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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 > Things to Do > Attractions > Family Fun > Family Attractions & Activities

Family Attractions & Activities

Durham has plenty to offer your little ones, take a look at the list below.

this is featured

Autumn hills at North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

North Pennines National Landscape

The North Pennines National Landscape incorporates much of the Durham Dales, and is a stunning…

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Young girl playing indoor mini-golf with help from two adults under colorful lighting.

The Hole in Wand

Discover the Magic at The Hole In Wand – Dalton Park! Step into a world of wonder at The Hole…

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Raby Castle gardens with castle in background

Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

Welcome to Raby Castle, Park and Gardens. A stunning complete medieval castle in County Durham with…

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Locomotion

At Locomotion you can see highlights of the national collection of railway vehicles in the world’s…

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The Auckland Project

The Auckland Project is unique collection of heritage attractions, galleries, gardens and parkland…

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Beamish - The Living Museum of the North

Discover an amazing journey through time at Beamish Museum as you travel back in time to the 1820s,…

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Weardale Museum

Small but fascinating volunteer run folk museum with an amazing collection including the beautiful…

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Durham University Botanic Garden

Set in countryside and mature woodland. Plant collections from North America, Himalayas and China,…

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Durham Cathedral

Thought by many to be the finest example of Norman church architecture in England, with the tombs…

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The Bowes Museum

There’s always something great to see and do at The Bowes Museum.  With more than 58,000 items in…

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Diggerland

Diggerland is the UK’s most unique construction-themed adventure park where guests can drive, ride…

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PrevPrev
  • 1North Pennines National Landscape
  • 2The Hole in Wand
  • 3Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  • 4Locomotion
  • 5The Auckland Project
  • 6Beamish - The Living Museum of the North
  • 7Weardale Museum
  • 8Durham University Botanic Garden
  • 9Durham Cathedral
  • 10The Bowes Museum
  • 11Diggerland
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Number of results: 33

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  1. 'Lily of Lumley' - Escape Rooms Durham at Lumley Castle

    Add Escape Rooms Durham - Lily of Lumley to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 468 reviews468 reviews

    Escape Rooms Durham - Lily of Lumley

    Type

    Type:

    Attraction

    Chester-le-Street

    Lumley Castle holds a secret. For centuries the halls and passageways have been said to be haunted by Lily Of Lumley. You and your team are here to investigate the haunting and solve the mystery. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Escape Rooms Durham - Lily of Lumley
  2. 25% off voucher for Diggerland Durham

    Add Diggerland to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 765 reviews765 reviews

    Diggerland

    Type

    Type:

    Adventure Park / Playground

    Langley Park

    Diggerland is the UK’s most unique construction-themed adventure park where guests can drive, ride and operate earth-moving machinery in a safe and family friendly environment. There's one right here in Durham and you can save money off pay on the…

    Dates

    From:
    11 Feb 2026to30 Oct 2026

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Green Tourism Awards - Bronze 2025Green Tourism Awards - Bronze
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for Diggerland
  3. Carved wooden sculpture depicting a Dragonfly

    Add Hardwick Park Sculpture Trail to your Itinerary

    Hardwick Park Sculpture Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Sedgefield

    Six wetland-inspired oak pieces, designed and carved by north east artists Lee and Jill Brewster.  The artworks, depicting a dragonfly, frog and other wetland animals, were commissioned by the Discover Brightwater Landscape Project team.  

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Hardwick Park Sculpture Trail
  4. Girl looking through a magnifying glass into a bug pot

    Add RSPB Saltholme to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 494 reviews494 reviews

    RSPB Saltholme

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Middlesbrough

    RSPB Saltholme is the perfect place if you’re new to birdwatching or want to get out in nature. Our family-friendly wetlands have a helpful visitor's centre and hides which let you get up close to water rail, avocet and terns, plus a cafe, play area…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Nov 2025to31 Mar 2026Open 09:30 - 16:00
    From:
    1 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 09:30 - 17:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2021VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous VisitEngland Gold Accolade 2023VisitEngland Gold Accolade
    More info for RSPB Saltholme
  5. Fishburn front street, Tree, village green, houses, road

    Add Fishburn & Bishop Middleham Circular Walk to your Itinerary

    Fishburn & Bishop Middleham Circular Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Fishburn

    Experience this rare landscape and ancient species, and journey through the first stronghold of the Prince Bishops.  A Discover Brightwater walk suitable for children/families.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Fishburn & Bishop Middleham Circular Walk
  6. Walks around Ushaw - The Boundary Walk

    Add Walks around Ushaw - The Boundary Walk to your Itinerary

    Walks around Ushaw - The Boundary Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Durham

    This walk is currently closed for maintenance.​​​​​​

    ​​​​​​​​​​Come and enjoy a 3-mile circular route around the Ushaw estate, starting at the main house and taking in the old hilltop with wide-open views of Durham’s countryside.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Walks around Ushaw - The Boundary Walk
  7. H2O at Witton Country Park

    Add H2O Riders to your Itinerary

    H2O Riders

    Type

    Type:

    Activity Centre

    Witton-le-Wear

    Embark on an unforgettable outdoors adventure with paddle boarding, kayaking, or a thrilling water bike ride at the premier water sports hire centre at Witton Castle Activity Lake in County Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025 2025TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards 2025
    More info for H2O Riders
  8. Young girl playing indoor mini-golf with help from two adults under colorful lighting.

    Add The Hole in Wand to your Itinerary

    The Hole in Wand

    Type

    Type:

    Adventure / Mini Golf

    Seaham

    Discover the Magic at The Hole In Wand – Dalton Park!

    Step into a world of wonder at The Hole In Wand, County Durham’s most magical mini-golf adventure! Following the spellbinding success of our York, Blackpool, and Chester locations, we’re…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for The Hole in Wand
  9. Flowers, Bullrushes, Grass, Trees

    Add Ferryhill Carrs & Thrislington Circular Walk to your Itinerary

    Ferryhill Carrs & Thrislington Circular Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Ferryhill

    Follow the path of the ancient glacier to discover two protected reserves.  A Discover Brightwater Walk suitable for Children/Families.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Ferryhill Carrs & Thrislington Circular Walk
  10. Prince Bishop River Cruiser and Browns Rowing Boats

    Add Prince Bishop River Cruiser and Browns Rowing Boats to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 201 reviews201 reviews

    Prince Bishop River Cruiser and Browns Rowing Boats

    Type

    Type:

    Boat Trip

    Durham City

    The Prince Bishop River Cruiser offers cruises with spectacular views of historic Durham City, Cathedral, Castle and Bridges and evening cruises with a difference twelve months of the year.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026
    More info for Prince Bishop River Cruiser and Browns Rowing Boats
  11. Moor House Activity Centre

    Add Moor House Activity Centre to your Itinerary

    Moor House Activity Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Activity Centre

    Houghton-le-Spring

    We provide tailor made outdoor education solutions for everyone.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Moor House Activity Centre
  12. Hayley Crawshaw dancing whilst wild swimming in the Thames

    Little Blue Pootles - Guided Swim Hikes

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Adventure Activities

    and North East England,

    Tailor made guided wild swimming walks, instant book packaged taster sessions, and shorter wild swim experiences, in the North Pennines, and beyond.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Little Blue Pootles - Guided Swim Hikes
  13. Children and adults on mountain bikes - Forestry England/Crown copyright

    Add Squirrel Chaser Blue Cycle Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Squirrel Chaser Blue Cycle Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Cycle Route

    Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland

    Hit the trails at Hamsterley Forest this Easter! Forestry England is delighted to announce the opening of a brand–new, blue (moderate) grade off-road cycle trail at Hamsterley Forest, County Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Apr 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Squirrel Chaser Blue Cycle Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  14. Children in Hamsterley Forest searching for stick characters on The Stickman Man Trail. Credit Forestry England Crown Copyright

    Add The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland

    Families can join a new forest adventure as the much-loved character Stick Man, based on the beautiful picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, returns to Forestry England Hamsterley.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Feb 2025to31 Jan 2026
    More info for The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  15. YuMe World Durham

    Add YuMe World Durham to your Itinerary

    YuMe World Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Family Activity Centre

    Durham City

    Get ready for an extraordinary arcade experience at YuMe World Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for YuMe World Durham
  16. Image of three children outside the Temple of Minerva at Hardwick Park.

    Add Self-Led Love Exploring Trails: Roman Game at Hardwick Park to your Itinerary

    Self-Led Love Exploring Trails: Roman Game at Hardwick Park

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Sedgefield

    Try our bespoke new game to learn more about Hardwick Park's East Park and the unique Roman settlement that was found there.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Self-Led Love Exploring Trails: Roman Game at Hardwick Park
  17. Durham Cathedral view from riverbank with river and woodland

    Add The Durham City Seven Hills Trail to your Itinerary

    The Durham City Seven Hills Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Route

    Durham City

    This trail passes through the many varied landscapes that encircle the City, while offering encounters with the City’s rich history and heritage. There are beautiful historic woodlands, a famous battle site, the site of an iron age fort, a Victorian…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for The Durham City Seven Hills Trail
  18. Performers

    Add Durham Fringe Festival to your Itinerary

    Durham Fringe Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival & Events Organisers

    Durham

    The 2025 Durham Fringe Festival will return 23rd to 27th July.  The North East's biggest recognised fringe festival – featuring the best in dance, drama, magic, music, poetry, stand-up comedy and more. 

    Dates

    From:
    23 July 2026to27 July 2026
    More info for Durham Fringe Festival
  19. Explore the North East the Active Way Poster

    Go Smarter, Go Active Travel Itineraries

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Get out and about in beautiful Durham!

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Go Smarter, Go Active Travel Itineraries
  20. An historic steam train on Tanfield Railway in County Durham.

    Add Tanfield Railway to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 491 reviews491 reviews

    Tanfield Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Railway

    Tanfield

    Oldest existing railway in the world, opened 1725. Steam-hauled passenger trains, vintage carriages, 61 locomotives and steam-driven vintage workshop. Please see website for dates and operating times.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Trip Advisor Travellers Choice 2023 2023Trip Advisor Travellers Choice 2023
    More info for Tanfield Railway
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