Top Things to do in County Durham
Top Hotels in County Durham
- 1. Burnhopeside Hall
- 2. Travelodge Durham
- 3. Radisson Blu Hotel Durham
- 4. Premier Inn Durham City Centre (Walkergate) hotel
- 5. Premier Inn Hartlepool Marina hotel
- 6. Travelodge Hartlepool Marina Hotel
- 7. Premier Inn Durham North hotel
- 8. Ramside Hall Hotel
- 9. Lumley Castle Hotel
- 10. Blackwell Grange Hotel
10 Free Things to do in County Durham That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in County Durham, United Kingdom including North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, World War One Soldier Sculpture, The Glass and Art Gallery, Steam Machine Brewing Company, Wynch Bridge, Tommy, Low force, Durham Cathedral, Causey Arch, Egglestone Abbey.
Restaurants in County Durham
1. North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 109 reviews
The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a stunning landscape of open heather moors, dramatic dales, tumbling upland rivers, wonderful woods, close-knit communities, glorious waterfalls, fantastic birds, colourful hay meadows, stone-built villages, intriguing imprints of a mining and industrial past, distinctive plants and much, much more. As well as being an AONB the North Pennines is also a European and Global Geopark - a status endorsed by UNESCO. The AONB is a distinctive landscape of high moorland and broad upland dales in the North of England. It shares a boundary with the Yorkshire Dales National Park in the south and extends as far as the Tyne Valley, just south of Hadrain's Wall, in the north. Parts of the North Pennines AONB are in the three counties of Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is exactly what it says it is: an outstanding landscape whose distinctive character and natural beauty are so precious that it is in the nation's interest to safeguard them.There are 46 AONBs in Britain (33 wholly in England, four wholly in Wales, one which straddles the English/Welsh border and eight in Northern Ireland) and they cover 18% of our countryside. AONBs are designated in recognition of their national importance and to ensure that their character and qualities are protected for all to enjoy.
Reviewed By susanrO3381JM - Whitley Bay, United Kingdom
Just spent the afternoon visiting the monumental art installation that is 'Hush' in Upper Teesdale - can't tell you how much joy it brought me. A lovely amble through woodland and farm yards to get to Bales Hush and it was well worth the effort. The sun came out and the sails of fabric dazzled in the breeze. Met some fantastic people - fellow walkers, locals who lived nearby and even the artist - Steve Messam. Start your adventure at Bowlees Visitor Centre. Wear some sturdy shoes as it can get a bit damp under foot but hurry as it will be gone by 5th August.
2. World War One Soldier Sculpture
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 872 reviews
Reviewed By BigTribe - Thirsk, United Kingdom
This is a beautiful and moving sculpture in the centre of Seaham. At the moment the area around it is cordoned off due to Covid.
3. The Glass and Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By 926rodc
This is a brilliant shop full of wonderful gifts of all shapes and sizes for every budget. This is the place to go. Parking is a bit of a pain..i used the leisure centre nearby...a hidden gem well worth a visit.
4. Steam Machine Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 48 reviews
Visit Steam Machine Brewing Company's BREW ROOM for a constantly changing selection of fresh craft beer from our core range, as well as BREW ROOM exclusives. Interact with the brewers in the heart of the brewery. On and off-site sales available, including bottles, gift packs, and growler fills.
Reviewed By O5421ZXjanw
What a gem of a find, unfined real ale which is spot on, pizzas with an indian twist, surrounding is awesome...sat in the bar, or with the brew in mash tuns, boilers and fermentation tanks, alternatively you have the yurt to snuggle into with your ale. Utterly awesome.
5. Wynch Bridge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By susieb130 - Middleton in Teesdale, United Kingdom
Absolutely fabulous place, gateway to lots of great walks. Tranquil place, beautiful scenery and one of my special places
6. Tommy
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By T7072ZZpauls
Brilliant Sculpture in metal of WW1 Soldier Tommy and the Parking Area Barrier Rail Fence has more Memories of those that served in the conflict. All overlooking the Sea with plenty of Parking and opposite the famous award winning Clean Bean Restaurant which has plenty of choice on the Menu or just a Coffee or Brew if that's what you are after - Plenty of other stuff to do over a few hours in Seaham.
7. Low force
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By derekh74 - Hunstanton, United Kingdom
We’d been to High Force some years ago, so this time we headed to Low Force. We parked at Bowlees Visitor Centre. Parking there is pay and display and the ticket machine issues a ticket on receipt of your donation. There is a suggested donation depending how long you wish to stay. There is a small amount of free parking in a lay by on the road. From the car park you can walk across past the visitor centre and over the road, cross a field and through a small wooded area to see Low Force. You can cross a suspension bridge and walk to High Force, but we didn’t. We returned to the car park and from there found our way to Summerhill Force and Gibson’s Cave. It is a bit of a climb on some quite deep steps but well worth the effort.
8. Durham Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,765 reviews
Durham Cathedral welcomes non-flash visitor photography. We have been a place of worship, welcome and hospitality for almost one thousand years. We rely on donations, and we suggest you give £3 per person to support the Cathedral's future. Located at the heart of the Durham UNESCO World Heritage Site, Durham Cathedral is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Europe. Built in 1093, the Cathedral is famous as the Shrine of St Cuthbert and the resting place of the Venerable Bede. Durham Cathedral also boasts the most intact surviving set of medieval monastic buildings in the UK. These spectacular spaces house Open Treasure, a world-class visitor experience which reveals the remarkable story of Durham Cathedral and its incredible collections through temporary and permanent exhibits for visitors of all ages. Charges apply to group tours, public tours and Open Treasure.
Reviewed By RafalWVIIX - Skoki, Poland
Durham Cathedral was second best place I'd a chance to visit during my short trip around north-east England. The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham is magnificent example of late Romanesque architecture with Gothic features incorporated here and there, that created harmonious whole. I would say, that Durham's Cathedral is fine example of transition form from late Romanesque style to the new, Gothic style. Construction of cathedral started in 1093, and took several decades, Stone edifice was erected in place of much smaller and humbler Anglo-Saxon wooden church. In thirteen century cathedral was already in need of repairing. Along with those necessary works, cathedral's expansion has progressed. From three towers that cathedral has acquired that time, the central one was damaged by lightning and then was rebuilt in 15th century. Thanks to new techniques developed during Medieval period cathedral was equipped with new rose and pointed arch windows characteristic for newborn architectural style that was taking over Europe, namely, Gothic. In 17th century cathedral was used as makeshift prison after the Battle of Dunbar. The prisoners, kept in inhumane conditions, destroyed much of the woodwork. These damages were partly restored in second half of 17th century by Bishop John Cosin. Works carried out in 18th and 19th centuries considerably altered cathedral's character. Much of the outer stone work of the cathedral was smoothed off and most of the Chapter House was demolished. Cosin's wooden organ screen was removed. During Victorian restoration Cathedral's central tower was refurbished, also new marble choir screen and pulpit in the Crossing were added. 20th century brought along with it restoring the Shrine of St Cuthbert behind the High Altar. Current, 21st century witnessed some more changes that took place in cathedral's interior. Two altars in Nine Altars Chapel were re-dedicated and new painting and sculptures were placed there. The Durham's Cathedral is a must see for everyone who's roaming around north-east England. What's made the greatest impression on me, were in the first place massive, Romanesque columns, and omnipresent arches. The Cathedral has unique atmosphere, and the play between the light and the shadow within its walls is truly amazing. Its exterior is no less impressive. One of the best cathedrals I'd ever seen. Period.
9. Causey Arch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 101 reviews
Reviewed By L3095CCangelas - Stanley, United Kingdom
Lovely views and scenery with a short Woodlands walk to the Arch. Alongside Tanfield Railway (the world's oldest railway) longer walks through the woods after the Arch and a must for people interested in photography
10. Egglestone Abbey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 284 reviews
Reviewed By gillianb624
There is a plaque explaining all the details of the abbey the views from the top are fantastic well worth a visit great walking country
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