Durham has everything you could want from a short break; including five-star hotels, a spectacular coastline, acres of lush landscapes and a host of cultural attractions. With the coast, country and city all in one county, you’ll never be lost for things to do in Durham.
Admittedly, I’ve been a somewhat lazy North East adoptee. I moved to Sunderland (for a boy – what else?) a few years ago but until two years ago, I’d seen embarrassingly little of the region. I was preoccupied with jetting off on adventures abroad, oblivious to all the amazing things on my doorstep.
I’m forever thankful that being ‘stuck’ in the UK opened my eyes to the beauty of North East England. Recent local adventures have included days by the sea in Tynemouth, a trip to Tees Valley to visit some of our favourite eateries and fun afternoons over in Newcastle.
I’m so pleased to say that I have teamed up with This Is Durham to share all of the top things to do in County Durham!
Together, we created an itinerary that takes in the very best places to go on Durham’s coastline, the top attractions in Durham city centre and the most exciting places to visit in Durham’s countryside.
Here’s my pick of what to do in Durham; whether you’re a culture vulture, a nature lover or just need some ideas for things to do in County Durham with kids at the weekend.
Best things to do in Durham, UK
Part one of this Durham guide focuses on the Durham coastal area, part two focuses on the City of Durham, and part three focuses on Durham’s countryside.
What to do on the Durham coast
Stretching from Sunderland to Hartlepool, Durham’s rugged coastline has emerged from its industrial past to become one of the North East’s most beautiful destinations.
Some of the best places to visit in Durham can be found outside of the city, by the sea.
1. Walk the Durham Heritage Coast
The Durham Coastal Footpath is an 11-mile walking route following the England Coast Path National Trail. With epic views out to the wild North Sea on one side and scenic landscapes on the other, this is one of the prettiest walks in the North East.
Starting in Seaham and stretching south to Crimdon, there are 11 miles to explore. We walked from Nose’s Point to Easington and were treated to some truly spectacular scenery.
On your walk, you can expect to traverse windswept clifftops with untouched grasslands, magical denes carved into the landscape at the end of the last ice age and secluded coves that you’ll have to yourself on overcast days.
Pack your hiking boots – the trail gets muddy when the weather has been wet! Mine are from Tog24 and they did a great job of keeping my feet dry and comfortable during my adventures in Durham.
2. Explore Hawthorn Dene
Crowned by an immense viaduct, Hawthorn Dene is a steep-sided ravine that cuts through the magnesian limestone of the Durham Coast. It’s a fun place for kids to explore and makes for a beautiful woodland walk at any time of year.
See if you can spot the crumbling remains of Hawthorn Towers, where the Pemberton family resided from 1836. They had their own private railway in the dene!
The dene is sheltered by a canopy of ash, sycamore and oak trees that open onto the rocky shore of Hawthorn Hive. If you’re lucky and tread quietly, you might just spot a roe deer in the trees!
We walked through Hawthorn Dene on our coastal walk in Durham but if you’re visiting from inland by car, take the B1432, 1km south of Cold Hesleden, head east until the end of the road and park at the red brick bungalow.
Follow the track through the gate for approximately 350m before turning right onto the nature trail into the wood.
3. Have a day at Durham’s seaside
There are some incredible beaches in Durham and when the weather is poor, the shore is blissfully quiet.
When the sun shines, the harbour town of Seaham rivals better-known seaside destinations in the UK. It’s about half a mile long and the views of the cliffs are pretty impressive.
The sandy beach and rock pools at the far end provide ample terrain for sunbathers and busybodies alike. While you stretch out on the sand, your more active companions can look for crabs in the rock pools and splash in the shallows.
There’s a smaller cove next to Seaham Harbour that’s great for families, and plenty of shops and eateries in the town so you can easily spend the full day at one of Durham’s best beaches.
4. Do water sports in Seaham Marina
I lived in Sunderland for about five years before I ever discovered Seaham Marina. (Yeah, my fiance is a rubbish North East tour guide!)
I was thrilled when I found out you can do water sports and other activities in Durham! On a warm day, Seaham Marina basically transports you to the Costa del Sol.
You can try your hand at kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding in Seaham Marina. I’ve yet to try it, but I’m definitely going to book a session when the weather warms up.
It’s the kind of thing I love to try when I’m abroad, so I don’t know why I never sought it out closer to home!
Afterwards, grab a milkshake to refuel. The Lookout Cafe on the Marina boasts one of the best views in Seaham.
Sit outside and look out to sea if the weather is playing nice, or shelter inside in the colourful cafe. They serve hot and cold drinks as well as tasty snacks.
5. Collect sea glass on Seaham Beach
One of the most unique free things to do in Durham is tied to the coastline’s industrial past.
Seaham was home to one of the country’s largest glass factories – Londonderry Bottleworks – until the 1920s. A lot of the glass was dumped into the sea and this unexpectedly resulted in a quirky pastime for the area’s local residents!
When the tide goes out, you’ll notice people walking along the shore of North Beach in Seaham with their eyes fixed intently on the ground. That’s because the beach is one of the best places in the UK to find sea glass.
Smoothed from 100 years in the sea, these tiny gems are easy to pick out if you have a beady eye – the colours range from transparent to bright green.
There’s free parking at Tonya’s Cafe or Nose’s Point, so this is a day out in Durham that won’t cost you a penny.
6. Have an ice cream at Lickety Split
Looking for ideas for what to do in Durham with kids? You can’t go wrong with an ice cream by the sea! In Seaham, be sure to stop at Lickety Split.
The retro-styled ice cream parlour on Seaham seafront serves multiple national award-winning ice creams made on the premises. They’ve won first place in UK ice cream competitions twice.
The sundaes are particularly good!
7. Visit Tommy
The steel statue of a soldier known as ‘Tommy’ by locals was placed on the grass overlooking Seaham Beach to commemorate World War One.
8. Shop at Dalton Park
Dalton Park is our go-to outlet for big brand names at bargain prices in Durham. I go a few times a year and load up on outdoor gear at Adidas, New Balance and Tog24 then get all of my makeup at The Cosmetics Company.
Check out my guide to shopping at Dalton Park for more tips.
Things to do in Durham City
Durham has to be one of the most beautiful cities to visit in the north of England. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s among the top UK cities for a short break!
1. Visit Durham Cathedral
Perhaps the most famous of all the things to see in Durham, the cathedral dates back over 1,000 years when it was a Benedictine monastery in 995. It has UNESCO World Heritage status.
It’s home to the Shrine of St Cuthbert and the burial place of the Venerable Bede, so the region’s history is intertwined with that of this breathtaking building.
You can pay a donation in lieu of an entry fee to go inside Durham Cathedral. It’s worth it to see the elaborate stained glass windows, decor and of course, the tranquil Cloisters. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you can’t miss this while you’re in Durham!
Kids will love the replica of the cathedral made from LEGO which is on display in the Undercroft Foyer.
2. Walk along the riverside
A leisurely walk along the river has to be one of the best free things to do in Durham. Particularly stunning in autumn when the river is redolent with gold and red fallen leaves, this walk is the perfect romantic activity in Durham for couples.
Grab a coffee to takeaway from Flat White Kitchen, which is probably the best coffee shop in Durham, and make your way along the River Wear.
You can do a three-mile circular walk that takes around 1-1.5 hours. Longer if you stop for photos every 100 yards like I did!
3. See Durham Castle
Another of the must-see sights in Durham is the museums, galleries and Botanic Garden at Durham Castle. It is now used as a university building.
The oldest parts of the Castle date back to around 1072 when William the Conquerer ordered the construction of a new fort.
4. Check out the best bars in Durham
Like any good university city, Durham has great nightlife – but it’s not all cheap shots and student nights. Durham has some lovely sophisticated bars, ranging from Old Tom’s Gin Bar to The Dun Cow.
Be sure to visit the smallest bar in Durham, Tin of Sardines. It’s a cute gin bar on Elvet Bridge!
Things to do in the Durham Countryside
There’s so much more to do in the Durham region, and I’m ashamed that I hadn’t been to any of the attractions in Durham’s countryside before my press trip!
The below ideas all have the makings of a memorable day out in the Durham Dales and the Vale of Durham.
1. Visit Raby Castle
Raby Castle is my new favourite place to visit in Durham. Both Tom and I enjoyed it far more than we expected to!
Raby Castle was built in the 14th century by the powerful Nevill family. It was home to Cecily Nevill, mother of two kings of England.
It was also the scene of the plotting of the Rising of the North and a Parliamentary stronghold during the Civil War.
As you tour the castle, which is painstakingly maintained, you’ll find members of staff in each of the grand rooms.
From the refined opulence of the library to the polished yet functional drafty kitchen, each of the rooms that are open to the public tells a fascinating story of the building’s history.
The castle is nestled in 200 acres of lush woodland, where herds of wild deer roam freely. Walking around the grounds felt like I’d stepped back into one of the books I read as a child!
There are walled gardens in the grounds which I’d highly recommend exploring, and a Woodland Adventure Playground for children.
There are even hire bikes you can use to explore the grounds.
You can easily plan a whole day out in Durham’s Raby Castle if you stop in the onsite coffee shop (housed in the old stables) for lunch.
2. Walk to High Force
This dramatic waterfall in Durham is a must-visit for adventurous folk. The River Tees plunges 21 metres into a pool in Forest-in-Teesdale.
The walk to the High Force waterfall from the road is a gorgeous one, especially in autumn when we visited.
Perhaps more impressive though, is Low Force, further down the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. You can get super close to the water, and even kayak on the rapids if you’re brave enough. Are you?
3. Tour The Bowes Museum
Need inspiration for what to do in Durham on a rainy day? Another fabulous attraction in Durham’s countryside, The Bowes Museum is housed in a truly majestic building that was commissioned by the Bowes family back in the 19th century.
I forgot I was still in the North East as we crunched over the gravel on the magnificent drive!
Inside The Bowes Museum you’ll find an array of collections spanning art, fashion and design. I loved the Fashion and Textiles Gallery in particular.
The Bowes Museum is well-known for its 18th century silver swan, a unique musical automation controlled by three separate clockwork mechanisms.
The Bowes’ bought the piece from Parisian jeweller M. Briquet in 1872. John and Joséphine first saw the swan at the 1867 Paris International Exhibition where jeweller Harry Emanuel exhibited it.
4. Explore Finchale Abbey
If you’re keen to see another of Durham’s top tourist attractions, visit Finchale Abbey on the banks of the River Wear.
Founded in 1196 on the site of the hermitage of St Godric, a retired sailor and merchant, the priory was an outpost of Durham Cathedral and functioned as a holiday retreat for the monks of Durham until its suppression in 1538.
After you’ve explored the ruins, there’s a lovely riverside walk at the abbey.
5. Walk in Hamsterley Forest
Hamsterley Forest is Durham’s largest forest. It’s popular with bikers, horseriders and walkers alike.
There are four main walking trails, including a 1.5-mile riverside walk which is wheelchair accessible.
They’ve recently opened a ‘Wellbeing trail’, which I love as a concept!
6. Glamp in a shepherds hut
For a unique stay in Durham’s achingly beautiful countryside, look no further than Teesdale Cheesemakers shepherd huts near Bishop Auckland.
These luxury huts offer the ultimate glamping experience in Durham. They have wood-fired hot tubs, loads of space, a full en-suite and the site has goats and other farmyard animals.
It’s adults-only and there’s a cheese-centric cafe onsite too.
Where to stay in Durham
Where to stay on the Durham coast
There are a lot of great spa hotels in the North East, but by far the best is Seaham Hall. It’s exceptional for the attention to detail in the little luxuries you’ll find in each suite and the decor is playful yet sumptuous.
It’s the yardstick for luxury hotels I visit all over the world.
Everywhere I go because of my job as a travel blogger, I ask myself, ‘but does it compete with Seaham Hall?‘
I reviewed Seaham Hall’s duo spa day package last year and thought it was the perfect way to relax and get away from it all with your partner.
You can read my full (but slightly old) review of Seaham Hall Hotel if you’re thinking of booking a stay.
You can check prices and availability at Seaham Hall here.
Where to stay in Durham city centre
I stayed at Forty Winks, a quirky yet stylish guesthouse in Durham city centre a while back and I’d recommend it to anyone.
The rooms are modern and luxurious, it’s steps from Durham Cathedral on a quiet leafy street, and the decor downstairs will give you plenty to talk about.
You can check prices and availability for Forty Winks B&B in Durham here.
Where to stay in Durham’s countryside
High Force Hotel is the ideal place to stay if you’re visiting Durham’s most famous waterfall. A former country shooting inn, today the small hotel has 11 en-suite bedrooms, each with its own design and quirks.
While the hotel retains its historic allure, the rooms are furnished with all the necessary modern luxuries.
We had a roll-top bathtub in our room which pleased me to no end!
High Force Hotel is dog-friendly, making it the perfect retreat with your four-legged friend.
Find accommodation in Durham using the booking.com map below
Booking.comI’ll be adding to this guide to where to go in Durham as I explore more of my local area, but I really hope this post has inspired you to visit Durham!
Where is your favourite place to visit in Durham? Let me know in the comments so I can check it out!
More places to visit near County Durham
My guide to the perfect weekend in Newcastle
The best walking trail to see Newcastle’s attractions
Where to eat and drink in Sunderland
A dog-friendly day out in Tynemouth and Cullercoats
Where to eat in Middlesbrough and Tees Valley
Where to eat Sunday lunch in Northumberland
The most magical glamping sites in Northumberland
Romantic places to stay in Northumberland
Why Beamish is a great day out in the North East
A complete England itinerary for first-time visitors
As mentioned at the beginning of this guide to visiting Durham, this is a sponsored post in collaboration with Visit County Durham. Views are my own. If you need any further information on what to do in Durham, contact the Visitor Information Centre:
Telephone: 03000 26 26 26
Email: visitor@thisisdurham.com
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