Durham area ideas

susieb

We are coming to Durham over the school holiday and would welcome tips of places to go.
We are staying in travelodges, in sedgefield, durham, washington and scotch corner.

Family of 4, with kids aged 9 and 13.
Have penciled in a visit to high force, angel of the north, Brimham rocks (probably drive here on the way home) and diggerland.

Any other ideas, or any of these I should give a miss to?

gingerdad

Diggerland is great -we did it via 2 for 1 and tesco vouchers.

you've also got Beamish near by - expensive but a great day out and you can go back for free for a whole year or Darlington Railway Museum

Killhope Lead Mine is also a good day out and final suggestion for now is the National Railway Museum at Shildon

Becles

Definitely Beamish - it's a brilliant museum and an excellent day out.

Beamish Wild - birds of prey, high ropes assault course, other outdoor activities.

Various farms - Hall Hill Farm, Down at the Farm, Mini Moo's.

Adventure Valley - mix of rides, attractions, farm animals, and a really good day out.

Durham Cathedral - fabulous and words can't describe it's elegant beauty. Harry Potter was filmed in the Cloisters and I think some was filmed in the Durham Castle which is next door.

Lovely walks along the riverbanks in Durham.

Washington Wetland Centre - various different types of wild birds.

Penshaw Monument and Herrington Country Park. Nice views from the monument and lots to do in the park.

What type of things are the interested in? I'll try and think of some more if you tell me what they like doing best.

p00hsticks

If they're into trains and/or Harry Potter, then there is an offshoot of the National Railway Museum callec 'Locomotion' at Shildon, currently featuring the Hogwarts express alongside a number of other locomotives such as Mallard, and some other exhibits. Good value (free!)

http://nrm.org.uk/PlanaVisit/VisitShildon.aspx

I'd also second Beamish - it sounds expensive but it's a really good full day out.

And you can't visit the area without stopping for a close up look at the Angel - you don't really realise the scale of it until you're stood by the feet looking straight up at it!

susieb

Thanks for all the ideas so far, they are in to everything really, with the exception of stately homes. But mostly if the weather is good they like to be out, fave place ever was a little stream they found in wiltshire where they could swim, it was just so spontaneous they loved it.

geordieracer

Beamish is ace!!

also these will have steam locos runnign throughout the summer http://www.wensleydalerailway.com/

Becles

Have a look on the Tyne and Wear Museums website. Most of them are free. Newcastle has the Discovery Museum (mainly science and heavy industry) and the Great North Museum (mainly natural history).

Sunderland has the Museum and winter gardens which is a bit of everything. It over looks Mowbray Park where you can feed the ducks and there's a play park and general park stuff.

There are Roman forts at South Shields and Wallsend that are good and one at Binchester but we've never been to that one.

Trip to the coast - there are some lovely beaches at Seaburn, South Shields and Tynemouth. There's the castle and priory at Tynemouth and the lighthouse just north of Seaburn which mine enjoyed last year.

You can get a ferry across the river mouth between South Shields and North Shields which the bairns think is a novelty. They also do river cruises over the summer.

Chester le Street park has a play area, walks and you can feed the ducks, but don't go in the river as it's very dangerous. It's next to Durham County cricket ground so check the fixtures before you go as you can never get parked when the cricket is on. Unless you like cricket, then you could go there

Causey Arch has nice walks and a picnic area, and Tanfield Railway is close by.

Gibside has really nice walks. There is a small church which is nice and it was a stately home but it's all in ruins now. They've built the stables up with interactive stuff about all the wildlife in the area and mine enjoyed it.

Arefredralo

For anyone who cant get this afternoon - like us,
Durham 1 Tomo scored a penalty

NeverAgain_2

Worth swinging by the Darlington Brick Train, which is free, but also near Morrison's, McDonald's and a steak house if you're hungry.

http://www.thisisdarlington.com/attractions/Darlingtons_Brick_Train.asp

It's signposted off the A66, but the best parking is in the industrial esatate, reached by going past Morrison's/MacDonald's

susieb

great ideas thanks, now to find some discounts for beamish

LindseyandMatthew

have a look at hardwick hall country park, its just down the road from the sedgefield travelodge. It has a cafe, play area, lovely country walk with lakes, monuments, a nature trail and loads to look at. its one of our favourite parks and its free entry and parking.