Things to Do in Durham
Planning Your Trip
Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.
To build your own Itinerary, click to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
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.
See more ideas below.
Number of results: 59
, currently showing 41 to 59.
Historic House / Palace
Durham
Ushaw is set in the beautiful Durham countryside and houses architectural gems by Augustus Pugin and his followers. This amazing venue offers a wide variety of activities, events and exhibitions - something for all ages!
Railway
Stanhope
Take a ride on the Weardale Railway heritage passenger service to enjoy stunning views of Weardale, a National Landscape, and explore the historic market towns of Wolsingham and Stanhope.
Abbey / Priory
Bowes Village, Barnard Castle
Medieval monastic communities probably did not have much free time to enjoy picnics but the legacy they left behind in terms of beautiful abbeys and churches beckon the modern visitor. In the 13th century the Premonstratensian Canons, or “white…
Arts Centre
Barnard Castle
The Witham is a community venue for theatre, music, art and social events, facilities range from the architecturally award-winning café bar to a fully-renovated Victorian music hall.
Museum
Beamish
Discover an amazing journey through time at Beamish Museum as you travel back in time to the 1820s, early 1900s, 1940s and 1950s and become immersed in real, living history.
Castle / Fort
Darlington
Welcome to Raby Castle and Deer Park. A stunning complete medieval castle in County Durham with a fascinating history and stories to tell. Explore our Deer Park and adventure playground, The Plotters' Forest or learn about our fascinating Castle…
Nature Reserve
Seaham
The Durham Coast is well known for its spectacular wildflowers. Some of the fields at Blast Beach are among the best places to enjoy them, with plants like bloody cranesbill, dyer’s greenweed and devil’s-bit scabious creating a riot of colour in the…
Railway
Tanfield
Oldest existing railway in the world, opened 1725. Steam-hauled passenger trains, vintage carriages, 61 locomotives and steam-driven vintage workshop. Please see website for dates and operating times.
Cathedral / Minister
Durham City
Explore 2000 years of the North East’s history, culture and faith at Durham Cathedral Museum. Step into the octagonal Great Kitchen and get up close to iconic symbols of Durham, including the Sanctuary Ring and St Cuthbert’s Pectoral Cross.
Museum
Ireshopeburn
Small but fascinating volunteer run folk museum with an amazing collection including the beautiful Weardale Tapestry, displays on mining,a mineral collection and the finds from St Botolph's Chapel, Frosterley.Also a display commemorating the lives…
Show / Display
Stanley
On Sunday, 26th May visitors will have the special chance to see a variety of unusual and quirky cars at Beamish museum.
Castle / Fort
Durham
Brancepeth is one of the oldest castles in the North East. The building today is a combination of the Nevilles' medieval stronghold and the grand country house created for the wealthy Russell family in Regency times.
Heritage / Visitor Centre
Seaham
The East Durham Heritage and Lifeboat Centre displays the historic lifeboat The George Elmy and gives and insight into the rich heritage of the area.
Parkland / Woodland Garden
Sedgefield
This VisitEngland accredited attraction is an 18th Century parkland featuring beautiful views, rich heritage, archaeological remains and ecological diversity - a remarkable place to visit. The park is open daily with events held throughout the year.…
Heritage / Visitor Centre
Bishop Auckland
The People’s Museum is situated in the old Hippodrome.
Gallery
Bishop Auckland
No.42 is home to The Auckland Project’s Art, Social History Collection and Future Plans Exhibition. Here you can see some of the intriguing objects and archives that The Auckland Project holds, as well as hearing some of the fascinating oral…
Sedgefield
© Copyright Visit County Durham. All Rights Reserved
Registered Office: Visit County Durham, Room SF1C, 2nd Floor, Salvus House, Aykley Heads, Durham, DH1 5TS