Amazing days in Durham… worth the wait

Durham Cathedral
Wander through the historic streets of Durham City to the world-famous Durham Cathedral and Castle UNESCO World Heritage Site – an Instagram-worthy view certain to take your breath away. And in the Market Place you will discover the extraordinary Durham Town Hall - central to life in Durham City for more than 650 years.

The county is also home to buildings as breathtaking as the exhibits within. Explore themed galleries that showcase stunning collections of art, fashion and design at The Bowes Museum. At nearby Raby, discover one of England’s finest medieval castles with its stunning 18th century Walled Gardens. Or head to Bishop Auckland to explore Auckland Castle, part of The Auckland Project, and one of the best preserved bishops’ palaces in Europe.

Kynren - an Epic Tale of England

Summer sees the return of Kynren, named in TripAdvisor's "Top 5 performances to see in the UK". Travel through time and watch legends come to life in a thrilling tale told on an epic scale on the 7.5-acre outdoor stage. New for 2021 - 11Arches Park offers visitors a jam-packed afternoon with new immersive attractions and electrifying show on the panoramic stage.

Family Fun

Locomotion
At Locomotion discover highlights from the national collection of railway vehicles in the world’s first railway town, and get up close to incredible feats of engineering.

Children will be amazed by Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, where they will experience the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of times gone by.  And at Killhope, families will have fun discovering what life was like for the 19th century lead miners of the North Pennines, with free admission for 2021!

Durham’s great outdoors

Cycling routes for all the family

For a spectacular sight, head to High Force in the Durham Dales, one of England’s most incredible waterfalls. Or discover the majesty of Durham’s dark skies; the county is home to 12 of the 16 official Dark Sky Discovery Sites in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Hamsterley Forest is a magnet for mountain bikers. Take on exhilarating trails or enjoy the forest at your own pace with its multi-user path. And at Derwent Waterside Park you can spot wildlife from the water’s edge.

Explore the dramatic Durham Heritage Coast as the coastal path winds its way through a colourful mosaic of flora and fauna - and enjoy incredible views along the way. And even in the heart of Durham City you can take some tranquil time out. Stroll along the banks of the River Wear to view the city from a different perspective, or head to the Durham University Botanic Garden and discover something new around every corner.

The Bowes Museum

If you prefer shopping to sightseeing, head to Dalton Park, the biggest outlet shopping centre in the North East. Take in the charm of Durham City with its historic indoor market hall and fantastic independent retailers, or head to one of the county’s market towns, each with their own unique shopping experience.

Plan your amazing day (or stay!) in Durham at: thisisdurham.com/worththewait

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!
Due to national restrictions some of the attractions featured may remain closed, for now, and the content is intended for inspiration for a future visit. The businesses that have re-opened may have done so with reduced facilities, opening hours or new pre-booking requirements. We advise checking directly with businesses prior to travel.

Planning on exploring Durham's coast or countryside?

We are asking everyone to please be responsible and #lovedurham safely. Adhere to national guidelines and always follow the Countryside Code - Respect, Protect and Enjoy.

Visit www.thisisdurham.com/covid-19 for the latest information and advice on visiting Durham.

All images © Visit County Durham; Locomotion image © Locomotion