Fun things to do in Durham: 24 fun attractions and activities

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

The visitor centre had a few leaflets as well as a help desk to book castle tours etc. The display area has lots of really interesting things in cases, but not overly interactive for the small people who became quickly bored, which meant I then didn't have the chance to read everything...! Lots of great info, but could be better...!

The Visitor Centre, a stone’s throw from Durham Cathedral, is a great little starting point before you head into the main building. It’s not huge, but it sets the scene really nicely with displays about the Cathedral’s history, the monks, and how St Cuthbert ended up here. There are also interactive bits, so it’s easy to dip into whether you’re a history buff or just wandering through.

Duram cathedral is utterly stunning. The history of the place is amazing. And the skill and genius of the builders,working with the limited technology of the time left me feeling very humble. Go there .

Great place to vist and free to get in lots of history but the library was best of all had to book but was well worth it

Perfect place to start your visit of historic Durham. Very informative exposition. Cousin’s library is a beautiful gem located within this building. Definitely reserve some time to visit this.

Very helpful for the first day of my trip. I had a huge backpack and was allowed to drop it off at the locker and wandered around the city. Two young female and male staff were extremely friendly and nice. I love the souvenir that I bought there as well. However, the reason I gave two stars was my horrible experience with one old female white staff the next day. I asked for the same thing if I could drop my backpack at the locker, but she angrily said ‘this is not a place to drop off your personal item and go. As soon as you step out of this building, you have to bring your backpack.’ Astonished, me and my friend just said yes and left the place. In the meantime, I saw one white guy putting his bag in the locker. We were outside for a few seconds and then that guy came out without his backpack. So why didn't that old female staff stop him from doing so? The only possible explanation was the difference of races. Given that her talking and behaviour was very rude to us (non-whites) while she did not act in that way to the white guy, I felt that we were discriminated by the skin color. Given that this city is highly white dominant city, maybe her behaviour is acceptable in Durham? Such an awful experience and I sincerely hope that that old female white staff should get punished and correct her 19 century's racist behaviours.

Having visited recently the Shakespeare Folio Exhibition, and the beautiful library. I can recommend this to everyone interested in the first folio, its loss, and subsequent retrieval.

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

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.

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.

3 of us entered Mr Borrowdale's Study and managed to escape with less than a minute to spare. Great experience working together to try and solve the clues. Our host was brilliant. Definitely recommend trying this.

We had such a great time at the Lumley Castle escape room! Joe was brilliant – really funny, friendly, and made the experience even better. Definitely recommend!

We done the Lumley castle escape room as our very first escape room and it was absolutely amazing! Our host was so lovely and gave us little hints that we couldn’t have completed in time without! It was challenging, exiting and better than I could have ever expected. Fantastic story line, can’t recommend enough!

Exciting Adventure at Lumley Castle escape room! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had a blast at Lumley Castle's escape room! Immersed in Lily the ghost's tale, the atmosphere was perfect with challenging puzzles that kept us engaged. Our host was incredibly friendly, offering just the right hints to keep us on track and even gave us extra time when needed. Overall, a well-designed, thrilling experience we can't wait to repeat! Highly recommend for a fun outing with friends or family!

Bought the online Treasure Quest walking puzzle and it was terrible. We were stuck on the first question and it was 'Victoria' but wouldn't register because you had to enter it without a capital. Then, after a few further questions which weren't very challenging, you are told to walk 'downstream', which we did and then got very lost. When we clicked on the clue, it said to walk upstream - so the question was entirely incorrect! We gave up playing after this. Don't bother with this. Edit: I was given an apology and refund.

From the moment we arrived our host Matt was fabulous. Really enjoyed our experience, highly recommend

Played the escape room tonight with my partner and 3 of our children (21,16,15). We had an amazing time. Our host really set the mood with tales of ghosts still roaming the hallways and hinting as to what was to come. You really have to work as a team to work out the clues. The castle is an wonderful sight, especially at night. Would recommend anyone to give it a go...10/10

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The heart of Durham. A good place to meet in the city.

Cool but a bit random.

Nice statue

Got to love Durham

Chill statue

Ok

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.

We came in today with a young person we care for. The staff Hailey and Daniel were outstanding and an absolute credit to the place. Understanding, and went that extra mile. Couldn’t thank you enough!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ As Unlimited Plus holders, we’re at Odeon Durham regularly and it’s always a great experience. The cinema is modern, clean, and really well kept. What really makes it stand out though is the staff. They’re always friendly, welcoming, and love to chat about the films. It’s great when they ask what we thought, share their own opinions, or even recommend what to watch next. It’s that personal touch that keeps us coming back again and again. Highly recommend!

Comfortable seat, good screen, good experience I recently visited the Odeon in Durham to watch the latest Naked Gun movie. I’m not a big cinema goer, mainly because of the prices, and in this case a single ticket and drink cost close to £20, which is very expensive for what it is. That said, the cinema itself was good. The seats were comfortable, the screen quality was excellent, and the overall experience was positive. If you have an unlimited pass, this cinema could be a good option, as it allows you to get value out of multiple visits. However, for individual tickets, the prices are extremely high compared with many other places. In general, it was a good visit and I enjoyed the film, but the cost is definitely something to consider.

Amazing cinema with comfy seats and incredible food. Also a huge shout out to the lads working at the food counter around 6pm tonight and their supervisor for a great chat and recommendations. That's what customer service should be like! 😁

The cinema is brilliant! The car park is terrible though. The spaces are tiny! My husband I I go often and, even in his small Skoda Citigo, neither of us can ever get our doors open. He has to let me out and then park up, (I'm not a big lady!) Cannot fault the actual cinema though. Helpful staff and great screens/comfortable seats! 🙂

Durham Screen 6, 28th Oct, Depeche Mode M, sound quality was terrible, complained about how quiet and muffled the sound was after film started, said it would be looked into, did not improve. Now found out there was an issue with the Dolby sound, paying £47 for two tickets is a joke for a concert film with crap sound, expect a refund.

Rude staff, could not even buy a pack of juice as it was part of an offer, even though I suggested to pay for all the items. Was forced to explain my choice of a drink in front of other customers. Horrible experience on a night out. Staff clearly needs some additional training!

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.

The staff were friendly and helpful. It was lovely spending a few hours admiring Durham from the river. Great fun.

Amazing experience rowing in Durham for just £10! 🚣‍♂️ Even with zero experience, it was easy to pick up and such a fun way to see the city from the river. Passing under the bridges and sailing alongside other boats made it even more special. Kids absolutely loved it. Definitely worth trying.

Nice outdoor place. You can spend romantic day (1 hour) on a boat. When is nice hot day, just go there. Lots of restaurants, pubs, shops around as well. Only one bad thing is 10£ per person is little bit much for one hour.

10/10 service! They take card but require a £10 deposit in cash to make sure you don’t steal their stuff! Really quickly got us on board and showed us what to do. You can go three bridges down either way of the dock. We went three bridges to the right and back in an hour. Range of boat sizes. Such a fun experience and really friendly people running the place and on the river!

Friendly staff and a beautiful river environment to row up and down. The boats seemed safe and reasonably well maintained - they can take up to 5 people. Not super cheap for an hour, but what is these days? Definitely worth it.

Really friendly staff, decent prices and a very nice rowing route. Would definitely recommend.

A fantastic experience. It's so good. I've done it twice, and I'll do it again. Very relaxing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Although we had a voucher, 2x tickets came to £37 before purchasing food and drink. The screen itself felt barely bigger than a TV. Had a nice time but was reminded why this particular chain often feels like a ripoff unless you end up in the largest screen.

Had a fantastic time visiting York Everyman last night. Screen 1 was large and gave us an uninterrupted view of the movie and the sofas were very comfortable. The food was delicious and came promptly! Staff were very friendly and helpful. Thanks for a great night!!!

Went to watch a movie, stayed for the most amazing brownie and lovely cappuccino combo ever 😋 The armchair was super comfortable and the sound excellent. The fact that the food and drink is brought to your seat is amazing.

Always a fantastic experience! I regularly visit Everyman York for the baby club and it's always a great experience. The team are extremely welcoming and friendly, particularly James who has gone above and beyond to help on our recent visits.

Went to see Downton Abbey The Grand Finale at Everyman York. We were in screen 1 which was really big. Seats are good as usual for everyman and food and drink was amazing too. Great expierence from start to finish.

Firstly, this is a really beautiful cinema. We saw two films here on different days, and each screen was cosy and relatively small, with comfy sofa seating. Food and drink can be ordered at your seat (which has a table) and brought by friendly staff. Also must shout out the wonderful Jack who, when he found out it was my partner's birthday, brought us a complimentary glass of prosecco each. A lovely gesture on what was already a brilliant evening. Thank you!

We regularly use a different town’s Everyman but decided to give York a try while we were in the area. Screen one is HUGE and the seats are as comfortable and spacious as we have come to expect from everyman. What spurred me to write this review was the fantastic service we received from Jack. So friendly, enthusiastic and welcoming yet genuine and unobtrusive. We had a fabulous night, and left happy and impressed!

Need to be shut down..encouraging gambling for your profit and giving out drinks so they stay longer. Time to shut these places.

A lovely place to go for a drink 🍸

Haven't been there

Staff is great and friendly and friendly staff