Things to Do in Durham
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You are here > Home > Things to Do > Attractions > Hands on History
The past comes to life in Durham. Get hands-on with history at the award-winning Beamish, discover the hidden stories of Durham's UNESCO Wrold Heritage Site of Durham Cathedral and Castle, or don a hard hat and head down the mine at Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum.
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Number of results: 59
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Heritage / Visitor Centre
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Situated amidst stunning woodland, near to Low and High Force waterfalls and surrounded by rolling fields that boast some of the best hay meadows in England, Bowlees Visitor Centre has all you need to make your visit to the North Pennines National…
Children/Family events
Durham City
This summer, Durham Cathedral will welcome Peter Walker’s installation – Peace Doves.
National Trust
Durham City
The medieval hall merges into a Jacobean manor house, which in turn merges into a Georgian town house, reflecting its development over the centuries. The Hall provides a spectacular backdrop to the stunning 10-acre gardens, paddock and fields,…
Abbey / Priory
Barnard Castle
Charming ruins of Premonstratensian Abbey and picnic area in a picturesque location on the River Tees.
Abbey / Priory
Durham City
The very extensive remains of a 13thC priory, founded on the site of a retired pirate's hermitage.
Museum
Horden
Heritage Centre with themed rooms. Mining Museum going back 100 years with 350 archives, photographs of Horden, lots of history, 1940s rooms.
Gallery
Bishop Auckland
Bishop Auckland Town Hall is a multi-purpose cultural venue situated in Bishop Auckland market place. It offers regular art exhibitions, live music, theatre and films as well as a café and library with free internet access and local history…
Picnic Site
Stanley
Picnic site which is home to the world’s oldest surviving single arch railway bridge.
Historic Site
Durham City
Raffaele Monti's statue of Charles William Vane Stewart, the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry.
Church / Chapel
Bishop Auckland
One of England's finest Saxon churches, Escomb dates to the 7thC and contains a Roman arch and stonework. If locked keys available from 28 Saxon Green (daily 9-6 during summer and 9-4 during winter).
Industrial Archaeology
Hamsterley
Built in the 1720s, Derwentcote is the earliest and most complete steel-making furnace to have survived in Britain.
Show / Display
Stanley
The Northern Counties Photographic Federation (NCPF) will be putting on a fantastic display of their work.
Castle / Fort
Durham City
Durham Castle is part of the Durham City World Heritage Site. Entrance by guided tour only. Opening can vary - All enquiries re guided tours should be directed Palace Green Library. Telephone 0191 334 2932 or castle.tours@durham.ac.uk.
Gallery
Seaham
The EDAN Gallery is the only dedicated art gallery in East Durham.
Gallery
Bishop Auckland
With three permanent rooms and one temporary exhibition space on the ground floor, the gallery explores working life in the coal mines through original artefacts and artworks by prominent mining artists such as Tom McGuinness and Norman Cornish.
Historic Site
Durham
Ruins of a medieval manor house used as a medieval country retreat for the Priors of Durham. Dates from mid 13th century. .
Castle / Fort
Barnard Castle
The impressive ruins of Henry II's 12thC tower keep, set within the earthworks of a Roman fort guarding the strategic Stainmore Pass over the Pennines.
Historic Site
Durham City
The Town Hall has been central to life in Durham city for more than 650 years. Learn about the powerful Prince Bishops, the evolution of local government and the historic and ongoing roles of the Mayor and Mayor’s Bodyguard. Since the 14th Century…
Heritage / Visitor Centre
Durham City
Providing a perfect introduction to the Durham World Heritage Site for all ages, the visitor centre is the gateway to discovering what it is that makes Durham so significant, and what there is to see and do around the peninsula.
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