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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 > Discover Wellness in Durham > Nature & Wildlife

Nature & Wildlife

Reconnect with nature and explore Durham's great outdoors, offering serene landscapes, walking trails, and activities to relax the mind, body, and soul.

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Number of results: 36

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  1. Pow Hill Country Park

    Add Pow Hill Country Park to your Itinerary

    Pow Hill Country Park

    Type

    Type:

    Country / Royal Park

    Edmundbyers

    A moorland country park on the banks of the Derwent Reservoir.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Pow Hill Country Park
  2. Hardwick Park at sunset

    Add Hardwick Park to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 479 reviews479 reviews

    Hardwick Park

    Type

    Type:

    Parkland / Woodland Garden

    Sedgefield

    This VisitEngland accredited attraction is an 18th Century parkland featuring beautiful views, rich heritage, archaeological remains and ecological diversity - a remarkable place to visit. The park is open daily with events held throughout the year.…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Visit England Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2017Quality Assured Visitor Attraction
    More info for Hardwick Park
  3. Footpath through Hawthorn Dene

    Add Hawthorn Dene Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

    Hawthorn Dene Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Hawthorn Village

    The second largest coastal Dene in the county, consisting of relatively unspoilt ancient woodland and species rich limestone hay meadows.  

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Hawthorn Dene Nature Reserve
  4. Path surrounded by heather in Hedleyhope Fell

    Add Hedleyhope Fell Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

    Hedleyhope Fell Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Tow Law

    One of the largest mid-altitude heathlands remaining in County Durham, Hedleyhope Fell is a mosaic of heather, bilberry, acid grassland, rush pasture, bracken beds, patches of gorse and scattered trees.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Hedleyhope Fell Nature Reserve
  5. Crook Hall Gardens

    Add Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1050 reviews1050 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:
    15 Feb 2025to20 Dec 2025
    More info for Crook Hall Gardens
  6. Aycliffe Nature Park

    Add Aycliffe Nature Park to your Itinerary

    Aycliffe Nature Park

    Type

    Type:

    Parkland / Woodland Garden

    Newton Aycliffe

    Aycliffe Nature Park is located to the east of Newton Aycliffe, where a disused railway line crosses under the A167 and is accessed either via Groat Drive or from Travellers Green. The site of Aycliffe nature park is wholly owned by Great Aycliffe…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Aycliffe Nature Park
  7. 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 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Causey Arch and Picnic Area
  8. Hesleden Dene woodland walk with woodland flowers

    Add Hesleden Dene Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

    Hesleden Dene Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Hesleden

    The reserve has exceptional natural exposures of magnesian limestone eroded to produce impressive outcrops with many caves and fissures. Hesleden Dene is best visited in spring for the woodland flora and autumn for the fungi and turning leaves.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Hesleden Dene Nature Reserve
  9. Ushaw Historic House and grounds

    Add Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 224 reviews224 reviews

    Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Historic House / Palace

    Durham

    Ushaw is set in the beautiful Durham countryside and houses architectural gems by Augustus Pugin and his followers. This amazing venue offers a wide variety of activities, events and exhibitions - something for all ages!

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Green Tourism Awards - Bronze 2025Green Tourism Awards - Bronze
    More info for Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  10. Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre

    Add Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 125 reviews125 reviews

    Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Chilton Moor, Houghton le Spring

    Rainton Meadows was created by the restoration of the Rye Hill Opencast coal mine in 1996 by UK Coal in partnership with Durham Wildlife Trust and the City of Sunderland.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre
  11. High Force Waterfall

    Add High Force Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1355 reviews1355 reviews

    High Force Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Natural Feature

    Forest in Teesdale

    High Force is one of the most impressive waterfalls in England. The River Tees has been plunging into this gorge for thousands of years but the rocks it reveals are far more ancient – with origins dating back over 300 million yrs.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2025to31 Oct 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    1 Nov 2025to31 Mar 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for High Force Waterfall
  12. Autumn hills at North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

    Add North Pennines National Landscape to your Itinerary

    North Pennines National Landscape

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Routes

    The North Pennines National Landscape incorporates much of the Durham Dales, and is a stunning landscape of open heather moors, dramatic dales, tumbling upland rivers, wonderful woods, close-knit communities, glorious waterfalls, fantastic birds,…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for North Pennines National Landscape
  13. View of Seaham Coast from above

    Add Seaham Beach to your Itinerary

    Seaham Beach

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Seaham

    Seaham Beach is a pleasant stretch of rocky and sandy beach, with rocks pools a plenty. The dog-friendly beach stretches for approx. one mile along the town’s coastline, from the harbour wall to the north of the town.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Seaham Beach
  14. Trees and a part area at National Trust - Gibside

    Add National Trust - Gibside to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 851 reviews851 reviews

    National Trust - Gibside

    Type

    Type:

    Garden

    Gateshead

    Discover fine Derwent Valley views, winding paths and refreshing open spaces. Escape along the avenue and around the gardens for miles of tranquil walks and picnic spots or enjoy family fun at Strawberry Castle play area.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2019TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
    More info for National Trust - Gibside
  15. Durham University Botanic Garden

    Add Durham University Botanic Garden to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 443 reviews443 reviews

    Durham University Botanic Garden

    Type

    Type:

    Botanic Garden

    Durham City

    Set in countryside and mature woodland. Plant collections from North America, Himalayas and China, glasshouse rainforest and desert plants. Six Colin Wilbourne sculptures in landscaped garden.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Green Awards Green Tourism Business Scheme - Silver 2015Green Tourism Business Scheme - Silver
    • Visit England Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2017Quality Assured Visitor Attraction
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2016TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for Durham University Botanic Garden
  16. Aerial view of forest.

    Add Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 451 reviews451 reviews

    Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Forest

    Redford, Hamsterley Forest

    Information point and tearoom, forest drive with children's play area. Four mile forest drive runs through the forest giving access to picnic sites along the way.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Visit England Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2017Quality Assured Visitor Attraction
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2016TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
    More info for Hamsterley Forest
  17. Stanhope Fossil Tree

    Add Stanhope Fossil Tree to your Itinerary

    Stanhope Fossil Tree

    Type

    Type:

    Natural Feature

    The Stanhope tree was found in a sandstone quarry at Edmundbyers Cross, north of Stanhope, in 1915. Its discovery is recorded by this photograph in the Auckland and County Chronicle, dated 13 May 1915. The accompanying article also mentions another…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Stanhope Fossil Tree
  18. Old Durham Gardens

    Add Old Durham Gardens to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 17 reviews17 reviews

    Old Durham Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Garden

    Durham

    Old Durham Gardens can be found less than a mile east of Durham City Centre. The gardens can be reached through a number of walks, including a very pleasant route through Pelaw Woods and provide a charming public space for everyone to enjoy.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for Old Durham Gardens
  19. View of Nose's Point

    Add Nose’s Point Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

    Nose’s Point Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Near Seaham

    The sea has played a key role in the way Nose’s Point looks and the plants and animals found here, the magnesian limestone bedrock, laid down in an ancient sea, has given rise to a rare form of grassland with unique populations of plants and animals…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Nose’s Point Nature Reserve
  20. Deer in forest

    Add Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

    Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Peterlee

    Castle Eden Dene is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is home to an extraordinary variety of birds, more than 450 species of plants, and some of our favourite mammals, such as roe deer and fox.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve
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