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Things to Do
There's no shortage of things to do during your stay in Durham - a county full of surprises.
No visit to the county would be complete without a visit to the world-famous Durham Cathedral, which together with the adjacent Castle forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Durham City. And if you love history you can delve further into the county's fascinating past at exciting attractions in the Durham Dales, Durham Coast and the Vale of Durham including Beamish - The living Museum of the North, England's largest open air museum. Plus, don't miss the spectacular live open air night show Kynren, an epic tale of England, which takes place in Bishop Auckland throughout the summer.
Take some tranquil time out in the county's many green spaces, country parks and gardens, or get active as you explore the Durham Dales of Teesdale and Weardale, and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - packed with walking and cycling routes and dotted with hidden gems and historical treasure troves.
From a day at the races to international cricket, golfing holidays and indulgent spa breaks, you'll be spoilt for choice in Durham.
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Gala Theatre Durham - To Open Jan 2021
The Gala Theatre is a superb arts venue in the heart of Durham City with 500 seat theatre, 2 cinema…
Binchester Roman Fort
Remains of Commandant's house and neighbouring bath-house containing one of the best preserved…
Beamish - The Living Museum of the North
Experience a real sense of your past at Beamish, a living, working museum, set in 300 acres of…
Adventure Valley
Discover a world of family adventures at Adventure Valley, the North East’s biggest family…
Open Treasure at Durham Cathedral - temporarily closed
Open Treasure is an award-winning museum for all ages which guides visitors through some of Durham…
Museum of Archaeology - Closed until further notice due to Covid-19
**Closed until further notice** Living on the Hills - 10,000 years of Durham. This permanent…
Diggerland
Diggerland is the UK’s most unique construction-themed adventure park where guests can drive, ride…
Killhope (Museum to remain closed)
Refurbished in 2016, Killhope is a multi award winning Victorian lead mining museum offering a…
Grassholme Observatory
Waterside Parks purpose built observatory, based at Grassholme Reservoir near Barnard Castle,…
Durham Cathedral
Thought by many to be the finest example of Norman church architecture in England, with the tombs…
Hardwick Park
This VisitEngland accredited attraction is an 18th Century parkland featuring beautiful views, rich…
Auckland Castle - The Auckland Project: to reopen June 2021
900-year-old Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland is once again open to visitors, following a…
Durham Castle Tours - closed until early 2021
Durham Castle is part of the Durham City World Heritage Site. Entrance by guided tour only. Opening…
Chester-le-Street Riverside Park
Created in the 1930s, Riverside Park has always been popular with visitors. It was redeveloped in…
Durham Cathedral Tours - temporarily suspended
Discover the hidden history of Durham Cathedral with one of our regular guided tours. Tours are…
Hamsterley Forest
Information point and tearoom, forest drive with children's play area. Four mile forest drive runs…
Woodland Play Area: Raby Castle
The Park and Gardens provide lots of opportunity for fresh air, fun and exercise. Our Woodland…
Wharton Park
This VisitEngland accredited attraction Wharton Park commands spectacular views across Durham City.…

- 1Gala Theatre Durham - To Open Jan 2021
- 2Binchester Roman Fort
- 3Beamish - The Living Museum of the North
- 4Adventure Valley
- 5Open Treasure at Durham Cathedral - temporarily closed
- 6Museum of Archaeology - Closed until further notice due to Covid-19
- 7Diggerland
- 8Killhope (Museum to remain closed)
- 9Grassholme Observatory
- 10Durham Cathedral
- 11Hardwick Park
- 12Auckland Castle - The Auckland Project: to reopen June 2021
- 13Durham Castle Tours - closed until early 2021
- 14Chester-le-Street Riverside Park
- 15Durham Cathedral Tours - temporarily suspended
- 16Hamsterley Forest
- 17Woodland Play Area: Raby Castle
- 18Wharton Park
