Top Things to do in Durham
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10 Things to Do in Durham That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Durham, United Kingdom (UK) including Fury Events, Durham Cathedral, Hall Hill Farm, Crook Hall & Gardens, Oriental Museum, Durham Riverside Walk, East Durham Coast, Durham Castle, Palace Green, Finchale Priory.
Restaurants in Durham
1. Fury Events
Overall Ratings
5 based on 148 reviews
Reviewed By Kay M
We booked the Clay Pigeon Shooting for my sons 18th birthday. It was a fantastic experience and would highly recommend booking. Instructors offer constant guidance so you get the best from your experience. Friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Well worth the money.
2. Durham Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Durham Cathedral has been a place of worship, welcome and hospitality for almost one thousand years. Located at the heart of the Durham UNESCO World Heritage Site, Durham Cathedral is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Europe. Built in 1093, the Cathedral is famous as the Shrine of St Cuthbert and the resting place of the Venerable Bede. Durham Cathedral also boasts the most intact surviving set of medieval monastic buildings in the UK. These spectacular spaces house Open Treasure, a world-class visitor experience which reveals the remarkable story of Durham Cathedral and its incredible collections through temporary and permanent exhibits for visitors of all ages. Entrance to Durham Cathedral is free, with donations invited. Charges apply to group tours, public tours and Open Treasure.
Reviewed By sheepygold - london
This Cathedral is set in an imposing position above the river and the city. The main entrance is on the lovely Palace Green. Unfortunately the tower is closed for major renovation which means the building is less photogenic than usual also you cannot climb the tower for the amazing views. The inside of the church is majestic. Do not miss At Beds and and Cuthbert's tombs. There is a very good cafe and shop too. The choir is special as is the stained glass. Watch out for the bats in the cloisters and the new Lego model. No photography allowed. Leave by the cafe exit and explore the beautiful buildings at the rear and the historical road running along the side of the church called North and South Bailey.
3. Hall Hill Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 486 reviews
Award winning Farm Attraction, Farm Attraction of the Year 2017 and 2010. Best in Education 2014, Winner of Silver NE Tourism Awards 2013 and Silver Award for Small Visitor Attraction of the Year 2017. See the animals, cuddle the rabbits and Guinea pigs, donkey rides, tractor and trailer rides. Lambing Time in March April. Indoor Soft Play Barn, tearoom and giftshop. Crazy golf (deposit required). Sheep Racing and puppet shows at weekends and during school holidays.
Reviewed By Khudson2611 - Gateshead, United Kingdom
Visited today with my 3 year old nephew and my mother. The farm was a fantastic venue for a autumnal day out. We arrived at 10 (hadn't checked the opening times on the website) but staff still let us into the gift shop to browse prior to them opening. We found the activities put on for halloween excellent, a treasure hunt, puppet show, maze, wizard school and pumpkin carving (at an additional charge) were fantastic. The usual farm activities were also available feeding times, animals to hold, tractor and trailer ride and sheep racing. The bouncy cushion was also open, one side note to mention with this was that we felt that there should be some sort of height limit for this attraction simply as my nephew found it a bit rough with the older children and only ended up staying on the cushion for about two minutes as he was bounced off the side of it. The indoor play barn is fantastic and the park is another fantastic feature. Staff were absolutely lovely, friendly and warm with lots of knowledge and excellent with my nephew. I felt then entrance price was reasonable as there was plenty to keep children occupied there all day, obviously some activities do come with an additional charge but these are optional. Thank you Hall Hill for a thoroughly enjoyable day!
4. Crook Hall & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 798 reviews
Crook Hall is a Medieval Manor house built circa 1217 and is one of the oldest inhabited houses in Durham City. Home to the Bell Family since 1995, 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 5 acres of stunning Gardens. Visitors from all over the world come to share in the timeless magic of Crook Hall and leave inspired by these idyllic English Gardens. Afternoon Tea is served in the beautiful Georgian Drawing Room. We are open from Sunday to Wednesday and welcome visitors throughout the year. We have two modern self catering apartments available in the heart of Durham City. We are a unique, historic wedding venue providing exclusive use of a beautiful and romantic setting. Our Licensed Garden Gate Café is open 7 days a week from 9:30am - 5pm serving breakfasts, light lunches and refreshments along with wines and local ales.
Reviewed By MoiraJB - Durham, United Kingdom
Nestled by the banks of the River Wear is this quirky old Manor House with its beautiful Gardens. We live locally so we visit the Garden Cafe regularly (its outside the entrance). Although the scones can be too crumbly to eat easily, they’re very tasty and tea is served in proper China teapots, cups and saucers. It’s always piping hot too, one of the best cuppas around! There are lots of yummy looking cakes on offer too.
On a fine day the Gardens are a delight - lots of nooks and crannies to explore, beautiful flowers and even a maze. One of the nice features are all the seats dotted around so you can sit and relax and from some places even enjoy a view of the Cathedral.
The house itself is also nice to explore, as it has a small medieval hall, as well as Jacobean and Georgian wings. There’s a separate cafe in the Hall too. Definitely worth a visit while you’re in Durham!
5. Oriental Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 271 reviews
From Ancient Egypt to modern China, we are the only museum in the North of England devoted entirely to the art and archaeology of the great cultures of Northern Africa and Asia. The Oriental Museum is normally open Monday - Friday, 10am - 5pm and Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays, 12pm - 5pm.
Reviewed By farwriter - London, United Kingdom
Wow, what an incredible collection. I graduated from Durham University 20 years ago, used to live down the road from this museum and have visited the city every year since I left, but I am ashamed to say this was my first visit to the Oriental Museum. I hope it won't be the last! This is a wonderful museum, filled with a staggering number of items and many fascinating details of different cultures, customs and religions. I can't believe it only costs £1.50 to get in! This has to be one of the best-value museums I have ever visited. Superb.
6. Durham Riverside Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 426 reviews
Reviewed By jetsaver - Southport, United Kingdom
A great city to walk around and to walk along side the river. There are lots of cafes and eating places around to partake of. There is also a lot of building work being done around the city so it is nice to just stroll along and enjoy the gently flowing river.
7. East Durham Coast
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 175 reviews
Reviewed By Jen_Andy_Lawson - Leeds
We wanted to do an 8 mile walk along the coast but unfortunately no buses run in the area on a Sunday. Instead we parked at Hartlepool station and got the train to Seaham. From there it's a 16 mile walk with plenty of ups and downs so not to be taken on lightly!
Seaham seems a quiet but nice seaside village with the 'World War 1' soldier statue being a nice surprise at the start. From here it is a very picturesque and interesting 8 miles or so to blackhall rocks including cliff top views and also wooded inlets which add interest - I believe on other days you can catch the bus back from blackhall to Hartlepool but we continued on and next you pass a holiday park where we were able to buy more drinks thankfully as it was a very warm day.
Sadly, once you get past the golf club at Hartlepool the route deteriorates somewhat, there is an incredible amount of dog fouling which doesn't seem to be a social taboo round these parts and unfortunately a local house builder has diverted the right of way in Hartlepool well away from the coast (it's meant to be England's coastal path!) and the last mile or so to the town centre is through some quite deprived estates. Hartlepool now has the royal naval museum at the marina which looks worth a visit on a future trip and the area does seem to be slowly improving at least.
8. Durham Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 984 reviews
Uncover 1000 years of history in this undefeated castle built in the Norman period as an imposing fortress, Durham Castle’s story is entwined with that of the Prince-Bishops of Durham, whose semi-regal status made them some of the most powerful and wealthy men in the country. Discover a castle that gradually turned into a lavish palace, which was affected by major historical events from the Reformation to the English Civil War. It was transformed in the Victorian period into a place of learning, as the home of University College, the founding college of Durham University. Today Durham Castle is a Grade I Listed Building, a Museum and remains a living building, evolving to modern day life while retaining its power to impress as part of the iconic Durham skyline. The unique nature of the building means that, entrance to the public is by guided tours only. However, this allows a personal experience that brings history to life. The following tour times are a general guide as it is sometimes necessary to cancel tours at short notice due to University or commercial activities. During term-time: every afternoon at 1.15pm, 2.15pm, 3.15pm and 4.15pm.During university vacations: daily 10.15Am, 11.15Am, 12.15am, 1.15pm, 2.15pm, 3.15pm and 4pm. Please check the tour times with Palace Green Library or the World Heritage Site Visitor Centre to avoid disappointment.
Reviewed By Brandymate
Worth booking a tour as the guide was very helpful and knowledgeable about the castle. It’s a shame that some of the student living there need to learn a few manners as on our tour they were particularly loud and irritating, I suppose it is were they live but they should have a little more respect while tours are being conducted. Definitely worth a visit and for £6 per person bargain x
9. Palace Green
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
10. Finchale Priory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 191 reviews
Remains of 13th century priory set in a bend of the river Wear and managed by English Heritage. The fee is actually a car park EXIT fee.
Reviewed By EssexGirllala - Harlow, United Kingdom
This English Heritage ruin is set in private grounds. It costs £3 (pay on exit) and there is a small cafe. We went there for a quiet walk, and it was fairly quiet, and we saw several species of birds. I imagine it's a lot busier in the holiday seasons, because of the caravan park.
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