Things to Do in Durham
Planning Your Trip
Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.
To build your own Itinerary, click to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
You are here > Home > Things to Do > Attractions > Hands on 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.
Medieval Raby Castle, home of Lord Barnard's family since 1626, includes a 200 acre deer park,…
Bishop Auckland Town Hall is a multi-purpose cultural venue situated in Bishop Auckland market…
The Town Hall has been central to life in Durham city for more than 650 years. A recent makeover…
An iconic building and Museum set in the vibrant market town of Barnard Castle in the midst of…
Remains of Commandant's house and neighbouring bath-house containing one of the best preserved…
Thought by many to be the finest example of Norman church architecture in England, with the tombs…
At Locomotion you can see highlights of the national collection of railway vehicles in the world’s…
Experience a real sense of your past at Beamish, a living, working museum, set in 300 acres of…
High Force is one of the most impressive waterfalls in England. The River Tees has been plunging…
Number of results: 52
, currently showing 1 to 20.
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.
Gallery
Bishop Auckland
The gallery will house a special programme of exhibitions, bringing fine art to Bishop Auckland, in particular European paintings dating from 1600 to 1900. This will include masterpieces on loan from private collections.
Heritage / Visitor Centre
Seaham
The East Durham Heritage and Lifeboat Centre displays the historic lifeboat The George Elmy and gives and insight into the rich heritage of the area.
Castle / Fort
Bishop Auckland
Journey through a thousand years of history, art, culture and faith at The Auckland Project in Bishop Auckland.
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.
Castle / Fort
Durham
Brancepeth is one of the oldest castles in the North East. The building today is a combination of the Nevilles' medieval stronghold and the grand country house created for the wealthy Russell family in Regency times.
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.
Museum
Cowshill
Refurbished in 2016, Killhope is a multi award winning Victorian lead mining museum offering a great day out for the family. Guided mine tours, working water wheel, original machinery, exhibitions, workshops, family events, performances, stunning…
Historic Site
Durham
Ruins of a medieval manor house used as a medieval country retreat for the Priors of Durham. Dates from mid 13th century. .
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…
Arts Centre
Barnard Castle
The Witham is a community venue for theatre, music, art and social events, facilities range from the architecturally award-winning café bar to a fully-renovated Victorian music hall.
Heritage / Visitor Centre
Bishop Auckland
Your visit to The Auckland Project begins at Auckland Tower, where you can find all the information you need to explore the castle, grounds and local area. Here you will buy entry tickets, collect guidebooks and maps, get directions, and learn about…
Historic Site
Durham City
Raffaele Monti's statue of Charles William Vane Stewart, the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry.
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.
Abbey / Priory
Barnard Castle
Charming ruins of Premonstratensian Abbey and picnic area in a picturesque location on the River Tees.
Abbey / Priory
Durham
The very extensive remains of a 13thC priory, founded on the site of a retired pirate's hermitage.
Gallery
Seaham
The Art Block is the only dedicated art gallery in East Durham.
Cathedral / Minister
Durham City
Open Treasure is an award-winning museum for all ages which guides visitors through some of Durham Cathedral’s most spectacular spaces, including the fourteenth-century Monks’ Dormitory and the monastic Great Kitchen.
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…
Museum
Horden
Heritage Centre with themed rooms. Mining Museum going back 100 years with 350 archives, photographs of Horden, lots of history, 1940s rooms.
© Copyright Visit County Durham. All Rights Reserved
Registered Office: Visit County Durham, 2nd Floor, County Hall, Dryburn Road, Durham, DH1 5UL