Things to do in County Durham, England: The Best Nature & Parks

The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a stunning landscape of open heather moors, dramatic dales, tumbling upland rivers, wonderful woods, close-knit communities, glorious waterfalls, fantastic birds, colourful hay meadows, stone-built villages, intriguing imprints of a mining and industrial past, distinctive plants and much, much more. As well as being an AONB the North Pennines is also a European and Global Geopark - a status endorsed by UNESCO. The AONB is a distinctive landscape of high moorland and broad upland dales in the North of England. It shares a boundary with the Yorkshire Dales National Park in the south and extends as far as the Tyne Valley, just south of Hadrain's Wall, in the north. Parts of the North Pennines AONB are in the three counties of Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is exactly what it says it is: an outstanding landscape whose distinctive character and natural beauty are so precious that it is in the nation's interest to safeguard them.There are 46 AONBs in Britain (33 wholly in England, four wholly in Wales, one which straddles the English/Welsh border and eight in Northern Ireland) and they cover 18% of our countryside. AONBs are designated in recognition of their national importance and to ensure that their character and qualities are protected for all to enjoy.

Please note we are open until the 27th October as a visitor attarcetion, we will be open as usual during weekends in december for Santas Grotto and will move in the new year. Owned by David & Tori, formerly Walworth Castle Birds of Prey based at Walworth Castle, Darlington. We are relocating in the new year to Bishop Auckland, Co Durham. We now offer private offsite falconry experiences, hunting experience days, educational school visits, offsite displays, wedding ring deliveries and entertainment, a falconry display team for country shows, game fairs etc. and pest control services across the North East of England. Please note once we relocate we will no longer open as a visitor centre, all experiences must be booked in advance.

Temporarily Closed now until may 2021

Advance Booking Required : We are a working Alpaca Farm and run Alpaca Treks and Farm Visits throughout the year (subject to the Great British Weather!) We can tailor a trek or visit to suit most requirements and can arrange special Treks and Visits - Just ask and we'll see what we can do! Book as far in advance as you can as we do get very busy at weekends and during holiday periods and are often booked several months in advance! Try to have some alternate dates in mind. Please remember that both weather and animals can be unpredictable and as such we may need to cancel and rearrange at short notice. Alpaca Walks are currently £20 per person (supplement for extra people and children) and we require a minimum of two people as the alpacas prefer to go in a group. We cannot allow waiting on farm for insurance reasons but Cross Lanes Organics Farm Shop is 2 min away. Farm visits are also available at a cost of £10 per person (min 2 people) : Check out our website for more information.

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

Located on West Lane (near Croft Race Circuit), Paddock Farm Nursery & Water Gardens is a wonderful day out for all the family. We have nine unique Water Gardens for you to browse around at your leisure, a delicious Tea Room serving home made treats from sandwiches to full dinners and our amazing Koi & Pond are considered to be one of the best in the country! The Tropical Fish centre recently claimed customer recognition as the biggest and best supplier in the region! Open 7 days a week, you are always welcome to visit us. Our Water Gardens are completely free and we have something for all members of your family. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Hardwick Park is a country park with a difference. Now a Visit England accredited attraction, it has survived since the 1750s when its then owner, John Burdon, created a sprawling ornamental park. Today, the remains of some of the original buildings he created can be seen throughout the park, which suggest the area has a richer story to tell. Hardwick Park is a great place to spend the day. Stroll through the park and admire the natural beauty of the lake, woodland and wildlife. The visitor centre also has excellent facilities including an interactive display, education room, cafe and toilets.Throughout the year there are a variety of events, activities, walks and workshops for all to enjoy.

High Force is one of the most impressive waterfalls in England. The River Tees has been plunging into this gorge for thousands of years but the rocks it reveals are far more ancient – with origins dating back over 300 million years! THE EXPERIENCE From its rise as a trickle, high on the heather covered fells at the top of the North Pennines, to the top of the whin sill rock at Forest-in-Teesdale, the River Tees steadily grows and gathers pace, then it suddenly and spectacularly drops 21 metres into the plunge pool below. A gentle and pretty woodland walk leads you to view this spectacular sight at the base of the falls. OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY High Force is surrounded by the stunning countryside of Upper Teesdale and is situated in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A variety of animal and plant life can be seen at High Force throughout the seasons, from a vast array of wildflowers, ferns and towering trees, to roe deer and rabbits.