Fun Days Out for All the Family in County Durham
Looking for something to keep the kids entertained this summer?
Raby Castle
One of England’s finest medieval castles, Raby has many stories to tell. Built by John Nevill, 3rd Baron Nevill de Raby, this castle has a fascinating history. Originally built as a palace fortress, it was home to Cecily Nevill (mother of two kings of England), played a prominent part in the Rising of the North, and was a Parliamentary stronghold during the Civil War. Inside is a mix of medieval, Regency and Victorian interiors. Outside you can stroll in 200 acres of deer park and gardens, where you’ll meet herds of resident red and fallow deer. Children will love The Plotters’ Forest – an immersive outdoor playground with sky-high turrets and treetop tunnels located in a magical Christmas Tree Plantation. There’s a dedicated toddler area too. This summer we eagerly await the unveiling of The Rising, an ambitious development including three heritage buildings, two new constructions and a visionary walled garden remodelled by renowned garden designer Luciano Giubbilei with Lady Barnard.
Staindrop DL2 3AH
01833 660202
raby.co.uk
Beamish: The Living Museum of the North
Inspired by the open-air museums of Scandinavia, Beamish was the brainchild of Frank Atkinson who moved to the region in the late 1950s. He saw a unique way of life here which he felt could disappear so he set about collecting culture in as many ways as he could. This open-air museum has been built using objects, images and stories donated by local people to create an archive of North East life covering the past two centuries. Remaking Beamish brings a new era to the museum and includes 25 new exhibits and attractions with a 1950s Town and Farm. There’s so much to see and do right across Beamish: take a ride on a bus or tram, pop into the replica home of famous North East artist Norman Cornish and don’t miss a trip to the iconic sweetshop in The 1900s Town.
Beamish DH9 0RG
beamish.org.uk
Binchester Roman Fort
Binchester (Vinovia) was founded around 80AD and for a time was one of the largest Roman military installations in the whole of Northern Britain, large enough to have accommodated a battle-group formed of several cohorts of legionary infantry and one or more units of auxiliary cavalry. Explore the exceptionally well preserved remains of not one but two bath houses here. One lies inside the fort and has one of the most intact hypocaust (underfloor) heating systems in the whole of Britain. The other bath house lies outside the fort and is even better preserved, with walls still standing to a height of more than two metres. Find out why taking a bath in Roman times was about more than just getting clean. Walk in the footsteps of Roman soldiers within the remains of the commanding officer’s house and see if you can find the ‘Beast of Binchester’ among the ruins.
Bishop Auckland DL14 8DJ
Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels & Gardens
Henry VIII and Elizabeth I swapped Roman Catholicism for their new Church of England. Meanwhile, the forefathers of Ushaw spent 300 years living in Northern France. Forced out by the French Revolution, they set sail back to England looking for a new home. Near Ushaw Moor they bought land and built this historic house, chapels and gardens and created a school for priests. Ushaw expanded over the years and today you can take a tour through the corridors, chapels and cloisters and the permanent exhibitions include some amazing artworks and artefacts, but from a 1940s weekend to their popular summer concert there are always plenty of different events happening here too.
Near Durham City DH7 7DW
ushaw.org
Diggerland
The ultimate theme park experience, children and adults can ride, drive and operate real diggers, dumpers and other full-size construction machinery at Diggerland. Take a spin on Spindizzy, enjoy the views from 50 feet up on the Diggerland Skyshuttle or hold on tight for an off-road ride on the Groundshuttle. There are go-karts, dodgems, an indoor soft play and mini Land Rovers to try out too before the kids start digging for buried treasure.
Langley Park, Durham DH7 9TT
01634 711711
diggerland.com
Locomotion
Discover how the sleepy County Durham town of Shildon become an integral part of railway history (the world’s first railway town in fact), and explore heritage rail vehicles at Locomotion. With a total of 99 vehicles, Locomotion has the largest undercover collection of historic railway vehicles in Europe. In the New Hall find a host of historic vehicles built at Shildon Works, an armoured tank, the oldest oil tanker in the world, two snowploughs and a tracked Bren Gun Carrier. Histories from Shildon’s rail workers, historic film clips and graphics bring the collection to life, highlighting the significance of coal, industry and freight transportation and how the North East’s industry and innovation influenced the world.
Shildon DL4 2RE
01904 685780
locomotion.org.uk
Auckland Castle
Once home to the Prince Bishops of Durham, visitors can discover almost 1,000 years of history within Auckland Castle, which sits high above the River Wear (and just a short stroll from the shops). Marvel at the majestic Throne Room, check out the former apartments of the Bishops of Durham and explore the Long Dining Room which is home to 13 life-sized figures (Jacob and His Twelve Sons) painted by Francisco de Zurbarán. These paintings were bought by Bishop Trevor in 1756 and inspired Bishop Auckland’s Spanish Gallery (just a stone’s throw away). Visitors to the Castle will also find the Bishop Trevor Gallery which hosts ever-changing exhibitions. While the Castle’s deer park is perfect for a stroll in the afternoon, don’t miss your chance to visit the redesigned Walled Garden (with accompanying glasshouse, Faith Garden and Wilderness Garden) which has recently been unveiled to the public (and has been almost a decade in the making).
Market Place, Bishop Auckland DL14 7NR
aucklandproject.org
Durham Cathedral
Whether you’re playing Harry Potter in the cloisters or discovering its fascinating history, Durham Cathedral is the place to be. We’re all familiar with the arresting sight of the Cathedral on the Durham skyline but it’s even more impressive up close. One of the North East’s two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Cathedral packs almost 1,000 years of history into one building, and is the final resting place of both St Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede. Climb the 325 steps and enjoy unrivalled views over the historic city.
Durham DH1 3EH
0191 386 4266
durhamcathedral.co.uk
