Six wonderful things that will happen on your trip to Durham this year

Okay, we’re not talking full TARDIS-style tourism here, but Beamish, The Living Museum of the North truly is the next best thing. Kids and adults alike won’t be able to resist the joys of full immersion in the North East’s past; meet mining families in the 1990s Pit Village, try fish and chips cooked in coal-fired ranges and get a 1950s hairstyle. Families will not want to miss a trip to Locomotion in Shildon, the world’s first railway town, where they can get up close to legendary rail vehicles from the national collection. There’s even a new play area there for little ones.

The beguiling Durham Dales are a must-visit for nature-lovers – and that’s before you add High Force into the itinerary. This epic waterfall crashes down from a height of nearly 70 feet. Top tip: the waterfall is just a 30-minute drive away from Raby Castle, an epic medieval castle and deer park. Want more outdoor experiences? At Hamsterley Forest 5,000 acres of woodland are waiting to be explored – from exhilarating mountain biking routes to a Gruffalo Trail for little hikers. At Derwent Waterside Park, visitors of all ages can immerse themselves in nature and enjoy sweeping views across the reservoir (and kids will love the interactive play space). And, when the sun goes down, you can stargaze at Grassholme Observatory, where you’ll find some of the country’s darkest skies.

It may seem an unlikely location to get up close to works by El Greco, Velásquez and Murillo, but the Spanish Gallery is the UK’s largest collection of sixteenth and seventeenth-century Spanish artworks outside London. It’s located in Bishop Auckland, in the Vale of Durham – a town that is fast becoming a hub for heritage sites thanks to The Auckland Project. Other local attractions include Auckland Castle, once home to the powerful Prince Bishops of Durham, and the Mining Art Gallery, which shines a light on working life in the coal mines through original artworks and artefacts. 

Did you know there is a giant French-style building in Barnard Castle, in the heart of the Durham Dales, packed full of fine and decorative arts? The Bowes Museum has a fascinating story to tell: it was founded in the nineteenth century by businessman John Bowes and his wife Josephine, a French actress who wanted to share her passion for art with the people of Teesdale. One of the museum’s most prized items is the magnificent Silver Swan automaton, which celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2023. ‘Movement’, a special exhibition about its creator John Joseph Merlin, runs from July 8 to January 7, 2024. And if this captures your interest, there are even more treasures to discover at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens on the outskirts of Durham City.

From dale to vale, coast to city, Durham is filled with top-notch dining spots that champion locally sourced seasonal produce. If you’re visiting the Spanish Gallery, be sure to stop in for tapas next door at El Castillo. There’s nothing quite like a hearty pub lunch in a cosy setting – and that’s exactly what you’ll find at the Rose & Crown at Romaldkirk in the Durham Dales. We’ll be having the house-made shortcrust venison and bacon pie with triple cooked chips! And if a staycation just isn’t complete without a visit to an atmospheric tearoom, you can’t go past scones at the Undercroft Café, within Durham Cathedral itself. Durham is also home to two major food festivals: Bishop Auckland Food Festival in April, and Seaham Food Festival in August. 

Durham is filled with lovely spots to rest your head after a day of exploration. If you’re looking for a central location close to Bishop Auckland, then the newly refurbished Park Head Hotel is a great option. If you’re staying in the city, then Radisson Blu Hotel is a comfortable and convenient choice. Or, for the full luxurious country house experience, choose Headlam Hall Rural Retreat in the Durham Dales. And for self-catering you can find lots more great accommodation at Host & Stay.

Discover more and book your 2023 staycation in Durham