Spectacular summer of events in Durham

Durham has a packed year-round calendar of events, but this summer’s programme is one of the most exciting yet as history and heritage is brought to life at amazing attractions and events across the county.

Be amazed by Kynren – an epic tale of England

There are still TEN opportunities to see Kynren in 2016. Bishop Auckland exploded into life earlier this month with the launch of this epic live show that is truly spectacular and must be seen to be appreciated.

You’ll be joined by up to 8,000 people as 2,000 years of history is played out in front of you by a cast and crew of 1,000 people – many of whom are local volunteers.

Experience Open Treasure at Durham Cathedral

After three years in the making, Open Treasure at Durham Cathedral is finally open to the public.

Journey through the UK’s most intact surviving set of medieval monastic buildings, including the majestic Monks’ Dormitory and spectacular Great Kitchen, and discover 2,000 years of history as the remarkable story of Durham Cathedral and its incredible collections is revealed.

With interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages and a rolling exhibition programme in the state-of-the-art Collections Gallery, Open Treasure is the new must-see visitor attraction in Durham City.

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See the Flying Scotsman at Locomotion

Until Sunday 31st July you can see the nation’s favourite locomotive at Locomotion, the National Railway Museum at Shildon, as the Flying Scotsman has steamed into town, bringing some very special guest engines with it for the Shildon Shed Bash - an event inspired by the famous ‘Shed Bashes’ of the 1950s and 60s when train spotters would visit a railway shed by fair means or foul, and try to see every locomotive.

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1916: From Durham to the Western Front

A hundred years on, this commemorative exhibition explores the reality of the Battle of the Somme through the eyes of the people from Durham who were there.  With over 1 million casualties, the popular view of the offensive is of brave young soldiers and callous generals, doomed attacks and senseless slaughter.

But is this view mistaken? What really happened in 1916?

Somme 1916: From Durham to the Western Front tells the stories of the people from County Durham caught up in the battle: the men who fought and died on the battlefield; the women who nursed the wounded and comforted the dying; and the workers who toiled in factories, mines and shipyards across the county to support the war effort.

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1916: No Turning Back

You can follow a soldier to the Front and in this brand new interactive walk-through experience at the Gala Theatre in Durham City.

Read our blog for more information on this one.

Step into the shoes exhibition at The Bowes Museum

Hot on the heels of last year’s Yves Saint Laurent exhibition, The Bowes Museum has pulled off another major fashion coup for this summer; the Museum is the only UK venue outside London staging Shoes, Pleasure and Pain before it tours internationally to the USA and China. The exhibition explores the agony and the ecstasy of footwear throughout 2,000 years of history; it also examines the elation and passion they can arouse in the wearer.

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See more summer events here >

Plan your summer break at thisisdurham.com/summer