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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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Durham Cathedral Tours - temporarily suspended
Discover the hidden history of Durham Cathedral with one of our regular guided tours. Tours are…
Woodland Play Area: Raby Castle
The Park and Gardens provide lots of opportunity for fresh air, fun and exercise. Our Woodland…
Durham Castle Tours - closed until early 2021
Durham Castle is part of the Durham City World Heritage Site. Entrance by guided tour only. Opening…
Hamsterley Forest
Information point and tearoom, forest drive with children's play area. Four mile forest drive runs…
DLI Collection at Palace Green Library - closed to walk-in visitors until early 2021
Explore the history of the Durham Light Infantry enjoying items from the collection with…
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…
Chester-le-Street Riverside Park Splash Pad
The splash pad is a state of the art play facility which is free to use and suitable for families…
Durham Cathedral Tower - temporarily closed
Durham Cathedral Towers Enjoy spectacular views of the historic city of Durham and the surrounding…
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…
Diggerland
Diggerland is the UK’s most unique construction-themed adventure park where guests can drive, ride…
Binchester Roman Fort
Remains of Commandant's house and neighbouring bath-house containing one of the best preserved…
1950's Welfare Hall at Beamish
**Following the government announcement that the North East is in COVID-19 Tier 4 from 31st…
Wharton Park
This VisitEngland accredited attraction Wharton Park commands spectacular views across Durham City.…
Grassholme Observatory
Waterside Parks purpose built observatory, based at Grassholme Reservoir near Barnard Castle,…
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…
Raby Castle
Medieval Raby Castle, home of Lord Barnard's family since 1626, includes a 200 acre deer park,…
Durham University Oriental Museum - Closed until further notice due to COVID-19
Explore Ancient Egypt and Western Asia, the Himalayas, China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia all…

- 1Durham Cathedral Tours - temporarily suspended
- 2Woodland Play Area: Raby Castle
- 3Durham Castle Tours - closed until early 2021
- 4Hamsterley Forest
- 5DLI Collection at Palace Green Library - closed to walk-in visitors until early 2021
- 6Durham Cathedral
- 7Hardwick Park
- 8Chester-le-Street Riverside Park Splash Pad
- 9Durham Cathedral Tower - temporarily closed
- 10Beamish - The Living Museum of the North
- 11Diggerland
- 12Binchester Roman Fort
- 131950's Welfare Hall at Beamish
- 14Wharton Park
- 15Grassholme Observatory
- 16Museum of Archaeology - Closed until further notice due to Covid-19
- 17Raby Castle
- 18Durham University Oriental Museum - Closed until further notice due to COVID-19
