The 50 best views in County 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.

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.

Enjoyable trip, this is based in the town so you can have a look round between enjoying the quaint shops. There is a long stay and short stay car park nearby, or a bit car park that's pay and Display at the morrisons. Castle has some structures you can venture up and into but some ruined areas. There is plenty of signage giving details of the inside and history which was fascinating. The person on reception was very welcoming and he was a credit to English heritage. I'm a member, which is worth doing if you visit 2-3 properties a year. Attended with my wife , three kids and labrador

No issues with entry, staff were friendly and we booked tickets on the door. The venue itself is fairly reasonably for the price. There are some areas that offer views inside the ruins of the castle. We spent around 30 minutes here, you could spend more time if you are really into the history. Personally I was more impressed with the views and some photo opportunities.

Barnard castle is a lovely space to bring the children and dogs. There is a small play park for younger children just outside the castle grounds and there are picnic benches to sit and enjoy the views. The staff are very friendly and the river is stunning. That said it is not the kind of place we could spend a whole day in. Don't get me wrong it is a lovely place for a picnic and the town has a lovely ice cream shop and some great cafés but it is not of the scale of Dover castle or the likes. That said this was our 4th visit and we will probably go again. It is very close to where we live, about 25 minute drive, and it is a lovely picnic spot for us which our family loves.

Started at CROBAR which we found to be a cosy place off high street, although we did have a nice sunny Bank Holiday weekend camping locally, quant outside eating and drinking, reasonable pricing, staff very accommodating. Town itself still maintains some character although a few businesses closed including Barclays Bank, great atmosphere on the street and taking a few beverages outside The Raby Arms. The castle grounds are chargeable entrance which does not represent value for money as no guided tours just ruins to look at, gift shop has a few items typical of tourist type offerings.

Visited 'Barney' lovingly so called by the locals. It was a glorious day, and we had a great time. Well worth a visit. Lovely market town, we happened to visit on a Wednesday.

Stunning historical venue Tickets at the gate or on line Cafe in the grounds Can see the river and country side Town is a great walk around as well

A great place to visit when you are in the town. Some great views to be had both from the castle walls and from the river Tees too.

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.

Had a brilliant day out. Plenty of options for which trail you want to follow. Brilliant smaller trails if you have active children and a park near the car park. We chose the 7km which wasn't just a flat paved trail, there were a lot of slopes and various terrains, it was also a lot quieter; we only saw 2 other people. The 7km could also do with a few more arrows as we did go off trail a couple of times, but not an issue for us as we love adventures. The long trail took us 2hrs on a slow walk. The toilets are free and were open after 5pm which was a nice surprise. Would probably go again, but not often as the car parking was £7 which was a bit steep for 2hrs in my opinion.

Lovely place, great walks. I have given 3 stars due to the lack of sign posts, I parked at Black hole car park, decided to do the Red arrow walk, this is 7 miles turned in 11 miles due poor signage and ending up at the main car park. I stupidly thought if I follow the red arrows I'd get back to where I started but no. Don't get me started on the disgusting flies who manage to bite you through leggings, thank god I had used insect spray everywhere accept my legs because I had leggings on, they still managed to bite me. What I thought was going to be hour and half leisurely walk turned into stressful 3.5 hours. Wouldn't of been so bad if it was just me, I took my boxer, luckily she was ok as plenty of streams, just don't stand still for long the flies will descend on you like cow muck. Even after a shower I still feel itchy.

Came here to see the wildlife: the birds, the fish, insects. There is so much biodiversity. Beautiful wonderful place for those who love peaceful walks and for those who are enthusiastic about nature and wildlife. It would be a shame if they decided to build 70 cabins, hot tubs, Go ape activities as it would disrupt the wildlife and the ecosystem which is there making it more into a tourist attraction which means more litter, more pollution in the waters as the chemical water from the hot tubs with chlorine in then goes into the streams causing harm to insects, then their natural predators such as fish, birds to bigger animals such as otters, deer and so on. It would be upsetting to see this happen to Durham’s only forest. It is beautiful tremendous natural environment which needs to be protected and preserved. This is why I recommend joining the Hamsterley Forest Action Group on Facebook to help protect this beautiful forest.

A cyclists paradise, excellent routes all over the forest for all abilities. Reasonable parking charges too.

Great day out. Fantastic

Lovely walks, plenty of space to explore, and beautiful scenery. The walkways and carparks are well kept, clean, and tidy. Great play parks and climbing frame for children and plenty places to grab a sit down if required. Payment for the carparking is card only, £5 for 2 hours or £7 for all day and this is paid on your way out. A coffee shop is onsite with hot and cold food available, but I believe most people just bring pack lunches and find somewhere with a nice view to eat. The mountain bike tracks are great fun for all abilities with different tracks that suit your needs. A great place to escape and relax.

Real family adventure, 6 adults, 2 grandkids and 3 dogs.. started off in the car park, walked our way around the first part of the blue (Gruffalo) trail, before splitting Off at the bridge up into the huge pine forest, to follow the yellow route, then followed the looped walk,to rejoin the blue trail,to finish the Gruffalo trail.. parking prices dependant on time spent walking, £7 our cost.. ice cream van, cafe, toilets, gift shop , big play/adventure climb place all by carpark.. The forest is well signposted along the routes, varying in difficulty with plenty of photo opportunities, especially at the top overlooking the country side, wildlife is aplenty, even a small holding with lambs, chickens and noisy cockerels.. In the dip at the bottom is a river, places shallow enough for kids to paddle, dogs to splash about and wash off the mud from the forest.. some parts deeper for our Labrador to learn to swim... All the day was great, lovely place, clean, well kept, as a family day out brilliant place to breathe in fresh air and relax.. will come again...

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.

Beautiful clean beach, practically empty. A lovely cafe at the top of the road near to the entrance/exit, lovely cuppa and food is nice at good prices, the staff are always really nice.

Visited the marina at Seaham with pebbly beach which is dog friendly. Free, clean toilets next to various food places. Everywhere in Seaham is clean and tidy with friendly people. Asda ,Aldi ,B&M next to sea front.

Great walk and views, free parking opposite Costa for a slightly longer walk.

This is a really beautiful part of the country and a good walk to do with the dog. It can be challenging in parts as the path goes up and down the Denes on it's way but it can be done in short sections and it's always worth keeping an eye out for the dolphins and seals who are regular visitors.

Outstanding natural beauty. That many southerners have to experience!

Great place to go for walks and to find some sea glass if your lucky

I love to walk along the cliff top and admire the scenery at anytime of the year. It is also a great place for my dog to stretch his legs and have a play with his animal friends without disturbing anyone. This area is very popular with locals and a lot of foreign visitors.

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!

I’d say this beautiful building is a must see if you’re in Durham. A wealth of civic history and architecture awaits you behind the unassuming facade. Allow a minimum of 30 minutes to explore this hidden gem.

A little gem that opens for visitors on Saturday. No harm for a quick 20 mins visit because there is always something to admire and appreciate in social history.

It is a wonderful place that keeps the rich heritage of Durham, it's history, and many more. It has wonderful collection of window glass works and some of them are quite huge. Some decent collection of weapons used and large frames of paintings. It has the bell used in HMS invincible (1980) ship.

Beautiful medieval building. It's a gem hidden away. It was amazing to perform Tai chi right here, seeing East and West culture coming together.

Omg amazing inside the rooms are beautiful done pics and so interesting its free to go in but they appreciate a donation really lovely building gorgeous paintings on the walls and so interesting they give information to you inside one of the rooms on telly worth watching

Durham us a beautiful city steeped in history it boasts a cathedral and a castle . It has a very good university with students from far and wide. The city is clean off the market Square is the market with its many varied stalls.......park and ride is available ...well worth a visit take in the history and a lovely riverside walk lots of eateries

I came here some years ago while I was a member of the Royal British Legion, otherwise I wouldn't of been allowed in otherwise, a lovely building with plenty of history and nice to visit if there tour's.

Firstly the grounds are gorgeous! Just take a book and seat on one of the benches and take it all in :) Beautiful collection of paintings. Some real impressive ones actually Definitely worth the visit. I was not a huge fan of the swan show…nothing extraordinary. The cafe is nice. The bookshop/gift shop are a must

Loved this place. The pet project installation was wonderful. My daughters made some new friends who all got involved with the most fabulous creative play in that space. Meanwhile I had a moment of meditation (some might call it a snooze) with my headphones in on one of the incredibly comfortable 3D canvasses! Fascinating - history and some artworks and curiosities. I remember the two headed calf from when I was a kid (about 40 years ago) Magical to see the silver swan in action. Highly recommended- beautiful grounds as well. Nice gift shop (quality gifts at reasonable prices). Bought a tea towel ~ we kinda collect them. Staff were all nice… and authentic if that makes sense.

Had a great day out. Took my elderly mum in her wheelchair. Access was excellent if a little in the back door feel. Disabled toilets could of been nicer and easier to find but they were clean. Staff were all lovely and could not of been more helpful. Cafe was excellent. I can highly recommend the soup. Both mum and I had a lovely time.

Fabulous day out! I'm a wheelchair user and found the museum very accessible. The staff here were amazing! An absolute credit to the museum! Loved the Silver Swan demonstration at 2pm. The cream tea in the cafe was delicious 😋 The gift shop is very nice too and has a range of reasonably priced goods. We paid the membership fee and will definitely be back a few times.

The Bowes Museum is such a fantastic place to visit! The grand building and beautiful grounds make it feel really special from the moment you arrive. Inside, there’s so much to see fascinating exhibitions, incredible artwork, and interesting displays that keep both adults and children engaged. The café is lovely, serving good food and cakes with a relaxed atmosphere. There’s even a small play park in the grounds, which was a great bonus for the children and gave us chance to enjoy a coffee while they played. A brilliant day out for families, history lovers, and anyone visiting the area.

An incredible place too visit. So much to see, make sure you arrive early as you'll need plenty of time! Astonishing world of art, great history in a wonderful. Friendly staff and a more than decent cafe /restaurant providing very generous portions. A must see if the silver swan automaton.

Fantastic day out today. The staff were all brilliant, kind and offered help. Quite a bit for kids to see and do. We all enjoyed the exhibits on display. Oh and the Silver Swan is amazing! We rang up to request a wheelchair for one of us before arrival and it was no problem. Most of the museum is easily accessible to all. Cafe was good with prompt service and helpful staff. Good value as well. Thank you to all staff today!

I went here for the first time today. On entry there was a market with the gardens and access to the Castle. The Castle is the main event in my opinion. The rooms are stunningly beautiful and well preserved. I would go again to take in all the sights and look for new things to catch my eye. There is parking and the person at the entrance took card payments for entry.

Went on a beautiful sunny day and was blown away by the gorgeous walled gardens. Lots of butterflies which our daughter enjoyed photographing. We went on a guided tour round the castle and Daphne was very informative and kept some of the "chatty" and wandering guests from the party in line with her professional competence 🤣. After the castle tour we walked through the deer park and captured some wonderful video footage of several deers running up the embankment and crossing the path right in front of us. Lovely experience for both us and our 15 year old. Very stylish and bright/airy cafe where we found something to eat quite easily for us adults, but if you are slightly particular with your foods and not a child it did prove a little more difficult. You can't go wrong with jacket potatoes but unfortunately our daughter isn't a fan. Was looking for something safe like macaroni cheese and garlic bread but we found something to suit in the end. Definitely worth the money. Spent 3+ hours here. Easy to find and parking great. Every aspect of this place was tidy and well maintained. One suggestion, the toilets separate from the cafe (never looked in the cafe toilets) could do with a sanitary dispenser.

Beautiful castle and gardens – well worth a visit! Stunning historic building, peaceful grounds, and a lovely walled garden. Great for families, especially with the deer park and the amazing kids’ play area (Plotters’ Forest). Staff are friendly and everything is well maintained. A perfect day out in the countryside!

What a great family place to visit. Historic castle with loads of insight into its history. Deer park to walk around with plenty of opportunities to see the deer. Lovely gardens to enjoy at your leasure and new well appointed cafe. Definitely worth a visit if you get the chance.

With the right weather you can spend a long day there. A good combination of things for adults and children. The gardens alone are worth the visit. You can explore castle grounds & deer park at your leisure but I'd recommend the guided tours. Separate tours of castle & garden + we enjoyed a separate talk regarding the Raby estate & the development of the railways. Top notch facilities, a lot of effort & money has been spent making an excellent tourist attraction.

We spent an absolutely amazing morning walking around the castle. Every room waited to be discovered with a member of staff and the knowledge they had waiting to pass on. It was an amazing trip back in history and very well maintained with staff with their wealth of knowledge, very friendly and welcoming. We didn't walk as much of the park as we would've liked, but finished the visit off with a yummy lunch. We will definitely visit again.

Great day out. The castle itself was really interesting, loads to see inside with some really knowledgeable staff. Gardens and grounds are spectacular, especially the deer park. Nice cafes and shop as well

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.

Lovely view, hidden gem of Durham.

Framwellgate Bridge stands as a testament to Durham's rich history and architectural prowess. Originally built in the 12th century, and rebuilt in 15th, this stone bridge connects the Framwellgate area to the city center, arching gracefully over the River Wear. Its ancient stonework whispers tales of centuries past, and a stroll across offers both residents and visitors a chance to step back in time while enjoying picturesque views of the river and the iconic Durham Cathedral. In modern times, while the bridge still serves as an essential transport link, it also holds aesthetic and historical value, being a Grade I listed structure.

I know it sounds daft reviewing a bridge but what a lovely high bridge with a lovely view. Lots of people taking selfies etc.

Old stone bridge with a great view of the Durham castle & river wear.

Great view of the river, cathedral and the castle...

Been on today 22nd July 23 time 11.35am drizzle ☁️🌨️ cloudy day cooler for July photo captures the mood of the weather looking across at the world 🌍 famous view of Durham cathedral not blessed with the usual sunshine just an atmospheric day

A bridge everyone visiting the north of England need to cross at least twice :)

Prebends Bridge was designed by George Nicholson and built from 1772 to 1778. The bridge was built on the instructions of the Dean of Durham and served as a private road for the Dean and Chapter of Durham, giving access from the south through the Watergate. Prebends Bridge is a one of the finest Grade I listed structure and a scheduled monument.

Historical Bridge for foot traffic crossing the river Wier. Build in the late 1700s it's a stone arch construction with some little sticky out viewing points which are just fab for Instagramers. Nice round trip along the river to the next bridge and then up through the town and back to Prebends

I stumbled upon this bridge whilst wishing to cross the river Wear toward the Cathedral and let me tell you it was a relief when I did. Placed conveniently over the river with one end on one side of the river and the other end on the opposite side, spanning the entire body of water. From the looks of it, the bridge has been there for some time so it seems that other people have in the past identified the requirement of needing to get across the river and some people more industrious than I took it upon themselves to craft this bridge. Not only does it perfectly perform its intended duty but it has spectacular views of the surrounding wooded area and cathedral. Today there was a young couple posing for photographs - they were dressed formally and the woman was wearing a blue skirt and striking blue shoes, her gentlemen friend - a handsome young fellow was wearing a nicely tailored suit. The scene to me was nostalgic of a period where everything in the world seemed so much better and we’d not yet been blighted by the pestilence of the modern age - all watched over by machines of loving grace. The sky was heavy with brooding clouds moving fast like Swallows skimming insects interjected with strong bursts of warm sunshine piercing through the gaps and giving warmth to my face. I guess the main bullet point of this presentation would be that yes! Indeed! It is a wonderful bridge and I would strongly advise you cross it.

Nice views of the river from the bridge. Also has a nice spread of grass near it alongside the river which is very nice for sitting on during warmer months (however it's clearly a known spot by the uni students so can get a bit busy)

A lovely place to just wander along taking in the beautiful scenery. Really good to spend a bit of time in the quiet before hitting the town.

If you ever get to Durham take the steps down from the shops next to the mobile shop and walk along the river banknto the bridge. You can cross over the top or go under and get some great photos. Try going when the river is calm so you get the mirror effect

Nice bridge connecting the far castle end of the town with some of the wooded hills outside the bend of the river. Great views. Great for a walk making a loop along the river banks

I last visited this museum on a family holiday 46 years when I was a kid. It put a long lasting impression on me and I have wanted to return for too many years. It was a lot smaller then but has grown and expanded into a great museum showing ever aspect of life in Britain for the last 200 years. Travel on buses and trams throughout the museums different towns and environments. Your ticket lasts a full year. We took 2 days to visit on this occasion and I am certain it won't be another 46 years to return. They run special events, eg Halloween and Christmas. I am disabled an took my scooter. Its battery run out 200 yards from us concluding our visit on the first day but the staff on a 1950s bus stopped and radio'ed for help. We were taken back to our car by the wardens. All the staff there where very friendly and knowledgeable. My wife and I loved this place and we will be back very soon. We live in Merseyside and wish there was a lot more living museums throughout the country. Thank you very much for a great place to visit. No one will leave unhappy.

An excellent experience (and took my memories back to visiting my grandparents when I was young). Although I’d recommend booking tickets to beat the queues, we hadn’t and even in half term week there wasn’t too long a wait. The whole museum spreads out over a considerable area. Lots of walking therefore. The exhibits take the form of original buildings, all furnished and presented in period - and well-explained by costumed guides. ♿️The main site is very accessible and well equipped. Lots of accessible toilets and restaurants. However, like any house or town, the exhibits are varying in levels of ease of access. In my view many of the exhibits had been spoiled by the addition of a hallowe’en theme. For example Victorian rooms festooned with fake spiders’ webs and pumpkins. These were all over. They are fine in their place, but today detracted from the authenticity of the museum which we had paid to see. There would have been no fake spiders webs and pumpkins in a real Victorian school room. On the whole, though, the museum was excellent and worth revisiting

What a lovely day out. Even though we were there all day, didn't quite manage to get round it all. Favourite but was the co op. Trams and busses quite frequent. Went to the bank and the manager showed me all the old money with explanation, interesting. An old cinema, showing old films, great. A few refreshments stops, including the old fish and chips shop in the 1950s, obviously tried that, very nice. Would recommend this place

Absolutely fantastic!! The people who work here are absolutely amazing and so knowledgeable. My children thoroughly enjoyed the experience and learning about the past. Living history is so much more interesting and relatable. Sharing this with them was heartwarming. I from a generation where our parents are old enough to have experienced the end of war and grandparents who were considered working class Victorians.

Fantastic day out at Beamish. We spent 4 Hours wondering around the many different areas they have. We were very impressed with the new 1950s area which has been installed at the museum. It is great to see the museum continually growing and developing.

What a step back in time 😃 such a lovely time had here. I have been in the past and visited again recently with my family. We visited during the school holidays so we knew it would be busy, which it was. Its a bit pricey to get in at 33 pound each but you do get to visit as many times as you like throughout the year with that one payment pass so, if you visit another cpl times its well worth the money. The staff are what makes this place, so knowledgeable and engaging. The tavern where u can stop, grab a hot drink and be told tales of the past was great and the guy telling the ghost stories of the cursed hand was great and funny too. I absolutely loved my visit and will 100% be back when its a little quieter when I hope to be able to get into the sweet shop!

Loved it was absolutely amazing. We had a good few people recommend it and everyone said you would have to take a few trips to take it all in. So we plane to visit a few times because we only had a look at a few bits but not all of it. We had arrived about 10 minutes before they actully opened so only a bit of a wait witch I didnt really mined at all. £58 pounds to get in just the 2 of us. But the next time we plan to visit the min town on the bus or tram. We spent a few hours walking around and I think we had betten the rain actully today. Hopefully the next time it will be better weather all around.

Very impressive thundery waterfalls. Access is reasonably smooth along a gravel path. It takes maybe 10 minutes getting there. There is an entrance fee. The pay car park is near a restaurant.

We parked at Bowlees Visitor Centre and followed the path along the river past Low Force and the old swing bridge, then continued up to High Force. It’s about four miles there and back and such a lovely walk with great views all the way. The path can be uneven in places so it’s not really one for pushchairs, but it’s very dog friendly and has lots of spots to stop and enjoy the scenery. High Force is a beautiful sight, especially after heavy rain when the water really thunders down. If you prefer a shorter walk, you can park at High Force Hotel, but there’s an entry fee from that side. The Bowlees route is free, and if you carry on a little further upstream you’ll come across Bleabeck Force too, which is another great waterfall to see.

Waterfall itself is absolutely beautiful, an incredible site with multiple different walks, all round incredible scenery. Unfortunately some of the staff were quite rude, lady in the ticket office spoke to us like we were an inconvenience for being there and took so long serving drinks. Was very rude to other customers when someone asked why you had to pay to see the waterfall. I understand the sight has to be maintained but it could have been explained a lot nicer than she did with a lot less attitude. The gentleman at the top of the walk however was lovely and explained the paths to us and how the waterfall came to be. All in all a beautiful experience but it would be nice if the staff at least pretended they wanted to be there!

Wow!! Please just visit and enjoy this wonderful place! It literally enabled my partner and I to just breathe 🧘 Beautiful! The chap at the ticket booth was so helpful and friendly, the Hotel was friendly and so accommodating and the Waterfall was so unexpectedly perfect! The walk to the waterfall was simple and pleasant and you could return on the path or take the steep steps up to complete a circular walk - perfect afternoon xxx

We walked from low force, along the river Tees edge, taking in the views... River Tees on one side and fields of cattle on the other..Benches and seats all along the pathway or you could dip your toes in the water at various points.. over the wooden bridge** onto a large grass area to let the dogs stretch their legs before climbing a lot of steps up to the high force motel, where you buy tickets for the falls and wooded area... Carparking available, Toilets, Cafe with picnic benches, to enjoy a food, ice cream or hot drink before handing over your ticket and descending through the woods to more steep steps down to the base of the falls, where you feel the true force of the water... Spend as long as you like, just listening to and seeing the amount of water cascading over the rock face... Back up the steep steps,via left into another wooded area, where cattle roamed free (to our surprise), carved sculptures, bird feeding stations and a nice wood walk....** You can see the falls for free, but from above only, if you walk straight on and don't cross the wooden bridge...

We have visited High Force many times before but what a spectacular visit this time. The volume of the water due to all the heavy rain was very impressive. Such a beautiful sight in autumn. Very well organised purchasing tickets from the hotel. This goes towards the up keep of the paths which were safe and well maintained. The only criticism is the high parking fee, nearly £5 for an hour, payable via a parking website. Beautiful part of the region and definitely worth a visit.

£4 for parking and £3.95 for an adult ticket from the cafe, for an easy walk down to an epic water fall which you can get really close to the power and sound is immense. We walked up the 80 plus steps on the way back to see what the woods had to offer and weren't disappointed.

Great experience from start to finish! Would have been nice to have had a bit of history of the railway during the visit! Fish & Chips were lovely addition! Was very surprised when we got back and 2 hours had passed! It flew over!

I went for their 300th anniversary gala with my train mad dad and lad. They loved it, really interesting place and a must if you like old trains. We even had the diesel pulling us at one point which made my dad's day 😁

Had a fantastic visit, I hadn't been for almost 20 years so it had a lot to live up to and it definitely did. We went for one of the fish and chips journeys on a sunday evening and it was great.

Always welcoming. A great day out. A lovely line to ride on, the sheds are interesting and Causey Arch massively impressive.

Fantastic family day out excellent cost staff were brilliant and friendly its a north east gem definitely going back for the Christmas event

Had a lovely day well couple of hours staff are lovely and friendly. We had the fish and chips .

Absolutely love little heritage railway, friendly staff. Great fun all the family

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

When it’s not raining, the river looks blue but i really love the view.

A nice place to walk all year a round, near from the market place and near from the cathedral

I made the short journey on Tuesday evening this week to photograph this beautiful bridge however I wanted to photograph it at night, I stud in different location just up stream from the bridge it’s self, if you’ve not been before I’d highly recommend paying this a visit, carpark right next to the bridge it’s self, I walked less than 200 mts from my car This was my best photo of a bunch I took

Beautiful bridge over a lovely river

Lovely place with great food. The owners are always around making sure everything is running well. Beautiful flowers!

Failed to keep the water off of my feet. I strongly suspect this was because it was rain, but still… Otherwise a solid choice for crossing the Wear - just consider doing it when it isn’t raining or use a small portable roof of some sort.

Lovely stone bridge for evening stroll.

The show was very entertaining and incredibly well put together. It's amazing that everyone is a volunteer. The viking village was also entertaining but could do with allowing people to enter earlier to avoid the massive queue.

The show was absolutely fabulous, so well put together, the actors, the animals, the fireworks and lighting. The props and scenery was beautiful. lots of photo opportunities too! 100% will be coming to watch again and recommending every else does too! Take a coat or blanket as it did get cold later on. So I went bank holiday weekend so its no surprise it was rammed. Few points to mention on it being busy... - I'd get there early if you are wanting food and a table to eat at, gets very busy very quickly. - The seating is quite cramped and you are literally shoulder to shoulder and you have to keep getting up and walking off the row when people arrive to be seated as there is no room to walk by and certainly not safe enough to stand and lean over. - Make sure you get the shuttle so much easier to and from, especially as I took my 5 month old baby. Long ques but that is to be expected and made sure you drop a pin on maps where you're parked🫣 - The viking village was good, just wish there weren't so many people in, was really busy and hard to engage in anything as couldn't get close to the barriers to see much.

The Kynren experience was amazing!! I went with my partner and family and loved it. We saw the live show/reenactment which was great. Seeing the volunteers riding the horses and charging them down the path and jousting the boards was fun to watch and the amazing water light show. Definitely going next year and going back in time watching the cast showing working and living life in past eras ❤️🔥✨️

I attended one of these shows last weekend, and while the performance itself was visually stunning and clearly the result of a huge amount of hard work, I felt very let down by the pre-show experience. The Viking Village — one of the things I was most looking forward to — had already closed well before the show began, which was really disappointing. On top of that, access to food and drink was extremely limited. What little was available either had very long queues or had already stopped serving. I also found it frustrating that the website states not to bring in a drink, reusable aluminium bottles are not allowed, so I was forced not to bring one. Once inside, I then couldn’t access a drink easily, which made the evening a lot less enjoyable. Be prepared to queue for almost an hour to access basic amenities. Another point worth mentioning is the seating. The stadium-style seats are very, very slim and uncomfortable, which made sitting through a long performance quite difficult. Finally, despite announcements asking people not to smoke, there were several e-cigarettes being used in the audience during the show. This was unpleasant and distracting, and it really took away from the experience. I completely understand that running large-scale events is challenging, but clearer communication about what is open and when — along with better access to basic amenities, more comfortable seating, and stricter enforcement of the no-smoking policy — would make a huge difference. I hope this feedback can help improve the experience for future visitors.

Absolutely brilliant.. probably best value for money ever.. good quality food reasonable prices .. gifts merchandise equally surprised at the prices... The transport from and took the car parks.. absolutely top noch.. couldn't fault anything at all

Kynren was hands down one of the most fascinating performances I’ve ever witnessed. From the moment it began, I was swept away by the colors, vibrancy, and sheer energy of the show. What amazed me most was how a simple, barren ground was transformed into a living, breathing stage full of life and history. The scale of the performance was breathtaking.The number of performers, the richness of the set, and even the real animals brought a sense of authenticity that made me feel like I had truly stepped back in time. The sight of horses galloping across the arena was simply spectacular and gave me goosebumps. Every detail was carefully thought out, and the production quality was outstanding. In totality, it was truly bang for your buck! A grand, immersive experience that stays with you long after it ends. A must-visit for everyone, whether you love history, theatre, or just want to be amazed.

Wow!!! What an amazing show. I want to come back every year. No ward work went unnoticed. To the actors, to behind the scenes, even the bin men! The fact this is all done by volunteers makes this even better!

Reasonably priced parking with ANPR sensors. Enter your registration into one of the well placed payment machines at the end of your stay and print a receipt too should you require one. Barriers raise automatically on entering and leaving, providing you paid before you leave ;) There seemed to be plenty of spaces and they were well marked and of fair size. Some of the ramps did appear on the tight size and there were a few scuffs in the wall but I didn't find any difficulty at all in maneuvering the wife's Jeep Renegade up and down.

Very reasonably priced car park. Impressed. Best to download the app to pay, quicker than waiting to pay. Although it was at the end of a concert. Generally on a day time possible no queueing

Very good carpark in the middle of Durham city. Very reasonable parking fees, much better than other cities. Used every year for the Durham Light Infantry reunion.

Drive in and car plate number will be recognised. Pay at the machine available I believe at every level, credit card, then leave. Paid £2.40 for our visit to the shops. Safe, clean, adequately lit, well ventilated. Overall, a good convenient carpark.

It’s an underground concrete complex for placing your motor vehicle while you visit this beautiful and historically significant city. It’s entirely out of place within the beauty of the city- how on earth it got planing permission I don’t know. An example of poor city planning and corruption no doubt. Although serves a useful purpose it is a stark reminder of the decline of the west in the 21st century, juxtaposed against such beauty and culture. Isn’t such a shame that everything that is beautiful around us was built by our ancestors? We’ve lost the ability to create such things and now dwell in concrete prisons.

Easy to find car park with large parking bays. It’s connected right to the shopping centre. Prices are very reasonable as well, which is something I look for in a car park. Only knocked a star off because the pay machines for the car park aren’t located near the lifts or in the stair lobbies but in fact just plonked in a parking bay with a banner next to it. It would be good of Durham Council to place signposts at all levels to point you in the right direction.

Easy access to shops and to the Old Center, quick way to pay before exit, wheelchair access to the top floor

High standards in everything: teaching, fighting for the country and give a good experience for turists. The building vith its ancient walls and gates, and with the kind, helpful staff members. We left with lifetime good memories in our harts.

Why is Durham a great University? Prestigious Rankings: Durham is the UK's University of the Year 2026, and is consistently ranked among the UK's top 10 universities. It is also a world-leading university, consistently ranked in the top 100 globally. Collegiate System: The university's unique collegiate structure provides a supportive, close-knit community for every student, fostering a strong sense of belonging and providing a rich extracurricular culture. Teaching and Research Quality: Durham boasts world-leading academics who conduct transformative research across a wide range of fields, from environmental studies to astronomy. Student Experience: Student satisfaction rates are consistently high, partly due to the enriching experiences offered by the colleges and the opportunities for sports, clubs, and community activities. Graduate Prospects: Durham graduates are highly sought after by employers worldwide, thanks to the quality of their education, the skills they develop, and the university's strong links with global industries. Unique Setting: Located in a beautiful city with a UNESCO World Heritage site, Durham offers a historic and inspiring environment for its students.

Visit was to Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral in the grounds all owned by the University. Beautiful Cathedral and climbed the 325 steps up the Tower and that is well worth it for the view at the top. After an enjoyable walk along the River again a lot owned by the University.

An attractive place, very welcoming set in lots of greenery; open and helpful people student's and staff alike. Visited in open day.

Durham University is one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious and historic institutions, renowned for its academic excellence and vibrant student life. Nestled along the scenic River Wear, the campus combines breathtaking architecture with modern facilities, creating an inspiring environment for learning and personal growth. Durham offers a wide range of programs across sciences, humanities, social sciences, and business, all taught by highly respected faculty who are leaders in their fields. Students benefit from a strong sense of community through college life, which fosters friendships, collaboration, and support beyond the classroom. The university’s emphasis on research, critical thinking, and global perspectives equips graduates with the skills needed to excel in their careers and make a meaningful impact in the world. From engaging lectures and innovative projects to cultural events and sports, Durham University provides a holistic, enriching, and transformative experience, making it a top choice for ambitious and curious students seeking both academic rigor and personal development.

A quaint and quintessential city with a lot of character and old world charm but with a lot of modern vibe brought in by the global student community! The Cathedral is divine, the cobbles streets and walk around town and university brilliant! Great dining options and bars to hang out in! My favourite was Expresso Martini @Revolution Bar, Bloody Mary@Tango and Thai meal @Thai River

Durham University is distinctive - a residential collegiate university with long traditions and modern values. We seek the highest distinction in research and scholarship and are committed to excellence in all aspects of education and transmission of knowledge. Our research and scholarship affect every continent.

This is a lovely little garden, not too far from the city centre. Entrance is free, but they have a donation box.

Nestled away a twenty minute walk down the river - these gardens are very quaint and beautiful. A wonderful place to watch the sunrise and sunset over Durham with a leafy dramatic view - and behind the gardens there’s a cute farm with alpacas. The gardens themselves aren’t open at predictable times, but that does not detract from the beauty of this place! You can easily peek through the gates and look at the enclosed gardens or wander through the rosebushes at the bottom of the stairs. Great for picnics.

I found ODGs on a walk along the River Wear it's very peaceful and perfect for days out during spring summer. Fortunately I had a blanket water/food and a good book/writing pad I sat just outside the gardens on a steep hill so couldn't comment on the actual garden's etc. I was next to a path and could over hear ppl which was was quite good, I heard a woman saying she regularly heard girls screaming on their phones and I wasn't sure if she meant screams for help or something else the woman was acting weird with a black man. I am looking forward to another visit.

Beautiful place of tranquility...well, you can hear the bells of Durham Cathedral. Nut mind you: The walled gardens are only open from March 31st through end October, at the times indicated (Sun & Thurs, 2-4pm).

Restored 17th Gardens, lots of heritage fruit varieties inside the walled gardens (open 2pm to 4pm every Sunday during the summer). Outside many varieties of fruit trees, Slow, Apple and Plum. Worth a visit as nice Riverside walk from Durham.

Lovely free garden worth a visit of you walk this way. There are pigs and sometimes I think alpacas at the farm past the top garden.

Very pleasant, charming outer garden with a long flower bed, lots of roses and a lovely orchard with heritage apple and pear trees. It is perfectly nested between the woods and the river and there is not even a door that would separate the gardens from the nature, so you feel so free there. Since there is no entrance fee, our family regularly goes back to relax whenever we are nearby. The walled garden is a formal garden with heritage plants, and is open during the opening hours.

A tiny but comfortable place for holding a concert. The audience can be so close to the musician that I could see the rich expressions of the singer. Really nice performance!

Had a guided tour today, it was really good, the guide was very knowledgeable & friendly & spoke clearly & loudly so everyone could hear her. Highly recommend a tour & for only £5 it definitely worth it.

Durham Cathedral a Unesco world heritage site. On the way to the cathedral and castle you will walk up Saddler street be sure to look out for The Georgian Window gift shop, you will not be disappointed by Durham or The Georgian Window both wonderful.

A world heritage centre. A divine cathedral that sadly doesn't showcase its Harry Potter and other filming connections...which it could do, whilst respecting its prime purpose. A revenue stream awaits those to sit in gowns in McGonigles classroom, or to walk with broomsticks in Hogwarts cloisters. I commend the cathedral for merely asking for a £3 donation. It is one of my 7 best places on the planet.

Archaology gallery and Durham Light Infantry display are situated in this building as well as World Heritage Site information centre. Palace green library currently open to durham students and researchers. Castle tours tickets available here. Lovely cheerful welcome from staff

Don't miss the library excellent museum and wow factor library. Top floor exhibition on Durham light infantry excellent

Great historic area, with lots of wonderful buildings and the Cathedral. Heritage center and Palace Green library are a must visit.

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.

Good car park to go walking in the beautiful and secluded forest.

Great free place to park if you're going to walk the path alongside the River Wear to Durham. There are some picnic tables adjacent to the car park, but the traffic noise from the nearby road rather spoils the atmosphere.

Small car park for 8 vehicles but perfect location for taking the dogs for a walk. You can easily do the loop in less than an hour or you could spend a couple of hours having a picnic..Enjoy

Very small car park with only about space for 10 cars. But the river walk is brilliant

Beautiful walk by the river. If you are fairly fit you can go along the river bank right up to the via duct - which is amazing to see.

Bad picnic spot, smelled weird and only one small dirty bench.

Lovely walk, can make it as long or short as you like and great views

Beautiful walk from Low Force to High Force waterfall along the river Tees. Really worth the effort. Dog friendly.

Worth the walk up to here to see nature's raw power.

(Translated by Google) Additional (Original) Ekstra

(Translated by Google) Don't miss Low Force, following the river after High Force. This series of small waterfalls is just as beautiful to see and you can cross the river using a suspension bridge to access the walk that leads to High Force. Nice spot for a picnic. Parking tip: you can park at the Bowlees visitor center for a few pounds. There is also a small café and toilets. Parking: free and paid Toilet: in the paid parking lot Accessible: no Dog: ok (Original) Ne loupez pas Low Force, en suivant la rivière après High Force. Cette série de petite cascades est tout aussi belle à voir et vous pouvez traverser la rivière grâce à un pont suspendu afin d’accéder à la balade qui mène à High Force. Joli spot pour pique niquer. Conseil parking : vous pouvez vous garer au Bowlees visitor center pour quelques livres. Il y aussi un petit café et des toilettes. Parking : gratuit et payant Toilette : sur le parking payant Accessible : non Chien : ok

(Translated by Google) Great place for a walk (Original) Miejsce super na spacer

An iconic statue in the UK which is quite nice to look at close, rather than just from the A1 as you travel past. It was good to enjoy a walk around it with the family and take in its share size. There is a small car park at the site which if full, a space will come up shortly as there are a lot of people coming and going all the time. I didn't see any toilets. Well worth a stop have an ice cream or coffee from the businesses there and take in the sight.

I really enjoyed seeing this. The engineering that went into fabricating something this big I find fascinating. It's literally on a mound on It's own and you can see the top of it as you come off the motorway. The information board is worth a read. The person that wrote it put some good facts. There is a car park right next to it which is free and we had no struggles parking. If you enjoy art and big sculptures this is definitely worth a visit.

Angel of the North – A Monumental Pause Worth Taking Standing sentinel over Gateshead, the Angel of the North is more than just a sculpture—it’s a moment of stillness in motion. Towering at 20 meters high with a wingspan that rivals a jumbo jet, this rust-hued giant commands attention from the A1, yet invites quiet reflection up close. I visited on a crisp morning, and despite its proximity to the motorway, the site felt surprisingly serene. The free parking and open-access grounds make it an easy detour, whether you’re en route to Durham or exploring the North East. There’s a gentle slope leading to the statue, and a small memorial garden tucked below—unexpected and deeply moving, with handwritten notes that hint at personal pilgrimages and quiet grief. The Angel itself is arresting. Stark, industrial, and oddly graceful, it evokes both strength and vulnerability. Designed by Antony Gormley, it’s meant to embody transition and human connection—and it does, especially when viewed against the shifting skies. • Location: Just off the A167, near Gateshead. • Cost: Completely free, including parking. • Best Time to Visit: Early morning or golden hour for dramatic light and fewer crowds. • Extras: Often an ice cream van on site, and plenty of space for a picnic. Whether you’re a fan of modern art or simply seeking a pause in your journey, the Angel of the North offers a rare blend of accessibility and emotional depth. It’s not just a landmark—it’s a quiet witness to countless stories.

Erected in remembrance of the miners in the North East. Located just off the A1M just south of Newcastle. Parking available, plenty for disabled. Nice and peaceful, a few visitors and dog walkers about. Managed to fly my drone (see videos attached) worth a visit if in the area.

We've passed this sculpture a lot over the years and always been in 2 minds if we like it or not. So we took a quick pit stop to get a closer look. Worth a visit if you've got 10 minutes to kill. Car parking is free!

Easy to reach there even with the bus. Great for outing with kids.. owww.. one more surprise.. there is coffee shop available in the van 😃👍🏻. Only curious if there is toilet available near by 👀

1st time here. Nice big carpark. Easy parked our 7m campervan. 2 min flat walk. Even had ice cream van in carpark.

We visited this museum for a special visit by the flying Scotsman. For a small payment, you could enjoy a short ride being pulled by this famous locomotive. The museum has improved a lot since we last visited, with a second hall now open with more trains and carriages inside. There also seemed to be more interactive exhibits than last time. Well worth a visit, especially as it's free (donation is welcome)

Lovely couple of hours spent here last week. Nice welcome, free but donations encouraged. Two large sheds with a good range of exhibits and plenty of details and information boards about the history of trains which began in the area. Smaller than their sister location at York, but much less busy with a dedicated free carpark.

Locomotion is a great experience. Coupled with the opportunity for me to cab ride Scotsman from the museum was a bonus. When I went there were plenty of people but enough gaps to video without people mostly. Well laid out with good interpretive signage. I appreciate the freight equipment being in its working clothes.

Great place to visit if you like trains. Very helpful and friendly staff, cafe for coffee and a snack. Ample parking. Lots train related for adults and kids. 👍🏻

Excellent railway museum. Lots of exhibits in two massive buildings. Check website for running days on short demonstration track. Good cafe and friendly staff.

Lovely clean and roomy place. Nice big carpark. Free to enter, we gave a donation. The trains are amazing. Lovely walk to see the old building (none are open) which is a shame. Overall super morning out.

Outstanding venue and will cost you nothing unless you want to make a donation (which everyone should even if it's only a pound or two). The staff were all very friendly, and the exhibitions were excellent. The flying Scotsman was there on our visit (see photos). A massive sandpit outside with buckets and spades for this kids was a excellent addition (only summer). And just a little walk away they have an excellent play area which is very well maintained.

Oh my word, where do I start! We went a weekday before the easter holidays the first time. First impression was that everythinh looked a bit tired…BUT: i was wrong. The kids (5&2) had an absolute blast. Meeting and feeding the animals, barrel rides, reasonable priced food and drink, sunshine and great outdoor fun. The kids kept on talking about it for weeks now, so we went back today. And it was even better. The weather was grey and rainy today, but we had so much fun! Meeting Rabbits and Ginue Pigs, Feeding Lambs, barrel and tractor rides, beautiful peacocks, service with a smile… to end it with an absolutely entertaininh foam party. The staff joined in and the young lady, long dark straight hair and a few tattoos on the arm was just so amazing with the kids! It was fabulous and a great day out. Each time we spend over 5h here. Thank you!

Brought our 1year 9 month ols Grandson here today. We all loved it. Friendly staff, lovely animals, soft play & outdoor park. Tractor rides & Barrel rides. Plenty to do for all ages. Next time we come we will do the full day.

We visited the farm while on holiday at the caravan park and WOW. Probably the highlight of the holiday for the kids. We had the best day. The staff were amazing and so good with the kids at the handling and feeding sessions. It was the most ‘hands on’ farm we’ve ever been to. Lots of cuddles and feeding. The parks & indoor play barn are also amazing. The barrel/tractor ride was a firm favourite! Excellent value for money. This farm has possibly swayed us to book crimdon dene again for a uk holiday.

Lovely place to visit with your kid to see and feed the farm animals and enjoy the playground areas and their daily activities like tractor 🚜 ride, feeding the baby cows, petting little animals, etc. Will definitely recommend …

Just a great day out for a 5 year old We had such a great time will be back again

Special first trip for my baby granddaughter! .. Not disappointed! Lots of clean picnic areas to chose from. The place is always clean and tidy when we visit!. No litter. Animals all seemed well cared for and plenty of food and bedding for all! Likely will be back next year as Tweddle Farm always figures in the school holiday trips out!. Well done yet again staff!

Absolutely brilliant so much to see lots of different play areas plus can get hands on with some of the animals definitely recommend

We was holidaying in the area and found this on a things to do list, we thought this would be worth doing as never visited a mine before and be interesting to see what it's like and the conditions people worked in, I was surprised to see this was free entry as I would of definitely paid to visit. We was here around 2.5 hours first looking around the museum then the old living areas and lead washing, we then met our tour guide and got kitted up in hats and torches whilst he told us some old stories and facts before entering the mines, we thoroughly enjoyed the tour made all the better by the guide who I think had alot of passion for his job but had the perfect amount of facts to banter ratio and kept it interesting throughout. I'd definitely reccomend this but don't forget your wellies or you can't go down the mine.

Excellent museum with interest for adults and children alike, set in the beautiful Weardale countryside. Red squirrels visit here too. Good little cafe and toilets on site next to a well stocked gift shop. Free entry at present, a lot of conservation work happening so some access is restricted.

Fascinating place and highly recommended. Staff were incredibly friendly and kindly shared some amazing stories of the conditions the miners faced and the background to the mine and its workings. The food is very yummy. The fact that it's FREE entry is amazing too. No need to pre-book - just rock up! Surrounded by beautiful countryside. Kids absolutely loved it (as did we adults) and would thoroughly recommend you visit!

A fascinating look at lead mining on the 19th century. There's a nice museum, nice little cafe access to most of the site with helpful staff to explain the workings. You can also go underground but we didn't as we had our dog with us. Access to the site and the museum is free. Definitely worth a visit.

Fantastic museum. Staff helpful and very knowledgeable. Mine tour was amazing - really brought home the awful conditions that the miners had to work in. The Showman pavilion exhibition with the fluorescent light changes of the various minerals was really fun to see. Nice cafe too. Really worth a visit.

Visited midweek out of school holidays and it was lovely and quiet. We brought our 6 month old baby, pushed him around in our all terrain pram and didn’t struggle. There was plenty of free parking, and entrance is free. We probably only spent an hour here including having a coffee but it was still an interesting visit.

A real hidden gem. There was no queue to enter. Totally free access and parking. Very informative guides informing you on the history of the site and how lead is mined and made. Lots of other interesting information on the different types of chrystals. Lovely walk around the site. There's a bird hide and a squirrel hide. We saw a good number of different birds. Sadly the squirrel hide was out of bounds when we visited.

Had a day out with friends today, started in the the walled garden, roses starting to come out, others heavily in bud, they will be amazing when fully in bloom. Then went into the vegetable garden, lovely to see such beautifully kept beds. Enjoyed light lunch (starters) and drinks in the conservatory but chose to sit outside as weather was nice, food was amazing and beautifully presented. Our visit was made even better by our lovely waitress Millie, who looked after us very well. Finished off in the lovely gift shop. Now we have our annual ticket we have no excuses for not returning soon. Thank you

Pleasant gardens and nice staff but my opinion of the place is influenced somewhat negatively by the prices in the cafe. £2.95 for a can of Fanta! To me, that feels exorbitant.

Myself and my husband recently got married at Wynyard Hall. I fell in love with the venue from being a child visiting regularly during Christmas periods, it was dream to marry the love of my life there this year. I can't thank Emily our wedding co-ordinator enough for her kindness, attentiveness and support throughout the whole process , it truly meant the world to us, you truly made our dream come to life. Massive thankyou to Tom our master of ceremonies and Anika (& the whole team) for all your help throughout the day, you made it run smooth and was everything we could have imagined. If you are thinking about getting married at Wynyard Hall, do it! It was the best day of our lives We can't thank you enough x

Stayed in the Gardener's cottage. Fantastic access to gardens throughout the day. Breakfast on the lawn surrounded by roses. Cottage has only basic facilities. Public frequently tried to gain access to the cottage even when we were in. Lacked sufficient washing up liquid, no dishwasher. Excellent surroundings made up for this.

Visited Wynyard Hall Gardens. Had a lovely walk through the gardens then did the Woodland Walk by the lake. We enjoyed our lunch in the very spacious restaurant. Totally enjoyable 3 hr visit. Will definitely be coming back.

Yesterday, my daughter and I visited the Glass House restaurant for afternoon tea. Firstly, we received the food, which to be honest was not value for money. It was £29.95 per person, I was instantly disappointed We were surrounded by wasps. We were unable to eat some of the food due to wasps landing on it, I actually was unable to eat any of the jam and scones, these seemed to be the wasps favourite! I asked to be moved outside, which we did and no one offered to replace the food or jam that we'd been unable to eat. So it wasn't a very pleasant experience on the restaurant. The plus side, the grounds are stunning.

Stayed in the large cottage whilst attending a family wedding. The whole experience was perfect. Beautiful scenic location, perfectly kept grounds, friendly staff and stunning property with exquisite architectural and historical details.

This is a really lovely spacious park. A friend who lives locally showed it to us otherwise we wouldn't have known about it. There are tree lined paths and green open spaces and a play area for toddlers and slightly older kids. There is a lovely lake with fountain and wild flowers growing. There is also an area for playing tennis etc Great for family days out, joggers, picnics, dog walks and so much more. My toddler loved it there too as it was a safe space for him to run around and enjoy the activities for his age. We will definitely come back here next time we're in the area. Recommend.

Not a bad park... the play area could be better.

Checked this park out for the first time today and it's a really quiet, peaceful park. There's a beautiful pond. A nice looking cafe and an aviary. In the aviary there was an African grey bird that was really curious of us and seemed to enjoy the attention. There was some parakeets that are also quite friendly. Lastly there was an enclosure with some chickens, ducks and a male golden pheasant! Overall we really enjoyed a relaxing stroll around the park. I would recommend it!

First visit here. It is gorgeous. FREE parking in Parkside, the avenue that runs through the park. Two sides of the park, the traditional side with lake, bandstand, and Café and then the open field area. The colours of the flowers at the entrance were so bright. I'm definitely coming back with a book to just sit and relax.

Me and my son feed the wild life every morning at dawn it costs a fortune for all difrent grain seeds for our furry friends we love to spend time with them

A wonderful place with a very beautiful garden and a magnificent lake where you can feed the ducks. It is a pity that at night there is no lighting at all and the walk will not be comfortable and safe.

Rare beautiful park in Darlington with everything which makes it a perfect picnic spot. It has a playground, pond, kids play zone, restaurant, sitting arrangements, restrooms, large trees. There is also a small stream of river flowing along the edge of the park. Very calm and soothing atmosphere always at this park.

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!!

Parked by visitor centre, free for blue badge with designated places, nice chioc, latte and sausage roll. Sat outside ON picnic benches but there are seats inside the visitor centre and nice, locally, handmade gifts! Quite a flat, easy walk to the low force waterfall, but there was a incline at one point and a narrow bridge. Other waterfalls to look at too, from the main carpark, that included some steps.

Lovely place with multiple viewing points over the falls... We watched the rock diving guys drop into the deepest part... Then passed over the wire rope bridge (one at once) to the two stone sheep for more great views of the water and surrounding area... Ducks, gulls and other water birds were dotted around the rocky edges... Great start for our walk to high force.. river Tees to one side and fields of sheep and cattle to the other, stunning views high in to the distance... Drone footage from my son,...jakeysjpegs Instagram

10 mins walk from the carpark. The waterfalls were absolutely spectacular - especially after the rain, when the flows was at its dramatic.

Low Force is a beautiful waterfall and only a short walk from Bowlees Visitor Centre car park. The path takes you through fields before you reach the river, where the falls tumble over layers of rock. It’s such a calm place to visit and always worth the short stroll. We’ve been many times and love how every season makes it look a little different.

I would highly reccomend this as a wonder of nature... but in hot weather be prepared for people to be diving off the rocks and having BBQs. . It was a really interesting place, parking is free or a donation to Bowlees Visitor Centre if you park thrre. Its a 10 minute wander from the visitor centre which has toilets and a cafe. . The rock formations are AMAZING, even when we went in July the water was thundering over the falls, so I imagine in Autumn you'd have a super experience, also you wouldn't have to put up with people shreiking and screaming to each other from either side of the rocks. It did somewhat diminsh the atmosphere. . There is a single person suspension bridge further down which gives you great views of the rest of the river and some white water rapids. there are also footpaths and a signboard when you go across the bridge, but we didn't have time to explore the trails.

Always a beautiful place to visit, especially on a sunny day!

Beautiful spot to watch the waterfall! Very scenic! You also pass the Stone Sheep along the way to High Force Waterfall.

Lovely bars and restaurants sitting in sun watching world go by

Lovely, bright and clean walk, big variety of caffes and restaurants, cinema nearby, fairly clean public toilets nearby. Big applouse to County Durham Council and local redidents for clean streets. Have been in many UK cities and Durham just stand out very positively!

In the centre of the uni town. Several supermarkets n pharmacy stores for students daily necessities. Many restaurants with different cuisine to meet customer needs. Lunch time are usually packed.

Walk along river Wear giving best views of Durham Cathedral.

The Riverwalk at Durham sitting above the River Wear is a great little place now. Quite often bustling with activity, plenty of restaurants and home to The Odeon Luxe cinema. There is multistory parking, but the car park is very tight, just be careful. It is a pay on foot car park, you get a ticket going in and you pay at the machine on the way back to your car, then scan the barcode at the barrier to exit the car park.

Some great shops and places to eat, the pit was our favourite.

Beautiful scenery in autumn as the trees are turning many colours with the sound of water passing by. It has a lovely path for walkers and cycling. Many bridges and the castle and cathedral can be seen towering over the trees.

Been wanting to walk this route for over 2 years with my 3 mates, finally we walked it and boy was it worth the wait I’d highly recommend you do this walk, 9.66miles for the car park 10/10

High cup nick was a super day out for us. We parked in dufton and walked from there. We went through all weathers: sun rain and wind. The climb was quite steep in parts and we had three small breaks on the way up. We didn't quite make it to the end because it seemed a bit too steep and rocky for our mad dog. We still had wonderful views from the top. It took us about 3 hours up and 1,5 back down. (We are not professional hikers and we're getting on a bit). We met a few people on the way but not many so it was a very peaceful walk. I can highly recommend it.

Great easy circular 4 hour hike here from Dufton car park with some amazing views. Few boggy places and temperamental weather but safe paths as long as dont go right to the edge if windy or wet.

Absolutely stunning place to walk. We headed over to High Cup Nick. Headed up the middle, bit of a slog over wet moorland, then a great scramble over boulders to the top. Amazing views from the top. Fantastic scenery all day. We added Murton Pike onto the walk too. Long walk but worth it.

Always a stunner, no matter the time of year. The best view of the Lake District is from the Pennines!

Absolutely fantastic views. Quite a walk to get there. We parked in Dufton but you can knock a couple of miles off by parking at the end of the lane instead

Had a lovely hike during Easter weekend with a gorgeous weather. Scenery was amazing on the way and mesmerising views in front of you when close to the valley. Lovely small streams and waterfalls along the way with rocky paths, would recommend comfortable footwear and warm cloths as it might get colder closer to the valley. We parked the car at public car park but limited spaces but can park along the road as well. Highly recommended for a great stroll with a lovely views of Yorkshire dales.

Always a good place to spend an hour, see the latest exhibition, and grab a coffee/sco e at the cafe. This time we were here for the Silent Steppers silent disco. Such a great venue for it. Shout out to the lovely friendly staff who got in to the spirit of things with us on the night.

A little gem situated in the former Christ Church in Church Street in the centre of Hartlepool the art gallery is well worth a visit . Regular art displays in all forms of the medium , a small shop selling lots of gift ideas , the Vestry Cafe , toilets and free entry - what's not to like !

Amazing free gallery, the space inside is much bigger than expected, even a cafe inside too. It’s got some great features of the church still visible, like the windows and statues. Seems all of the artwork is for sale which is wonderful.

Brilliant local art gallery and the cafe is OK as well

Amazing Jonny Hannah exhibition in beautiful Christchurch. A loving celebration of all things Hartlepool - colourful, evocative, fun art and meaningful words and music. Great coffee and hand-made scones too. Fancy viewing the town from the tip of the tower? You can do that too - FAB!👌

Always provides new, interesting and occasionally challenging exhibitions that are worth travelling to enjoy. Bear in mind that, despite a large open space around the building, there is no cycle parking.

This is a very pleasant space. Sensitive conversion shows off original church, while providing good spaces to exhibit. Also work of local artists on show & for sale Vestry Cafe is a good place for a break and unwind.

Picturecse railway bridge, looks almost like a world heritage site and marks the entry into the city of Durham. There is Durham central bus station (from where the picture is taken) and a shopping lane with a lot of small shops and restaurants making way to the city centre. Gives a different feel when we first see from this spot.

Fantastic views which u can’t actually expect them to show up :)

Breathtaking view of Durham city when crossing in the train. Makes quite a spectacle from the ground aswell.

Excellent architectural Viaduct, with stunning views over Durham when on the train.

Beautiful views of the Durham and the City Skyline

Historic landmark in Durham

It’s a bridge. Get over it 🫢

My first time here and it was purely to pick up visitors. The station seems pleasant, clean and tidy with decent facilities. Machines at short stay parking can be confusing. For clarification, there's NPR so you simply visit the machine when leaving.

Any doubts just ask the train guys...very helpful people...the display shows all train coaches and marks those which arr first class...it also shows all stops of all trains...there is proper announcement of all these useful details as well

Is small and has all things necessary. The station has only 2 platforms. Trains from Platform 1 go south and trains from Platform 2 go north. Reaching platform 2 is through an underground bridge but you can follow the signposting and reach there easily. Ps: I love Durham

It’s a nice station. Good to see staff taking the time to check up on passenger welfare. Well done you: it didn’t go unnoticed.

Great station and a variety of food options too. Never rowdy which is a huge bonus!

Lovely old-fashioned station in the historic town. Nice just to sit with a coffee whilst waiting for the train. First time to this station and quite surprised to see that there was a small pub on the platform, which I will try the next time. Station is kept very clean and there are plenty of staff to help you.

Neat and clean with the best thing, the parking for first 15 minutes was free :)

Great place, toilets, gift shops with local crafts, information and nice cafe, enjoyed my coffee and toast. A bit disappointed the Gem store has closed down at the end of December 2019 was hoping to buy some gemstones. Stanhope nice little village to have a wander around. Would recommend.

Worth a stop for a snack/drink. Shops ‘not the best’ just ok of some local crafts. Cafe lovely decorated painted.

Good place to park (free) for a look around Stanhope and the surrounding dales area. Along with the all important public toilets, there is a gift shop and a number of other small shops in the centre itself and nearby village. Nice cafe for food or a drink.

Really nice. I wasn't expecting too much. But the hot drinks are really nice and food better than expected. Really nice place to go and chill and socialise with friends and family.

Great place to visit, a few craft, gift type shops Toilets( not clean ) and a nice little cafe, food was lovely and prices are reasonably cheap, staff were friendly It’s accessible as we took my dad and he is in a wheelchair

An odd place that reminded me of a nursing home. We got a toasted sandwich at the cafe, friendly service, clean public loos.

Lovely food and service. Great to be able to sit outside and enjoy.

A nice and peaceful beach, which is fairly easy to access. This is a great place to find Sea Glass if you're interested in that kind of stuff and you can easily find some if you dig around in the rocks a bit! Overall usually pretty quiet and peaceful, would definitely recommend!

Very steep walk down! You need to be fit and able bodied and still could dangerous in bad weather. Beach is very quiet, covered in stones of all shapes and sizes. I found there to be quite an overpowering smell, maybe from he black sand?! But all in all worth a look for nice quiet walk.

extraordinary beach with backdrop to cliffs with nesting birds and very unusual ponds due to clay and other strange rock structures.its a wobbly pebbly beach itself so whilst great to explore the various changes in terrain its not one for towels deck chairs and sun cream. Me and the dogs loved it even in the rain

It's hard to believe how few people visit here. Blast Beach is stunning, you can immediately see why it's part of the Durham Heritage Coast. There's plenty of parking near Nose's Point or its an easy 30 minute walk from Seaham (40 from the station). Thanks to the National Trust's cleanup project, you'd never know this was previously the home to the biggest coal mine in Europe. Interestingly, we also found out that Blast Beach was used in the in opening scenes of Alien 3, no doubt for its otherworldly vistas. We saw a lot of dogs having the time of their lives, and a few kids hunting sea-glass. We were told you could see Dolphins swimming in the bay on a good day, but we weren't so lucky. There's no food options close by so make sure to bring plenty. If you're in the mood for an ice cream, there's a truck at the parking lot that takes cash only.

Nice walk down the blast beach. Bit of a steep hill to get down, I'd recommend walking boots due to the ground. Beautiful peaceful walk with only a few other people on the beach.

absolutely stunning views! Very dark brown sands something new to discover. Enjoyed our visit.

Perfect place for a walk with the dog along the cliff tops or even along the Blast beach on a sunny day. Hot drinks vendor in Nose's point car park for those who haven't brought refreshments with them. Plenty of space for kids to run around. Favourite place for fishermen to spend hours drowning worms in the hope of catching something a bit bigger. Plenty of car parking spaces for more than 50 vehicles. Not quite as much Sea glass to be found there unlike Seaham Hall beach though 🤣