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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

  1. Attractions
    Amazing Attractions
    History-lovers can experience Durham’s amazing heritage at award-winning attractions across the county including Durham Cathedral and Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore museums and galleries, castles and historic houses, take some time out in the county’s many green spaces and get ideas for great family days out too.
  2. Activities
    Find Your Ideal Activity
    Whether you’re looking for an indulgent spa break, a golfing holiday or you’d rather get outdoors and active during your stay, here are some ideas to get you started.
  3. Shopping
    Shopping
    Stylish boutiques and quirky craft shops jostle for attention alongside top-name brands in Durham City, whilst market towns across the county are treasure troves of art, antiques and pottery.
  4. Sightseeing, Tours & Guides
    Sightseeing, Tours & Guides
    Find a range of guided and self- guided tours at locations across the county.
  5. Entertainment
    Let Us Entertain You
    From live cricket to stand-up comedy, a night at the theatre or a day at the races, let us entertain you during your visit.
  6. Special Offers
    Special Offers
    Take advantage of exclusive money-saving offers on accommodation, attractions and activities, eating out and shopping.
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  • Sightseeing and tours in Durham

    Sightseeing, Tours & Guides

    Find a range of guided and self- guided tours at locations across the county.

  • Entertainment in Durham

    Let Us Entertain You

    From live cricket to stand-up comedy, a night at the theatre or a day at the races, let us entertain you during your visit.

  • Activities in Durham

    Find Your Ideal Activity

    Whether you’re looking for an indulgent spa break, a golfing holiday or you’d rather get outdoors and active during your stay, here are some ideas to get you started.

  • Attractions in Durham

    Amazing Attractions

    History-lovers can experience Durham’s amazing heritage at award-winning attractions across the county including Durham Cathedral and Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

    Explore museums and galleries, castles and historic houses, take some time out in the county’s many green spaces and get ideas for great family days out too.

  • Durham Deals

    Special Offers

    Take advantage of exclusive money-saving offers on accommodation, attractions and activities, eating out and shopping.

  • Shopping in Durham

    Shopping

    Stylish boutiques and quirky craft shops jostle for attention alongside top-name brands in Durham City, whilst market towns across the county are treasure troves of art, antiques and pottery.

You are here > Home > Things to Do

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 and the brand new 11Arches Park.  

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.

this is featured

Play area at Chester-le-Street Riverside Park Splash Pad

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…

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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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Palace Green Library: DLI Collection Gallery

DLI Collection at Palace Green Library

Explore the history of the Durham Light Infantry enjoying items from the collection with…

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Durham University Oriental Museum

Explore Ancient Egypt and Western Asia, the Himalayas, China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia all…

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Hardwick Park

This VisitEngland accredited attraction is an 18th Century parkland featuring beautiful views, rich…

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Durham Online Escape Room - Quest of the Rose Coins

Legend tells of six rose coins that will bring fortune to those who find them, but they are hidden…

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1950's Welfare Hall at Beamish

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

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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 and become…

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Adventure Valley

Discover a world of family adventures at Adventure Valley, the North East’s biggest family…

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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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The Northern Saints Trails

The Northern Saints Trails, based on ancient pilgrim routes, position the North East as the…

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The Auckland Project

Journey through a thousand years of history, art, culture and faith at The Auckland Project in…

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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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Auckland Castle - The Auckland Project

Positioned high above the meandering River Wear, Auckland Castle was once home to the Prince…

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Diggerland

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

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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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Killhope Lead Mining Museum

Killhope is a multi award winning Victorian lead mining museum offering a great day out for the…

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Gala Durham

The Gala Theatre is a superb arts venue in the heart of Durham City with 500 seat theatre, 2 cinema…

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PrevPrev
  • 1Chester-le-Street Riverside Park Splash Pad
  • 2Durham Cathedral
  • 3DLI Collection at Palace Green Library
  • 4Durham University Oriental Museum
  • 5Hardwick Park
  • 6Durham Online Escape Room - Quest of the Rose Coins
  • 71950's Welfare Hall at Beamish
  • 8Beamish - The Living Museum of the North
  • 9Adventure Valley
  • 10Raby Castle
  • 11The Northern Saints Trails
  • 12The Auckland Project
  • 13Durham Town Hall
  • 14Auckland Castle - The Auckland Project
  • 15Diggerland
  • 16High Force Waterfall
  • 17Killhope Lead Mining Museum
  • 18Gala Durham
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this is our blog

  • Durham's Royal Connections

    Raby Castle reflected in the lake on a bright sunny day

    From Kings of distant past and powerful Prince Bishops to the current Queen of England, Durham has many fascinating connections to royals throughout history.  

  • Royal visits through the years

    HRH Queen Elizabeth II smiling at children during a visit to Durham Cathedral.

    The people of Durham love a good royal visit and over the years, we’ve had plenty of exciting royal visitors.

  • Seventy Years of the Railways

    Deltic train engine

    Celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee at Locomotion's new exhibition - Seventy Years of the Railways.

  • Spain’s Field Farm opening at Beamish Museum after being moved stone by stone

    Spain’s Field Farm at Beamish Museum

    See what life was like for families living in upland farms during the 1950s at Beamish Museum's Spain's Field Farm.

  • Discover The Plotter's Forest at Raby Castle

    artist impression of what Raby Castle forest adventure playground with child playing in treetop wooden towers.

    Adventure awaits this Easter at Raby Castle as The Plotter's Forest adventure playground is due to open. 

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