of colliery village life.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2021to31 Dec 2022Various Opening Times
    More info for Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre
  3. Causey Arch and Picnic Area

    Add Causey Arch and Picnic Area to your Itinerary

    Causey Arch and Picnic Area

    Type

    Type:

    Picnic Site

    Stanley

    Picnic site which is home to the world’s oldest surviving single arch railway bridge.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2019to31 Dec 2022
    More info for Causey Arch and Picnic Area
  4. Queen tribute act poster with image of Freddie Mercury.

    Add Queen by Candlelight at Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Queen by Candlelight at Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    The College, Durham City

    Featuring a live cast of West End singers, accompanied by an incredible live rock band, experience Queen as you have never heard them before.

    Dates

    From:
    28 July 2022Open 19:30 -
    From:
    29 July 2022to12 Aug 2022Various Opening Times
    From:
    11 Aug 2022Open 19:30 -
    From:
    12 Aug 2022Open 20:00 -
    More info for Queen by Candlelight at Durham Cathedral
  5. Colliery band playing in Durham Cathedral with Miners' Lodge Banner.

    Add Durham Miners' Gala Cathedral Service to your Itinerary

    Durham Miners' Gala Cathedral Service

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    The College, Durham City

    This service has been part of every Gala since 1897.

    Dates

    From:
    9 July 2022Open 15:00 -
    More info for Durham Miners' Gala Cathedral Service
  6. Steam Engine at Locomotion

    Add Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1136 reviews1136 reviews

    Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Shildon

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

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2022to31 Dec 2022

    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 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2018Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence
    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for Locomotion
  7. 1950s welfare hall beamish museum

    Add 1950's Welfare Hall at Beamish to your Itinerary

    1950's Welfare Hall at Beamish

    Type

    Type:

    Sub-Attraction

    Beamish

    Experience the excitement and community spirit of the 1950's with our new welfare hall. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2022to31 Jan 2023

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2019VAQAS
    More info for 1950's Welfare Hall at Beamish
  8. External image of Crook Hall and Gardens

    Add Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 971 reviews971 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:
    13 Jan 2022to30 Oct 2022Open 10:00 - 17:00
    From:
    5 Nov 2022to31 Dec 2022Various Opening Times

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2016TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
    More info for Crook Hall Gardens
  9. Entrance to Oriental Museum

    Add Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 355 reviews355 reviews

    Durham University Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Durham City

    Explore Ancient Egypt and Western Asia, the Himalayas, China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia all in one museum.  The Oriental Museum is devoted to the art and archaeology of the great cultures of North Africa and Asia.

    Dates

    From:
    19 May 2022to23 Dec 2022Various Opening Times

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2019VAQAS
    • Green Awards Green Tourism Business Scheme - Gold 2015Green Tourism Business Scheme - Gold
    • Visit England Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2017Quality Assured Visitor Attraction
    • Regional and Miscellaneous North East England Small Visitor Attraction of the Year Highly Commended 2015North East England Small Visitor Attraction of the Year Highly Commended
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2018Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for Durham University Oriental Museum
  10. Women telling a story outdoors to a group of children.

    Add Tales From Around The World at Durham University Botanic Garden to your Itinerary

    Tales From Around The World at Durham University Botanic Garden

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    South Road, Durham City

    Join storyteller, Elizabeth Baker, for a story-walk around the gardens. As we walk, Elizabeth will tell stories and legends from some of the countries the wonderful plants in our gardens are from.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Aug 2022Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Tales From Around The World at Durham University Botanic Garden
  11. Bowlees

    Add Bowlees Visitor Centre to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 305 reviews305 reviews

    Bowlees Visitor Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    Newbiggin

    Situated amidst stunning woodland, near to Low and High Force waterfalls and surrounded by rolling fields that boast some of the best hay meadows in England, Bowlees Visitor Centre has all you need to make your visit to the North Pennines Area of…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Feb 2021to31 Dec 2022Open 10:00 - 16:00

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous North East England Tourism Awards - Small Visitor Attraction of the Year Award - Gold 2016North East England Tourism Awards - Small Visitor Attraction of the Year Award - Gold
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2019TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
    More info for Bowlees Visitor Centre
  12. School's out for Summer written in blue with cartoon image of the sun wearing sunglasses.

    Add School's Out for the Summer Party to your Itinerary

    School's Out for the Summer Party

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Celebrate the end of another term and the start of what hopefully will be a great Summer with our end of the term party with disco, games, lots of fun and rounded off with a tasty children's buffet.

    Dates

    From:
    22 July 2022Open 17:30 - 19:30
    More info for School's Out for the Summer Party
  13. Palace Green Library: DLI Collection Gallery

    Add DLI Collection at Palace Green Library to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 122 reviews122 reviews

    DLI Collection at Palace Green Library

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Durham City

    Explore the history of the Durham Light Infantry enjoying items from the collection with audio, displays and access to the medal collection on demand in the Barker Research Library.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2021to31 Dec 2022Open 10:00 - 17:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2019VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for DLI Collection at Palace Green Library
  14. The Rifles band playing and marching.

    Add Seventy Glorious Years Concert to your Itinerary

    Seventy Glorious Years Concert

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham City

    The Seventy Glorious Years of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Freedom Concert will take place on Saturday 2 July at Wharton Park and see the Band and Bugles of The Rifles and guests perform for watching crowds.

    Dates

    From:
    2 July 2022Open 16:00 - 18:00
    More info for Seventy Glorious Years Concert
  15. Green diesel train at Weardale Railway station.

    Add Weardale Railway to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 547 reviews547 reviews

    Weardale Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Railway

    Stanhope

    The Weardale Railway follows the path of the River Wear and passes through the spectacular scenery of Weardale. With historic connections to the Stockton & Darlington Railway, it was once a vital link to the industrial heart of Teesside.

    Dates

    From:
    28 May 2022to2 July 2022
    More info for Weardale Railway
  16. Weardale Museum and High House Chapel

    Add Weardale Museum to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 34 reviews34 reviews

    Weardale Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Ireshopeburn

    Small but fascinating volunteer run folk museum with an amazing collection including the beautiful Weardale Tapestry, displays on mining,a mineral collection and the finds from St Botolph's Chapel, Frosterley.Also a display commemorating the lives…

    Dates

    From:
    1 June 2022to30 Sept 2022Open 13:00 - 16:30
    From:
    1 Oct 2022to30 Oct 2022Various Opening Times
    From:
    1 Apr 2023to31 May 2023Various Opening Times
    More info for Weardale Museum
  17. Bowes Castle

    Add Bowes Castle to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 58 reviews58 reviews

    Bowes Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Castle / Fort

    Barnard Castle

    The massive ruins of Henry II's 12thC tower keep, set within the earthworks of a Roman fort guarding the strategic Stainmore Pass over the Pennines.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2020to31 Dec 2022
    More info for Bowes Castle
  18. A man showing a giant millipede to a group of women and children.

    Add Crazy Creatures at Durham University Botanic Garden to your Itinerary

    Crazy Creatures at Durham University Botanic Garden

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    South Road, Durham City

    Get interactive with our Crazy Creatures who are visiting the Garden for the day. Animal encounters with rabbits, frogs, snakes, spiders, mice and other animals to enjoy.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Aug 2022Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Crazy Creatures at Durham University Botanic Garden
  19. 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 2022to31 Dec 2022Various Opening Times
    More info for Spennymoor Town Hall Bob Abley Art Gallery
  20. Palace Green Library Exterior Durham

    Add Palace Green Library to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 122 reviews122 reviews

    Palace Green Library

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Durham

    Palace Green Library, in the heart of Durham city, holds Durham University's special collections. Our galleries are open to all and display treasures spanning millennia and the globe.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2020to31 Dec 2022Open 09:00 - 17:00

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for Palace Green Library
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