As we head into the half-term school holidays, and beyond, there is plenty of family fun to be had across Durham. Here are six ideas on your doorstep to get you started…

The leaves may be falling, and the nights drawing in, but Autumn is the perfect time of year to explore the county’s great outdoors, with wide open spaces waiting to be discovered.

But if you prefer indoors to outdoors, you’ll find exciting attractions for lots of half-term fun too.

Here, we’ve selected six half-term adventures to be enjoyed this autumn, but these are just a few suggestions – there are lots more to be found at thisisdurham.com/autumn – so have fun.

Durham Heritage Coast

The Northern Echo:

Explorers will love the dramatic landscape of the Durham Heritage Coast, with its beaches, rugged cliffs, spectacular headlands, and recognised internationally for its rare plants and wildlife.

Walkers can follow the 11-mile coastal path through areas of natural, historical, and geological interest – featuring stunning grasslands, wildflowers, flora and fauna,with breathtaking views across the North Sea.

And don’t miss the chance to search for sea glass on Seaham Hall Beach.

Locomotion

The Northern Echo:

It’s full steam ahead for October half-term at the historic railway museum at Shildon.

Families can enjoy a trip to the locomotive-filled museum in the world’s first railway town, and also build up the excitement with an online LEGO® construction session.

Children can get creative with LEGO® from home on October 27 by booking in advance.

Then, on October 29, children can learn about sustainability through family-learning activities, including planting their own bulbs, and waiting for the first signs of life to appear.

Location: Shildon, DL4 2RE.

Dinosaur hunting in Wharton Park and Hardwick Park

The Northern Echo: © Lee Dobson Photography© Lee Dobson Photography

Calling all dinosaur hunters… we all know you can find dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, but who’d have thought you might spot them in Wharton Park, in Durham City, and Hardwick Park, Sedgefield.

It’s all thanks to the free, interactive mobile ‘Love Exploring’ app, which can be downloaded for both Android and iPhone, and uses augmented reality to make dinosaurs appear around the park.

Once you’ve found the prehistoric creatures, there’s even a chance to take selfies with your new virtual friends.

The app also features a new spooky Halloween trail.

It all adds up to a fantastic free way to keep the family ‘appy’.

Location: Wharton Park, Framwellgate Peth, Durham City, DH1 4RR.

Location: Hardwick Park, Sedgefield, TS21 2DN.

The Bowes Museum – Where’s Wally? Spooky Museum Search!

The Northern Echo:

One of the jewel’s in the county’s crown, The Bowes Museum invites you to join the search for Wally with your family this October half-term.

It’s all part of the national ‘Where’s Wally? Spooky Museum Search’, organised by Kids in Museums and Walker Books, to celebrate the release of the new Where’s Wally? book, ‘Spooky Spotlight Search’.

If you think you’re up to finding him amongst the collections, pick up an activity sheet, and receive a special ‘I found Wally’ bookmark when you’ve completed your search.

Location: Barnard Castle, DL12 8NP. Event runs until 1 November.

Bowlees Visitor Centre

The Northern Echo:

Bowlees Visitor Centre is a fantastic gateway to the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and UNESCO Global Geopark, which encompasses much of the Durham Dales.

Find out fascinating facts about this special landscape before exploring on two feet or two wheels.

Take a short walk to Low Force, Gibson’s Cave and Summerhill Force, go on an invertebrate hunt in the quarry, or have fun in the mud kitchen.

Location: Newbiggin, Teesdale, DL12 0XF

Durham Town Hall

The Northern Echo:

Central to life in Durham City for more than 650 years, the Town Hall is the newest heritage attraction in the city and free to visitors. And is now open four days a week (Wednesday to Saturday).

This beautiful building brings Durham’s unique heritage to life, with new interpretation, short films, plus much more that tells its fascinating story.

Location: Market Place, Durham City, DH1 3NJ

For more great ideas for half term and autumn adventures, plus events, places to eat, and accommodation for the perfect staycation, visit: thisisdurham.com/autumn

  • Tourism businesses have taken every step to ensure they are Covid-secure, and anyone exploring the county must comply with the local restrictions in place. We recommend that you plan ahead and ‘know before you go' to check pre-booking information, opening times and facilities prior to visiting.
  • Durham’s wide open spaces are waiting to be explored, and businesses across the county can welcome you back safely.