VISIT COUNTY DURHAM
Places to visit and things to do in County Durham including visitor attraction websites with opening times and prices. There are also links to our unique pages exploring the North East.
Always check opening times before visiting
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AUCKLAND PALACE
Medieval palace sometimes known as Auckland Castle and historically the residence of the Bishops of Durham. Part of the Auckland Project. Close by is a charming Gothic style deer house.
Bishop Auckland, DL14 7NP
Visit the Auckland Castle website for opening times
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BARNARD CASTLE
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
The ruins of this castle overlook a bridge across the Tees in the historic town that is also called Barnard Castle.
Barnard Castle DL12 8PR
Visit the English Heritage website for opening times
Explore Barnard Castle and Raby
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BINCHESTER ROMAN FORT
‘Vinovia’ has one of the best preserved Roman military bath houses in Britain. Situated in the lovely Durham countryside on the ancient Roman road called Dere Street.
Binchester, Bishop Auckland DL14 7QG
Visit the Binchester website for opening times
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BOWES CASTLE
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Twelfth century keep built in the reign of Henry II on site of a Roman fort. Protected the eastern entrance to the Stainmore Gap through the Northern Pennines.
Bowes village DL12 9LG
Visit the English Heritage website for opening times
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BRANCEPETH CASTLE
Castle in a lovely old village to the south west of Durham City hosting craft fairs and weddings. Open to the public at certain times of the year.
Durham City DH7 8DF
Visit the Brancpeth Castle website for more details
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CROOK HALL AND GARDENS
(NATIONAL TRUST)
Medieval house, with extensive gardens and a ghost.
Sidegate, Durham City DH1 5SZ
Visit the National Trust website for opening times
Explore Durham City from Framwellgate to Finchale.
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DURHAM CASTLE
Dating from Norman times this was the historic seat of the Prince Bishops. Part of Durham University since the 1830s. Facing across Palace Green to Durham Cathedral, the castle can be explored through guided tours.
Palace Green, Durham City DH1 3RW
Visit the Durham Castle website for tour times
Explore our Durham Castle page
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DURHAM CATHEDRAL
Stunning Norman Cathedral dating from 1093 and built to house the shrine of St Cuthbert. One of the finest cathedral in Europe. A must-see sight of the region.
Palace Green, Durham City DH1 3EH
Visit the Durham Cathedral website for opening times
Explore our Durham Cathedral page
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DURHAM HERITAGE CENTRE
Museum situated close to Durham Cathedral and set within an historic church dedicated to the heritage of Durham.
St Mary-le-Bow Church, North Bailey, Durham City DH1 3ET
Visit the Heritage Centre website for opening times
Explore Durham Castle and the Bailey
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OLD DURHAM GARDENS
Terraced garden established more than three-hundred-and-fifty years ago. The terrace and neighbouring orchard can be explored at any time. The walled garden above them is open at set times.
Old Durham, Durham City, DH1 2RY
Visit the Old Durham Gardens website for opening times
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DURHAM : BROWNS BOATS
AND PRINCE BISHOP RIVER CRUISE
Cruise up and down the river seeing some of Durham and hearing of its history. Also rowing boats for hire from the boathouse.
Boathouse, Elvet Bridge, Durham City DH1 3AF
Visit the website for opening times
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DURHAM UNIVERSITY ORIENTAL MUSEUM
Fabulous museum dedicated to the art and archaeology of the east including Egypt, China and Japan.
Elvet Hill, Durham City, DH1 3TH
Visit website for opening times
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UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM BOTANICAL GARDEN
Beautiful botanic gardens and mature woodlands. Hidden trail for kids.
Hollingside Lane, Durham City DH1 3TN
Visit website for opening times
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DURHAM DALES CENTRE
Range of outlets in the town of Stanhope at the heart Weardale, including craft and gift shops.
Durham Dales Centre, Stanhope DL13 2FJ
Visit the Dales Centre website for opening times
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EGGLESTONE ABBEY
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Lovely abbey ruins on the banks of the River Tees to the south east of the town of Barnard Castle.
Barnard Castle, DL12 9TN
Visit the English Heritage website for opening times
Explore Barnard Castle and Raby
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ESCOMB CHURCH
In the village of Escomb near Bishop Auckland, this is one of the oldest churches in Britain, dating from the seventh century.
Escomb DL14 7SY
Visit the Escomb website for opening times
Explore the Bishop Auckland area
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FINCHALE PRIORY
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Lovely riverside ruins of a monastery that formed an outlying cell or ‘holiday retreat’ for monks from Durham Cathedral.
Brasside DH1 5SH
Visit the Finchale website for opening times
Explore Finchale and the Durham area
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KILLHOPE NORTH OF ENGLAND LEAD MINING MUSEUM
North of England Lead Mining Museum at former lead mine on Killhope Burn in Upper Weardale.
THIS MUSEUM IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Cowshill, Killhope DL13 1AR
Visit the Killhope website for opening times
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LOCOMOTION
NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM AT SHILDON
Locomotion is the North East’s very own branch of the National Railway Museum, in what is arguably the world’s oldest railway town. Significant collection of locomotives and a number of nearby historic buildings associated with the famed Stockton and Darlington Railway.
Shildon DL4 2RE
Visit website for opening times
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LUMLEY CASTLE HOTEL
A hotel set within medieval castle associated with the Lumley family. Near the River Wear close to the town of Chester-le-Street.
Lumley Castle, Chester-le-Street DH3 4NX
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PIERCEBRIDGE ROMAN BRIDGE
(ENGLISH HERITAGE)
Traces of a Roman bridge in field south of the Tees with the traces of a Roman fort on north side of the river.
Piercebridge DL2 3SY
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RABY CASTLE, PARK AND GARDENS
Beautiful fourteenth century castle at the gateway to Teesdale with a herd of deer in the surrounding park. Historically associated with the Neville family and more recently with the Lords Barnard. One of the best castles in the region.
Staindrop DL2 3AH
Visit the Raby Castle website for opening times
Explore Barnard Castle and Raby
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ROKEBY PARK
Palladian style house of the 1730s once associated with the Morritt family. It was once the home to the famed ‘Rokeby Venus’ painting and is the setting for the Sir Walter Scott poem, ‘Rokeby’
Barnard Castle DL12 9RZ
Visit the Rokeby Park website for opening times
Explore Barnard Castle and Raby
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TANFIELD RAILWAY
Dating from 1725. Regular steamings on the oldest existing railway in the world. Nearby Causey Arch of 1727 in a beautiful setting is the world’s oldest surviving railway bridge, though no longer crossed by a railway.
Sunniside NE16 5ET
Visit the Tanfield website for train times
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WEARDALE RAILWAY
Working heritage railway following part of the historic Stockton & Darlington Railway.
Stanhope DL13 2YS
Visit the Weardale Railway website for train times
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WHITWORTH HALL ESTATE AND DEER PARK
Ancestral home of Bobby Shafto, now a hotel in a secluded deer park.
Whitworth Hall Country Park, Spennymoor DL16 7QX
Visit the Whitworth Hall website for opening times
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WITTON CASTLE COUNTRY PARK
Fifteenth century castle at centre of country park and caravan park.
Witton-le-Wear DL14 0DE
Visit the Witton Castle website for opening times
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BEAMISH
THE LIVING MUSEUM OF THE NORTH
One of the wonders of the region. Extraordinary, open-air living museum. Features include a 1900s town, railway station, pit village and colliery, a 1940s farm, a 1950s town and 1820s railway and Georgian manor house.
Beamish, County Durham DH9 0RG
Visit the Beamish Museum website for opening times
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BOWES MUSEUM
Beautiful purpose-built museum built in the style of a French Chateau during the nineteenth century by John and Josephine Bowes with outstanding collections of art.
The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle DL12 8NP
Visit the Bowes Museum website for opening times
Explore Barnard Castle and Raby
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BOWLEES VISITOR CENTRE
Waterfalls and picnic area in Teesdale including the Summerhill Force waterfall at Gibson’s Cave.
Bowlees, Middleton-in-Teesdale DL12 0XE
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BRANDON TO BISHOP AUCKLAND PATH
Follows the course of an old railway from Bishop Auckland to Broompark near Durham City.
Durham City DH7 7RJ
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BROOM HOUSE FARM
Visitor farm featuring an adventure woodland for children.
Broom House Farm, Witton Gilbert DH7 6TR
Visit the Broom House Farm website
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CASTLE EDEN DENE NATURE RESERVE
At least twelve miles of walks in a managed ancient wooded valley running down to the sea.
Castle Eden Dene, Peterlee TS27
Castle Eden Dene Woodland Trust website
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CAULDRON SNOUT WATERFALL
Series of cataracts on the River Tees in upper Teesdale formed by the Great Whin Sill. The whole cascade forms the highest waterfall in England. The Pennine Way runs through the area and the waterfall is situated beneath the dam of the placid Cow Green Reservoir.
Middleton-in-Teesdale DL12 0JA
Visit website for opening times
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CONSETT AND SUNDERLAND RAILWAY PATH
Part of the C2C Cycle Route, the Consett and Sunderland Railway path is 20 miles long and much of it follows the course of the old Stanhope and Tyne Railway.
Visit website for opening times
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DEERNESS VALLEY RAILWAY WALK
Wooded walk following former railway.
Durham City DH7 7RJ
Visit website for opening times
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DERWENT WALK COUNTRY PARK
Woodland country park set around Derwent Walk which follows course of an old railway line.
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DURHAM HERITAGE COAST
Unusual grasslands and habitat plus many caves and denes cut into the rocks of this national nature reserve.
Seaham, Durham SR7 7PS
Visit the Durham Coast website for more details
Explore Seaham and the Durham Coast
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HALL HILL FARM
Farm for family visits set in rolling Durham countryside.
Satley, Lanchester DH7 0TA
Visit Hall Hill Farm website for opening times
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HAMSTERLEY FOREST
Beautiful forest in County Durham noted for its walks, wildlife and mountain bike trails.
Hamsterley Forest Visitor Centre DL13 3NL
Visit the Hamsterley Forest website for opening times
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HARDWICK HALL COUNTRY PARK
Landscaped park with notable follies, lakes and visitor centre. Designed by James Paine. Hosts outdoor events.
Hardwick Park Visitor Centre, Sedgefield TS21 2DN
Visit the Hardwick Park website for opening times
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HIGH FORCE WATERFALL
One of Teesdale’s most spectacular sights, the 70 feet high waterfall is arguably England’s biggest. It is reached by a short woodland walk through the Tees gorge.
Middleton-in-Teesdale DL12 0XH
Visit the High Force website for opening times
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HOLMSIDE PARK
Family farm plus play barn with indoor activities.
West Edmondsley Farm, Durham City DH7 6EY
Visit Holmnside Park website for opening times
Explore the Chester-le-Street area
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LOW BARNS NATURE RESERVE
Nature reserve with ponds, lakes and woodland near the River Wear.
Witton-le-Wear, DL14 0AG
Visit the Durham Wildlife Trust website for more details
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ADVENTURE VALLEY
Family fun adventure. Indoor and outdoor play with over forty attractions.
Brasside, Durham City DH1 5SG
Visit the Adventure Valley website for opening times
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DIGGERLAND
Ride and operate full size construction machinery.
Riverside Industrial Estate, Langley Park DH7 9TT
Visit the Diggerland website for opening times
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INFINITE AIR
The UK’s largest indoor trampoline park.
New Ferens Park, Durham City DH1 1GG
Visit the Infnite Air website for opening times
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EMIRATES CRICKET GROUND
Venue for Durham County Cricket Club and international cricket.
Riverside, Chester-le-Street DH3 3QR
Visit the website for opening times
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GALA THEATRE
Theatre and cinema.
Millennium Place, Durham City DH1 1WA
Visit the Gala Theatre website for what’s on
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The above map is interactive. Select and click on any region on the map to discover attractions in your chosen area.
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EXPLORE COUNTY DURHAM
Our County Durham pages cover the region in depth exploring the towns, villages, rivers and history of the region.
All photos © David Simpson englandsnortheast.co.uk
Durham Castle and Palace Green
Neville’s Cross, Framwellgate to Finchale
Lanchester and the Browney Valley
Stanley, Annfield Plain, Tanfield
West Auckland, Gaunless Valley
Merrington, Ferryhill, Rushyford
Spennymoor, Croxdale, Whitworth
Gainford, Piercebridge, Coniscliffe
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