The 21 best things to do with kids in Durham

This' a UNESCO world heritage site and it's a must visit. The experience was beyond words. I would recommend to walk from the Durham Market Place square, Sadler St & Owengate to experience the buildings of the old town. The Durham Castle is also accessible from the same route.

As someone deeply interested in Christian churches and cathedrals, I can confidently say this is one of the most impressive cathedrals I’ve ever visited. The design is breathtaking, and its location adds to its grandeur it's truly one of the largest in the UK. The historic architecture evokes a sense of awe and reverence, almost melting you into the past. This cathedral has witnessed many wars and even houses a copy of the Magna Carta, which adds to its historical significance. Entry is free, although some areas require a ticket to access. The staff are numerous and always present, maintaining cleanliness and offering assistance when needed. You can pray inside, and the inscriptions on the walls are genuinely enchanting. Just beside the cathedral stands Durham Castle, making the visit even more worthwhile. This place absolutely deserves a visit you won’t regret it. A heartfelt thank you to the staff for their dedication and care.

This is a lovely cathedral to visit, in a lovely University town. It is packed with interesting objects to look at and is mercifully less crowded than some of the more famous cathedrals. For a small fee you can also climb up the tallest tower for a magnificent view of the town and surrounding countryside.

Would definitely recommend booking characterful city walk with Tom. The best storyteller, great with getting group participation, lots of information and details of by gone times about Durham. The walk was approximately 90 mins and at a meandering pace, all over little pockets of the city.

Absolutely beautiful. I loved the stain glass window. The history. The chapels. The size. Really everything about it was magnificent. Magnifying God and revealing how much faith was important

Don't normally like to pay to visit churches, but it's a donation and felt like excellent value given the significance and history of Durham Cathedral. Paid extra for the Magna Carta exhibit and again, worth the money and a real treat.

A stunningly beautiful Cathedral. Worth visiting from far and wide. Many positive messages about love, compassion and humanity dotted throughout the Cathedral, the power of religion at its best.

Lovely garden. Lots of beautiful trees. I liked the sculptures too. Rain forest etc was great, the giant lily pads were amazing. Food in the coffee shop was fresh and tasty and very reasonably priced.

We had a lovely time on a beautiful sunny day. There was free parking. The grounds are quite extensive so there is plenty of walking if that is what you want to do. The glasshouse and café are at the entrance with a garden area just outside if you do not want to explore as far. There are plenty of interesting things to see and information to read as you go around. It is a place you can go back to and become familiar with. There is an entrance fee, though it is not very expensive. It would be easy to spend a couple of hours here, just taking in the surroundings and relaxing.

Lovely and peaceful place.Plenty to see. Particularly enjoyed the fish in the greenhouse and the birdhide. Good amenities with cafe, toilets, giftshop and parking. Can take as long as you want and just enjoy the surroundings. Loads of benches throughout to relax on. Pretty decent selection in the cafe.

Beautiful gardens and lots of walkways . Lovely open spaces , trails and fact finding activities for children . Great cafe . Well worth a visit great family day out . Only downsize is the till you pay entry too is also the cafe till so there's queues and the toilet are quite small and cramped .

Lovely and calm gardens. The picnic area is adorable. The walking trail with all sorts of trees is incredible. The greenhouse itself is small, but well maintained.

A great visit for £5. £4.50 for concessions and over 60s. There's a tropical rainforest structure, which was amazing. You can push a button for a blast of mist to water the plants. There's a huge trail to walk and info boards to tell you about the plants and trees. It was a lovely day when we went. I would consider good footwear if it's damp. A great visit that I highly recommend. The reception also serves food and drinks and there's indoor and outdoor seating. Quite a large car park so plenty of parking.

Very pleasant. Trees, shrubs, cacti etc with labels telling what they are. Obviosly an Educational site. Nice soup. Worth a visit. Pensioners for £4.50

I had a day trip in Durham and I chose to visit this place first - if I have another chance, I would do it again and spend longer time here. It is such a lovely, educational place. The museum seems small but if you slow down, you can easily spend more than half day here. They also have interactive activities or kids and special educational sessions for schoolers. The staff there are very kind and nice. Impressive!!

Underrated gem of Durham, the collection itself is phenomenal, with one of the best Ancient Egypt collections I’ve seen outside of London that deserves special mention. A large part of the museum is aimed at children, with lots of hands-on activities designed to make the exhibits relevant and appealing to kids. Compared to similar museums I’ve been to, I was impressed by how comprehensive the accompanying signage was, there was nothing on display here without considerable detail, which is something I appreciate in a museum. Each of the collections was a mixture of more and less traditional items, for instance the Korea gallery included items relating to Korean calligraphy and traditional religion as well as K-pop and modern Korean dramas, again a great way of making the museum accessible to younger audiences.

The museum is small, but there are many unique exhibits. I was in Luxor Egypt a few years ago, but there was nothing left there. Today I saw several mummies from this place. For the first time I saw art made of stone and ivory. Each hall has a children's area corresponding to the theme of the exhibition, which makes this place interesting for visitors of all ages.

Excellent visit with the Family something to do for all ages and interactive play for kids. Some excellent exhibits on show throughout

We went to the Oriental Museum after visiting the Botanical Garden. Wasn't expecting much, and really wasn't expecting it to hold the kids attention. The Museum is over multiple levels, it's not massive but there is a lot packed in. We started at the top and straight into 'toys and games' where the kids loved playing chess / snakes and ladders - as well as see some of the other toys and games in other countries. They also learnt a new game in another room, where we played using giant pieces! The kids did look round some of the exhibits but they were also kept busy with various colouring in areas and an area where they got to dress up and play with some playmobil! Myself and the wife took turns supervising the play whilst the other had a look round - some really interesting pieces as we explored. My son had a good look at the Samauri outfit and old armour. Whilst I started with not expecting much, I came away with being quite impressed. Even my son said it was a good museum - which is far better than he has said about some places!! With free entry it's a good place to nip in and take a look at - and I'm glad we found time to visit!

Wow! What a hidden gem. The Oriental museum based at Durham University is FREE ENTRY, but donations welcome. The size of the museum for thousands of artifacts you think you would find in a city museum. The artifacts are from thd neopolic to modern day from Egypt, China, Japan, India East & Far East Asia; all in their own sections and explaining well on each and the history of that time. I really enjoyed, so much I'm planning on going again. Just so much information. Disabled friendly on multiple disabilities! Has a lift for all 4 floors. The museum is very child friendly from colouring in, dress up & crafts. There are toilets sells coffee & a shop. There is a small car park which us free parking and 2 disabled bays.

Superb museum, well worth a visit. Excellent collections of Oriental, Egyptian, Middle Eastern and Indian art and artefacts. They are the best and most representative collections of any UK museum except the British Museum, IMHO. The displays are well laid out, with just the right amount of information. There is comfortable seating, to rest or to contemplate your favourite piece. The staff are helpful and friendly. It's free to enter, too.

Durham Castle is well worth a visit! The route you can take is fairly short at around an hour but the price reflects this and you get some excellent information throughout. We were self guided but there are tours available. The guides are knowledgeable and bring the history of the castle to life, making it a fascinating experience in a beautiful setting. A great way to spend an hour in Durham!

Absolutely well worth the £5 entry fee, but book in advance as they sell out and don't run every day. The blonde lady who checked us in and gave us our lanyards at Palace Green Library was perhaps the nicest lady I've ever met. She talked us through where to go, what to expect and other parts of the historic UNESCO World Heritage site to visit to make a day of it. Our tour guide (I wish I could remember her name; I want to say Dia..? She was a Literature student), was very professional and knowledgeable, and guided us through a fascinating 45-minute tour of the Norman chapel, Tunstall Chapel and Gallery, Black Stairs and the Great Hall. No, you can't go in the Keep as that's a student residence, but I feel like if the people complaining on reviews did even a minute's research before they went, they wouldn't be disappointed. You could take pictures all the way around and tour groups are kept relatively small, so you get time to ask questions of your guide. We learnt so much about the history of the historic building. Well worth a visit, but do some research first!

The castle of prince bishops of Durham. Currently used as a university college. It offers guided tours during various intervals. Its good

Such a beautiful castle really recommend checking it out and getting a tour you learn so much about it and William the conqueror and much more

A castle with lots of amazing and eye-opening stories and a beautiful history that is reflected in the view. Tickets are available at the library next to the right side of the castle, with time slot booking and guided tours only. We had fun 🤩 and enjoyed every bit of it!

Durham Castle was a hidden gem ! You need to either book in advance on line or you can call in the information center between the castle and cathedral to book your tour! Tour guides take you around the rooms you can visit,remember that this is still part of Durham University. Really enjoyable visit!

Durham Castle is a very beautiful small castle. The key difference from typical historical landmarks is that it also serves as a university college—many students live here, and staff work on-site. This means that, on one hand, the tours are limited in time and access to the locations where visitors are allowed (really a few in comparison to overall premises). On the other hand, it is uncomfortable for students when a group of lingering tourists walk in their home, sometimes enters the dining hall (a large, beautiful space) at the beginning of dinner, walking around and taking photos. Since there are only a few tours each day, it is definitely advisable to book in advance online, especially during holiday seasons, school breaks, and weekends.

Gardens are beautiful although not that extensive. There is a gorgeous walled garden, an orchard with a nice shrub border and large pond, a veg patch, a hedge maze and another garden area that was being renovated when we visited but still had some parts to see. Lovely tranquil places to sit. I have to admit I thought there was actually a house to visit not just gardens, but there is just the medieval hall (an empty stone-walled room).

A ten minute walk from the Market Place . And worth the effort. The Hall itself has some striking features but is very limited. It has an utterly charming room devoted, in the main, to books. But full of lovely little nooks and crannies. The gardens at first glance seem hardly worth exploring. But they, too, are full of some delightful items. There is much here for children as well as adults to enjoy. The whole, mildly shambolic, gardens feel somewhere one can sense a personal involvement . One of the most enjoyable strolls round a garden we have had. It's very informality and little surprises...a Wendy House, and somewhere to pretend cook silly menues, for example ...are the basis of its charms. After the vastness of the Cathedral this place will restore a sense of perspective, and everyday reality.

This National Trust property is a must see! It’s not too far from the railway station (downhill) and maybe a 20 minute walk from the Market Square. There’s a good cafe near the entrance with some gluten free options. The toilets are here too complete with a second child size toilet seat, baby changing facilities and wheelchair access toilet. I visited today, halfway through October and couldn’t believe the number of plants still in flower. There are a number of smaller garden areas but my favourite was the one created by the volunteers which was just a riot of colour. An unusual feature is the maze which is created using cotoneaster-I did briefly get lost in there because a) I was on my own with no point of reference and b) I’d forgotten that I have no sense of direction…😹 It was an interesting experience but as the passages of the maze were quite narrow it’s definitely inaccessible to wheelchairs and I would not recommend attempting with small children. I met a number of volunteers working on the gardens; it is obviously very well loved. A really lovely space; highly recommended!

A hidden gem in the heart of Durham, Crook Hall Gardens is a beautifully preserved historic site that offers a peaceful and inspiring escape from the city. Managed by the National Trust, the gardens are immaculately maintained, with a charming mix of formal planting, wildflower meadows, and secluded spots that invite quiet reflection. Each area of the garden has its own unique character, from the romantic walled garden to the tranquil moat pool. The historic hall itself is a fascinating glimpse into medieval and Georgian life, and the knowledgeable staff are always on hand to share interesting insights. A lovely café on site serves quality refreshments, making it easy to spend a full afternoon here. Highly recommended for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a relaxing day out

Spent a lovely few hours here with family. So many lovely areas to explore, the children loved the games area and the bookshop was so cosy and inviting. All the staff we spoke to were super friendly and helpful and we appreciated being able to bring our puppy. We will definitely come back.

Great garden with lots to see. We also did the free Durham tour with David. Very interesting facts and places pointed out you would not find on your own

Stunning place. A bit overpriced for what it is, only takes about 30 mins to see, but nice to walk around. Peaceful, and some lovely rare flowers, if you're into that. Definitely visit in April for best blossoms.

A great little museum - easily missed but well worth the visit. The Roman assemblage from nearby Piercebridge is a particularly special collection

The Museum of Archaeology at Durham University offers a captivating exploration of the region’s rich archaeological heritage. Situated within the historic Palace Green Library, nestled between Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle, the museum provides an intimate yet comprehensive journey through time.  It stands as one of England’s oldest university museums open to the public. The museum’s collections span from prehistoric times to the post-medieval period, featuring notable artifacts such as Bronze Age tools, Roman altars, and medieval cauldrons. A highlight includes the first complete Roman Fleet Diploma discovered in the UK, underscoring the museum’s significance in Roman Britain studies.   Visitors often commend the museum for its well-organized exhibits and informative descriptions that provide clear historical context. The connection to Durham University’s active archaeological research adds depth to the experience, with some displays showcasing findings from local excavations.  While the museum is relatively small, occupying a single gallery space, it compensates with the quality and significance of its collection. Its location within the UNESCO World Heritage Site makes it an accessible and enriching stop for those exploring Durham’s historic center.   Admission is free, making it an excellent choice for history enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. Whether you’re interested in archaeology, local history, or simply seeking a cultural experience in Durham, the Museum of Archaeology offers a rewarding visit.

Staff force kids to do writing and it's not even school I was also randomly forced too and I was mad but without doing that work I would have given it a 4 or 5 star!

Small but interesting with lots of roman finds. Free to get in. Located in the library close to castle.

Its not a large museum but there's a lot of well presented exhibits in there. The Roman period collections, including the Lanchester diploma were very interesting. It would be best to prebook although it wasn't busy when I visited, midweek. Its located between the castle and cathedral, and its free entry. There's a small military museum upstairs.

This place has only just reopened, I was just passing on my way to see the Cathedral and got lucky scanning the QR code at the entrance for immediate access via Eventbrite eticket. The archaeology collection is available to view on the ground floor with an exhibition covering the history of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) on the first floor. The archaeology collection is just one small room, mainly Roman artifacts but with a brief overview of the different archaeological periods in history eg. Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age etc. My highlight was actually the DLI exhibition as it's unique to Durham and covers the history of this unit across 210 years from its formation in 1758 to its absorption into another regiment in 1968.

A free, bite size museum with a mixture of general information about stone, bronze and Roman-age Britain and items found in the area. Pop in and enjoy for an hour!

Pleasant experience on the boat with option to purchase drinks on board. Friendly staff and knowledgeable guide. Boat was very steady so unlikely for any passengers to feel sea sick. At the back of the boat, commentary sounded quiet and so at times was difficult to hear the guide. Perhaps slightly overpriced in terms of the experience provided. Seats were also a little uncomfortable.

After a walk around the city, we spotted the river cruise. Kids were very keen so off we went! Commentary was good and the cruise was fairly laid back for the hour we were out. The boat goes a little up the river in one direction (bit not too far as the river is not too deep) and then back up the river the other way to see the cathedral (but again, not too far as there is a weir!) Kids perhaps got a little impatient at times, but it was a good little cruise.

Took the grandchildren on board for the river cruise today for the final day of school holiday adventures. What a brilliant experience, learned a lot about the history of Durham from the Captain who was steering the boat while keeping us informed of all of the historic events of Durham. Bar open and enjoyed a beer during the cruise. Brilliant experience and doesn’t cost the earth. I loved it, the grandkids loved it. Highly recommended.

An hour long tour along the river with a very informative guide refreshments available on boat . A lovely way to see Durham

Lovely experience except it rained as we came back into Durham. Lovely pics

£10 per adult to have an hour’s cruise on the river. Boat has a bar and drinks are reasonably priced. There’s also commentary as well giving insightful facts about Durham’s history. It’s well worth the money. Would highly recommend.

I found the boat to be in a poor state, dirty in places, especially the toilets. We were sat at a table on the top deck, 9 of us, and then asked to move by the person booking us on, saying this table was reserved. We had booked through Fatsoma and there was no option to reserve a table. I asked how that was possible given you cant book specific seats, he said they messaged me personally, oh thats convenient I said, so you've just sorted your mates out??? We were left standing as there was no where near enough seats for the amount of people who bought tickets. Jamie the owner tried to resolve it, by sorting a table, unfortunately too little too late bud, you need to get rid of the idiot abusing his position. The table we were eventually given sat 4 people at a squeeze so the original table we were turfed out out was for 3 people! I would suggest no one book this cruise for any evening events, very poor. We left after paying £10 each to basically have the piss taken out of us!

Great place to spend a couple of hours . The grounds are beautiful and well kept. The priory is amazing , especially as it was built in the 1300 century . There are plenty of areas to have a sit down and have a picnic or if you want you can buy something at the little cafe. We noticed a few families down by the River Wear. With some play in the water.

Really nice heritage site recommend for families and any adult interested in English religious history. There's a nice coffee shop next door too.

Lovely walk thru the woods to the priory. Beautiful scenery and well kept paths round the ruins. A few boards to explain what each section was. Free heritage site. Only downside was the cafe ( not heritage) I asked clearly for lattes and a kid served me blacks. I politely asked to exchange them and the woman was quite rude and then just splashed a bit of milk in. Maybe a bad day perhaps but it left me quite deflated. Don't think I want to return with my family. Scones were nice though and prices reasonable. Parking is $4 onsite or free on cockton road.

Definitely worth the trip. Very interesting place to walk around and read about the history. Beautiful river scene, very pretty. Fairly accessible to some of the ruins.

Loved it. Tall wide stonework structures with vaulted cellars underneath, nestled next to the bubbling river. A lovely place to visit

Worth a visit if you are in the area, we called in whilst on our adventures, you can look around the priory and then go on a woodland walk, it was about a mile circular, there's also a cafe on site you can get drinks and home cooked sandwiches from.

Gorgeous place, well worth a visit, nice walk through the woods and around the ground. Toilets are out of order.

Sweet little museum just around the corner from the cathedral. Worth the £5 entry, although parts of it do look like a school history project, it’s very informative and offers a lot about the history of the area

This was a lovely find, I feel it needs better signage outside to entice passersby in as whilst we were there many were looking and saying "that's nice, I wonder what it is" and then walking away. Lots of interesting information on show, I'd have liked it to have gone back a little further into Anglo-Saxon times too, perhaps. Well worth your time and support though so go check it out.

Fantastic museum. We were completely unaware of it's existence until a nice gentleman stopped to ask if we could conplete a questionnaire for the museum. Very happy to have found such a wonderful museum, we stopped by on our way up to the cathedral. The museum could definitely benefit from announcing it's presence a bit better. Had it not have been for the questionnaire, we would have been none the wiser.

A little off the beaten track but well worth a visit, easy short walk from the cathedral, interesting time line from medieval to modern times, some games in the garden for kids.

Great little museum in the middle of Durham

===Context=== >> Family visit while visiting the city >> I really like visiting local museums ===Positives=== >> Durham has plenty of history and they do a nice job of putting the information across >> Very friendly and helpful staff. (I asked a question for which the member of staff did not have an immediate answer but he put a lot of effort into trying to find an answer) >> Good price ===Negatives=== (None) ===Notes=== >> We were there for about 40 minutes ===Conclusion=== >> Worth a visit

It's £2.50 entry to a small church which has been hastily converted into a pathetic exhibit. You couldn't call it a museum. The Spanish girl on the door was rude and unhelpful. An irrelevant vhs video is probably the oldest thing there! Fuss was made about the statues outdoors which look like a GCSE art class were let loose on trees with a chainsaw. The historical content was basically lots of printed cards talking about the pits and some old objects which even I own! It reminded me of a school project. Neither worth the time or the money.

Palace Green Library is a very interesting experience. The staff are very enthusiastic and know their subject matter. The exhibits are constantly refreshed and have a local theme throughout. I always feel so very proud of hailing from Durham when I see how the city has influenced history. The Cosin library is tucked away but the sense of history oozes from the books stored there. The treasures held within the books are in the best hands. Staff are willing to assist with any questions. They have an exceptional knowledge. They answered all my questions. I certainly left with a better knowledge of the reason for the library. There is a small gift shop which has a wealth of reasonably priced Durham related souvenirs. My grandson was suitably impressed. That in itself is a big positive. Thank you. Works are currently ongoing on the outside of the building. Dont be put off, follow the signs, it is definitely open.

A lovely woman working here, was tell me and my family lots of interesting things. So friendly and very informative

We have been to the cafe several times while visiting my son at the university. The cafe is lovely and hiden away but has good coffee and cakes.

This is the place I thought I was gonna study!! I went to Stockton on tees instead.

As a local, this was my first time in. A very interesting small display of archeology of the local area and of the D L Is history in Co.Durham. Very Good.

There is an exhibition here about the battle of the somme. Not sure which is the worse affront to humanity......the senseless waste of millions of lives or the staggeringly high prices in the cafe.

Lovely place to visit lots to see and staff and curators were very friendly and knowledgeable

Came for the tots session. Just short of £14 for 1 adult and 1 child. Arrived at 9:30 for a 2 hour full access session. The socks were included on price. We were first there staff were welcoming. It was freezing inside. Took a good hour to warm up so make sure you have a removable jumper. Plenty space to jump, a slide, basket ball hoops, soft play and peppa pug inflatable. Wasn't busy either so always able to get on things.

Kids love it. If screaming, over excitable kids, off their faces on skittles and slushies is your thing then you'll love it here!!

My great grandsons loved their visit here. I booked a two hour slot for them as they always enjoy their time there. Had drinks and massive ice cream cornets which were lush

Amazing trampoline park, jack helped me to do a front flip and to have the courage to jump off the big block . Definitely deserves a raise. I definitely recommend it food is amazing the best bit for me was the ice cream bar it's got loads of different flavours. The best trampoline defo recommend it again

Fresh, clean, and friendly. A handful of new equipment brings this place up to date with some great staff to keep the kids entertained. We attended a SEN session. It was well staffed, and the staff were incredible!! I can't find a better word. They were involved with the young people who attended and had all the time and patience as well matched energy. To see the way they interacted with the kids was amazing. If the kids or adults don't want to interact with staff. There is a digital game floor/room that uses projectors and cameras to place the person in a game, and they have to physically move to control the player. If nothing else, this is one of those places where the staff make the place what it is. On top of that, it is a really nice place with fairly priced food options.

We were there on Sunday, the staff on arrival were very helpful and friendly making us feel very welcome and checking in was easily completed. There is plenty of seating around by the various food areas, we never tried any but it did look good especially the ice creams. My daughter and her friend said it was one of the best trampoline parks they have been to with plenty of thing to do from playing in the inflatable area, to bouncing to their hearts content on the trampoline’s They even helped us get a taxi to the town centre as we had a meal to go to. Well done to everyone we had a great time.

Would have given these 6 stars if available! Absolutely brilliant from start to finish. Emma who I booked with was so king and helpful and all of the other staff were brilliant with my daughter and chatty to me also. The opposite of Jump Giants in Gateshead ( NOT Newcastle as they say) I won’t be going back to Jump Giants and it’s closer to where we live, INFINITE AIR ROCKS!! Thank you for such a lovely day we will 100% be going back!! See you soon!!!

Absolutely brilliant place , my son went with his mate , did 40 laps of the track , took around 20 minutes or so to complete. Cost £25 each but there is other options too , the staff showed them a safety video first which was around 5 minutes long. Well impressed and will go back again in which il be having a go haha

Personally I think it is a really great experience if you want to go out with your family or friends. The staff are very nice and it has a wide range of events to choose from. You don't need to be competitive though there is a leaderboard. Due to the engines being loud it is hard for the instructors and yourself to hear eachother so there can be mess ups with communication within the track. I've been here on my 13th birthday and today with my friends and I have no complaints, they keep the karts in good shape but they can malfunction for a few seconds, however that is usual for all places running a Go karting industry. Once you get the hang of it, it is a very enjoyable experience and I would go many more times in the future. It will seem hard the first time you go but the second time you will feel like you are a pro. Well done TopGear keep up the good work!

First time here for me and son, and his first go at karting. He wanted to give it a try to help him decide if he wanted his birthday party there. The staff were really nice and very helpful. They explained everything to us prior to us driving and when we had a bump, the marshall was straight over to us to make sure everything was ok. There was only us two on track. They allow up to 8 at a time. I personally would have preferred if the track was bigger for more overtaking opportunities. If there was 8 karts on the go it would be a tight squeeze. That said we had fun and would return. Thank you to the staff.

Took Grandson here as he lives karting.Very impressed the prices are good and you get kitted out and shown a video before going on the track.Thwy have viewing windows to watch the drivers go round and at the end you get to see their lap speeds.They do private bookings, birthday party bookings too. Will definitely be returning it looks good fun.

The group of us had a fantastic experience at Top Gear Karting Durham. Would 100% return.

Overall didn't fit. Pizza was like a cheap £1 Iceland Pizza. Otherwise it was great. Would definitely go again

My grandson always enjoys his experience at Top Gear Karting . The staff are all very professional and friendly . Good safety precautions and hygienic provision of kit .

10/10 experience!!! Brilliant show and kept our group fully engaged the whole time. Tom is brilliant at what he does! Would definitely recommend, will be back again!!

Received the tickets as a Xmas present so wasn’t sure what to expect. Turned out to be a brilliant experience! Quirky little venue, relaxed atmosphere and amazing range of magic from Tom, who is a great host. Still talking about some of the tricks - how did he do them? Would totally recommend this to everyone - would definitely go again! 👍

An amazing and different experience. Tom kept the room entertained all night and performed some fantastic tricks we're still struggling to figure out. Will definitely return for a future event.

Received voucher as gift and we didn't know what you expect but can now say how wonderful this show is. Incredibly entertaining, unbelievably unbelievable but true, how Tom does what he does is amazing. Great content. Unexpected outcomes and very cleverly done.

Fantastic show. Great for a family birthday treat. Our 10 year old son was mesmerised. Tom is friendly, welcoming and as well as being such a talented magician adds lots of humour too. We will be back!

My daughter and I really enjoyed the show. Tom was friendly and welcoming as well as being an extremely good magician. We were wowed by the impossible and hope to come back with the rest of the family.

Had the absolute pleasure of seeing James Piatt performing his show while Tom was away. If you can...GO!! a venue so perfect and a show so entertaining in every way. Id give it 6 stars if i could!!

First time climbing at this centre and it was amazing. would definitely come back if I lived in the area, I read some of the other reviews saying some climbs are boring and that the centre is not that big, I’ve been to over 100 centres all over the world and this centre has everything you need. Warm-up and cafe area, insane amount of wall angles which make for diverse and exciting movement, small but well-equipped training area, modern and old-school style of setting, climbs cater to all body sizes and levels and you actually have to use you brain to solve the problem not just raw-pulling, these guys know what they’re setting

Really enjoyed our family taster session today. Becks and Tom did a great job at talking us through the walls and warming us up. Would definitely recommend if your looking for a few hours out. Coffee was 10/10 👌 We look forward to returning

Unbelievable value. Great indoor and outdoor walls. Friendly staff . Will be coming back x

Durham Climbing Centre was an ideal activity for my two teenage children. We were able to drop-in and climb without pre-booking, which was great because our visit to Durham was kind of last-minute. We were warmly welcomed by a team of girls who were all happy and friendly. They also allowed us to have our small dog in the centre (on a lead). The venue was clean and tidy. They provided climbing shoes to hire too. For a fun and exciting activity visit Durham Climbing Centre!

Excellent, friendly staff, great coaches who really interact with the children and make it a pleasant experience. Great food, good drinks and well worth a visit. A very clean and tidy set up.

Second time at this centre and it's brilliant. The staff are really friendly, helpful and welcoming. It's good value and there's a range of lessons for both kids and adults available. The climbing is intimate and it's not the biggest of centres, but the routes are regularly changed and there's a good range of both easier and top level routes to try. There's a beginner area with some easier problems which is also good for a warm up. My daughter is 6 and there's plenty of opportunity for her to practice and learn on. Snacks and drinks available too and they have a solid cheese and ham toastie with sweet chilli which I have to say is top notch .. and I'm a toastie expert! Ha. EDIT Haven't been to this centre in a couple of months and realised this weekend that concession price for under 7s is £4 but now my daughter has turned 7 this jumps to £9 plus shoe hire if needed. Relatively expensive for junior climbers looking to climb frequently. Would be good if they looked at reducing this price or offering a junior membership option.

Durham Climbing Centre is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to try their hand at climbing, whether they are beginners or experienced climbers. The trainers are fantastic and offer great instruction and advice on technique, safety, and equipment. For beginners, the staff provides a comprehensive introduction to climbing, including how to use the equipment, basic safety techniques, and how to climb efficiently. They are patient and attentive, making sure that everyone feels comfortable and confident before moving on to more challenging routes. For experienced climbers, the Durham Climbing Centre offers a variety of challenging routes that will test their skills and endurance. The walls are well-maintained, and the staff is always available to offer advice on technique or to suggest new challenges. In addition to the excellent climbing facilities, Durham Climbing Centre also has a comfortable and inviting cafe, perfect for refueling after a climb or for socializing with other climbers. The cafe offers a range of snacks and drinks, including coffee and tea, as well as a selection of light meals and snacks.

Had a beautiful riverside walk through gorgeous autumnal leaves with views of the Durham castle and Durham cathedral. Lovely paths along the river Wear, being enjoyed by rowers. A walkable enjoyable city full of cafes, shops and restaurants. The cathedral is well worth a visit. We choose to go to evensong, led by traditional choristers in this awe inspiring peaceful setting. The cloisters have been used as a film set for Harry Potter.

Hubby & I parked in a disabled bay along thd riverside, just passed Riverside indoor car park; free for 3 hrs ,but no return for 4 hrs. It was the first time walking along the riverside today. Was a lovely day many people strolling, running or meeting up for lunch. On the riverside there are only steps to get to street level by the bridges for the restaurants & cafes. As a wheelchair user, my hubby got me a Cappuccino. There should be ramps, if possible. My hubby said the hii going up by the castle is steep. Apart from the state of some of the water, the riverside is relaxing seeing the numerous birds, especially by the waterflow bit. The season of spring bringing life to the greenery and some area of flowers.

Quiet riverside walk, with nice scenery. Specifically the cathedral and castle, but also the river itself from the bridges.

The walk is a lovely, flat 45 minutes stroll through woods, and away from traffic, around the river bend that houses the castle and cathedral. Google here is a bit confusing as the walk is actually on the 8 side of the river bank. However, for the best views cross over Prebends Bridge and head to the boathouse or corn mill for the perfect photo stop.

Visiting Durham today after many years we had a number of things that we wanted to do; walking alongside the river was top of the list. Although it was quite a grey day it didn’t detract from the peace and quiet as we walked along the path. The path itself is flat but as we’ve had lots of rain in recent weeks in places it was quite slippery with slimy leaf mould. Walking alongside the river as it meanders gives many totally different views of the city. If you are visiting Durham (and are looking for a stroll away from the many cobbles/slopes/hills and steps) this is the place to be.

Lovely walk below the Cathedral and castle near the river. You can hear the oars of people rowing past in their hired boats.

I really enjoyed walking there even though the weather wasn’t great. I imagine there are more people when it’s sunny.

My family and I attended a live dinosaur production, and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. The children were captivated, and the show was the perfect length to maintain their interest. I highly recommend seeing this show.

Beautiful venue with parking right underneath, fantastic prices & top comedians from around the country 10 out 10, was Jack Dee tonight 👏😂

A great place to go to see films at the cinema and theatre productions. We went to see the 50th Anniversary showing of Jaws and had a great time. Car park is right next to it, which make's it easier if you are driving there.

They messed with the sound during the interval at the comedy club. I couldn't understand a word of the last two acts while sat up in the balcony, which kind of ruined my birthday treat. The bar is reasonably priced and staff are nice.

Great to have this kind of facility in the North East. We visit regularly for comedy or theatre shows, and most recently for TEDX. Staff always friendly and efficient. Seats are comfy and you're not squashed in like sardines as you find in some auditorium. Parking is plentiful close-by too. My only negative is that they need a bigger bar area/capacity to deal with large numbers of people during intervals as there is always a queue.

Visited the theatre many times now. Every time is a pleasant experience. Staff are friendly and very welcoming. I love the theatre and this one gives a very cosy vibe with great acoustics for any show. We will be back for panto!

Nice theatre. Just not very practical for people with disabilities. The disabled toilet was a long walk from the theatre and it was locked permanently which was not helpful. Apparently the key was at the vmain reception but this was not clearly advertised.

Lovely park to walk round, is quite steep but good facilities and push chair friendly

Wharton Park has so much to offer for a city park and is set on 3 levels. It is in a great location with the railway station a short walk away and a 10 minute walk from the city centre. It has a small paid carpark and is flanked on both sides by paid on street parking at 40p per half hour a short walk away. The cafe is modern and is on the top level next to the small car park with internal and external seating. The toilets are well maintained. The building has adjacent rooms offering activities during term time. There is an outdoor gym opposite the car park and a playing field. The younger children's playground is next to the cafe with CCTV protection. Rubber flooring helps protect the children when playing. Seating is provided for adults to watch their children play. On the second level is an open theatre which has performances during summer. On the bottom level there is a playground for older children partially surrounded by a wall. It also includes a fenced basketball court and a well maintained community garden. This level also has access to paid on street parking. The park has amazing views of the cathedral. Plenty of seating & areas to explore. Children can even hunt dinosaurs. It's clean and well maintained and has plenty of areas to relax if you want some peace and quiet.

Excellent, well kept park with something for everyone. Not too large but has a well structured & planned layout for the amenities. The weather was great too.

Lovely park with some great views. Theres some interactive adventures playground and lots of open space. Parking is reasonable although only a small car park.

Lovely park for the kids, lots of areas to explore . And a lovely cafe

Play area for kids wasn’t that good but they liked doing the dinosaur searching thing from my phone provided by the free app Love Exploring

Great park in the heart of Durham, literally on top of the train station. Outstanding views of the cathedral!! Car park is tiny so i can imagine in the summer months would be a struggle to find a space. Parking costs 50p per half an hour. There are 3 separate parks, one to the left of the car park with outdoors gym exercise machines, few picnic tables and a stone type of monument. To the right of the car park there is a small play ground with a climbing wall, a roundabout, some swings. There is also a coffee shop with toilets. There is plenty of garden routes to walk around, a communal garden and another play area but for older kids. There is a climbing tower with an insanely sharp slide, I saw a kid fly over the slide and hurt themselves. There is also a 5 a side / basketball court and an outdoors small car track to drive around!! It feels like this old park had been perfectly redesigned for the 21 century. Super impressed!!

TLDR: If you are in the area you should change your plans and go spend the day feeding and cuddling animals (It has a lot of well maintained areas for the kids to play as well) 😃 ................................. This place is amazing. I like feeding animals because it is very therapeutic. My husband comes with me 🙂 The place is not very big but it has a lot there. The space has been well thought out. There are a lot of play areas for the kids. There is a barrel ride - first time I have seen anything like that at one of these places. On the 'not seen it before' trail. I have never seen sheep racing. It is a short course and 2 x per day they race 4 difference sheep. So funny. Animal feeding - the layout is circular which makes it nice and easy. All animals were very friendly. They have 2 barns one has chicks in and the other has rabbits and guinea-pigs. You can go and sit in either barn and hold the animal for as long as you like. No queuing for a 2 minute hold and moving on. Never seen a set up like this before and think it's awesome. A great day spent recharging batteries by feeding and cuddling animals. Only negative is the cafe seemed a little over priced. They do have picnic tables if ya want to take ya own food though.

We loved it here! The kids can hold guinea pigs and chicks as well as stroke rabbits, bottle feed lambs and hand feed sheep, goats and more. The play area is brilliant and the addition of tube slides, toboggans, jumping pillows, a climbing wall, water shoot out, ball gun fort, tractor ride and indoor soft play make this a great value day out. You can tell they've worked really hard to make this an attraction rather than 'just' a farm and as such it appeals to families much more. We went in the school summer holidays but it wasn't crowded and wait times were minimal. Well worth a visit.

Thus is not just a farm where children can learn about the different animals and feed them which is wonderful in itself. It has crazy golf, trampolines, barrel ride, bouncy pillows and an amazing slide. It's a wonderful place for a day out with the kids.

Took our Newrly 2yr old Grandson. He loved it and tbf so did we. Its been at least 10yrs since we have been with our own kids. Loads to do and majority of things are free once you have paid you admission. Will definitely return.

I’ve heard a lot about Hall Hill Farm over the decades but I've never been. Today I took my Grandson and I was blown away by it. The value for money, the sheer quantity of excellent things to do, the reasonable prices once inside, but most of all you have acquired the most wonderful staff. I can't recall ever been so well looked after outside of 5* hotels. They are so young, enthusiastic and amazing.

What a brilliant place, the animals seem really well cared for. The staff were amazing, the food was good and fairly priced. We got to feed some highland cattle so my youngest daughter was over the moon. Will definitely be going again

Staff were lovely and friendly, and all the animals were amazing. There is plenty to do and lots of opportunities for interactions with the animals. Overall, it's a great day out.

We went here to find Glass beach, we found it, but I think looking back on it, the tide was in too far and getting to it, is not for the faint of heart..... It was cool as we were the only people on this beach, but we didn't find any glass 😮‍💨 the beach further up looked really nice and was easier to access but we didn't go there 😔

Wot a great little town,lots of parking and near the harbour opposite the main shopping mall there is free parking and overnight stays in camper van or motorhome,we stayed 1 night on route home from a little tour round the Scottish Borders and Lothian and Midlothian area.Good clean beaches too.

Seaham is such a beautiful seaside spot! The atmosphere is calm and refreshing, with a lovely pebble beach that’s perfect for photos or just relaxing by the water. It’s easy to get to and not far from the city center — definitely worth a visit!

Busy location with people from all over the country looking for sea glass (weather and tides applicable) so I recommend using an app to monitor the tide so you can make the most out of the experience. Parking £1 per hour.

Lovely little spot to go for a walk, we spent a bit of time looking for sea glass. The kid loved it.

Very clean, spent a few hours there collecting seaglass- definitely worth the trip. Carpark had space for a motorhome and although we didn’t use the cafe/restaurant there it looked nice

A good accessible beach for a lazy afternoon beach walk cafe and toilets available but they close at 1600 on Sunday