About
During this year’s Summer Holidays, we’ll be celebrating nature, arts and moving parts!
Daily, 10am – 4pm included with admission:
Summer Garden Trail – With two trails in the garden this year, there are fun movement activities for people with energy to burn, or a peaceful prompt for those who want to take a pause.
Summer Indoor Bunny Trail – Our bunnies are getting ready for their summer holidays, can you find the bunnies as they get ready to pack into their luggage.
Train Toy Takeover – Heaps of track and trains for your young engineers to construct and play to their hearts content.
Outdoor Games & Activities – Football goals, Hula Hooping, Badminton, Space Hoppers and much more on the Bounds field.
Woodland Playpark – Explore our Woodland Playpark next to the Bounds field.
Dates throughout Summer:
Free Crafts | Mon 22 July, Fri 2, Tue 6, Mon 12, Weds 21 & Fri 30 August, various times - please see event page
Come and join us to make some free papercrafts inspired by the Humanimals exhibition in the gallery. Included with Annual Membership or Day Pass, no pre-booking required.
Movie Madness | Mon 22 July & Fri 30 August, 10:30am – 12pm
Kick back, relax and enjoy a family movie in our stunning Victorian Theatre! Pre-booking required via the Ushaw website.
Magical Mosaics | Tue 23 July & Thurs 1, Thurs 8 & Thurs 22 & Weds 28 August, various times
Create your own mosaic coaster using tumbled glass in a range of shapes and colours to bring your vision to life. All equipment provided, just bring yourself! Pre-booking required via the Ushaw website.
Intrepid Explorers | Weds 24, Tue 30 July, Weds 7, Thurs 15 & Thurs 29 August, various times
Make yourself a backpack and some binoculars before going on an expedition in our beautiful gardens to collect information and samples, just like the explorers whose journeys are in our library. Pre booking required via the Ushaw website.
Garden Fairies | Weds 24, Tue 30 July, Weds 7, Thurs 15 & Thurs 29 August, various times
Inspired by our beautiful gardens, come and make yourself a natural wand, headdress and fairy notebook before fluttering off to enjoy the grounds. Pre booking required via the Ushaw website.
Stop Motion Animation | Tue 6 & 13 August, 10am – 12pm
Are you the next great animator? Come and make your own short film using stop motion in our newly refurbished creative space. All equipment provided, just bring your creativity! Pre booking required via the Ushaw website.
Summertime Guided Walks | Tue 23 July, Fri 16 & Weds 21 August, 10:30am – 11:30am
Explore Ushaw’s paths and grounds as we walk together. Two walks running, one suitable for toddlers and pushchairs and one for more enthusiastic walkers exploring some new paths on the estate. Friendly and low key, bring yourselves and your suncream/waterproofs! Pre booking required via the Ushaw website.
Activate Theatre’s Drama Day | Mon 19 & Tue 20 August, 10am – 12pm & 2pm – 4pm
Join Ushaw-based studio holder, Activate Theatre for their Drama Day! Suitable for 4-7 year olds & 8-11 year olds, no prior experience required, just come and have fun. Pre booking required via the Ushaw website.
Woodland Wednesdays | Weds 31 July & Weds 14 August, 10:30am – 12pm
Woodland Wednesday is a child-led, imagination fuelling, creative activity taking place in natural woodland. Pre booking required via the Ushaw website.
Singing Bunnies | Fri 9 & Weds 28 August, various times
Enjoy our fun filled music class for children and their grown ups. Sing, dance, shake, rattle and bang along with talented local musician Rachel Purcell. Pre booking required via the Ushaw website.
Saturday Young Stitchers | Saturday 17 August, 1pm – 3pm
Young Stitchers welcomes all abilities to hone their skills with the support of very experienced and skilled members of the ‘Take a Stitch 2 Durham’ group. Pre booking required via the Ushaw website.