Places to Visit, County Durham

Hamsterley Forest
www.forestry.gov.uk/hamsterleyforest

2000 hectares of mixed woodland lying between the Wear and Tees valleys on the edge of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Hamsterley is a delightful oasis of broadleaved and coniferous woodland, sprawling along the sides of a sheltered valley.

Auckland Castle
www.auckland-castle.co.uk

Auckland Castle has been the home of the Bishops of Durham for over 800 years, and is still the Bishop's official residence today. This historic building is the administrative centre for the Diocese, as well as a notable tourist attraction.

The Weardale Museum
www.weardalemuseum.co.uk

The Weardale Museum is a small independent folk museum which was established by volunteers in 1985.

Killhope Lead-Mining Museum
www.killhope.org.uk

Killhope - set in the centre of the North Pennines in the Durham Dales - is a real adventure. Tour the mine, walk in the woodland, visit the exhibitions, see the wildlife.

Low Barns Nature Reserve
www.durhamwt.co.uk

Regarded as one of Durham Wildlife Trust's premier reserves, this 50 hectare wetland site also contains mixed woodlands and grasslands. A recently refurbished visitor centre is open to the public at weekends and something of interest can be seen throughout the year.

Raby Castle
www.rabycastle.com

One of the largest and most impressive of English medieval castles, Raby Castle, in County Durham, Northumbria, provides a wonderful day out for all the family. Wonder at its towers, turrets, embattled walls, interiors and artworks from the Medieval, Regency and Victorian periods.

Diggerland
www.diggerland.com

Diggerland guarantees a fun filled, exciting, action packed day out for kids and adults of all ages. Children (and adults if they wish) have the opportunity to ride in, and drive, different types of construction machinery including Dumper Trucks, Mini Diggers and Giant Diggers (all under strict supervision).