County Durham Events
St Cuthbert's Church, Billingham, Church History Tour
Today to Thu 17 Sep, Sat 19 Sep
St Cuthbert's Church, Billingham Green, Billingham, Teesside TS23 1BW
Heritage Open Day: Come and explore this historic church and hear some fascinating facts in an iconic setting led by a knowledgeable members of the...
The Fitzhugh Library
Today and Tue 15 Sep
The Fitzhugh Library, 1st floor 51 Market Place, Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle DL12 0QH
Heritage Open Day: Visit the hidden gem of the Fitzhugh Library and its collection of photographs, books and documents re the County Palatine of...
Your Families and How They Came to Billingham
Today to Wed 16 Sep, Fri 18 Sep, Sat 19 Sep
St Cuthbert's Church, Billingham TS23 1BW
Heritage Open Day: Photos and stories of the first generations to come to Billingham – as a tribute to the Town’s pioneers...
Stanhope and Tyne Railway Walk
Wed 16 Sep
Waskerley station picnic area, Waskerley Village, off Castleside to Stanhope road, Consett DH8 9DZ
Heritage Open Day: A walk in the countryside along former railway lines. Let our guides take you on a walk through history using the former railway...
Crook Hall Gardens - National Trust
Wed 16 Sep, Sat 19 Sep
Crook Hall Gardens, Frankland Lane, Durham DH1 5SZ
Heritage Open Day: Free entry to enjoy the beautiful gardens and Medieval Hall Wander through the series of interlinking gardens, each with its own...
Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre
Thu 17 Sep to Sat 19 Sep
Cemetery Lodge, 25 Woodlands Avenue, Wheatley Hill DH6 3JY
Heritage Open Day: Wheatley Hill Heritage Centre will be open for the last weekend of Heritage Open Days - Thursday 17 - Saturday 19 September 2026...
St. John the Baptist Church Greatham
Fri 18 Sep
St. John the Baptist Church, Greatham, Hartlepool TS25 2QT
Heritage Open Day: Discover St. John the Baptist Church, Greatham and discover the history of the church through a display as well as Wedding...
Washington Old Hall - National Trust
Fri 18 Sep, Sun 20 Sep
Washington Old Hall, The Avenue, Washington Village, Sunderland NE38 7LE
Heritage Open Day: Enjoy free entry to the manor house, gardens and nuttery. At the heart of historic Washington village this picturesque stone manor...
Church of Our Lady of Mercy and St. Godric
Fri 18 Sep, Sat 19 Sep
Church of Our Lady of Mercy and St. Godric, 2, Castle Chare, Durham DH1 4RD
Heritage Open Day: Between the train and the bus stations, a landmark in the Durham City Conservation Area, St...
St Cuthbert's Catholic Church, Durham
Fri 18 Sep to Sun 20 Sep
St. Cuthberts Catholic Church, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HL
Heritage Open Day: Visit this simple, peaceful church to rest a while or to see the stunning window by the world-famous Irish stained glass artist...
Two Railways and Two Denes
Fri 18 Sep
Castle Eden Dene Local Nature Reserve, Oakerside Dene Lodge, Stanhope Drive, Castle Eden Dene SR8 1NJ
Heritage Open Day: A walk in the countryside along former railway lines. Two Railways and Two Denes
10:00am (4.5 hours) 8 miles, level 2...
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Josh Jones & Jenny Hart
Fri 18 Sep
Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Market Place, Bishop Auckland DL14 7NP
Coming to Hilarity Bites at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on September 18th 2026:
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat...
An invitation to visit the ancient church of All Saints, Stranton. Guided tours throughout the day.
Sat 19 Sep, Sun 20 Sep
Church Row, Hartlepool TS247QT
Heritage Open Day: This year we are celebrating our 900 year anniversary. We will have a Memories of Stranton display in church...
St Margaret of Antioch Church
Sat 19 Sep
Crossgate, Durham DH1 4PR
Heritage Open Day: St Margaret of Antioch church building dates from the mid-twelfth century, and much of the stonework (as well as the font) is...
Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ Visits
Sat 19 Sep
New Victoria Centre, High Street, Howden Le Wear, Crook DL15 8EZ
Heritage Open Day: See & hear the North East's only 'Mighty Wurlitzer' theatre pipe organ (one of UK's largest)...
Thorpe Light Railway - behind the scenes
Sat 19 Sep
Thorpe Light Railway, Barnard Castle DL12 9TW
Heritage Open Day: An opportunity for visitors to learn about the history of Thorpe Light Railway, and hear about ongoing projects and future plans...
St Laurence's Church, Pittington
Sat 19 Sep
Hallgarth Lane, High Pittington DH6 1AB
Heritage Open Day: Visit St Laurence Church. Refreshments available. Discover a Grade I listed, 12th & 13th century church...
St Cuthbert's Church, Darlington
Sat 19 Sep
St. Cuthberts Church, Market Place, Darlington DL1 5QG
Heritage Open Day: St. Cuthbert's Darlington, the Church in the Market Place is undergoing a transformation, but we're opening our church...
Holy Trinity Darlington
Sat 19 Sep
Holy Trinity Church, Woodland Road, Darlington DL3 7BQ
Heritage Open Day: Visitors of all ages are invited to Holy Trinity Church on Saturday 19th September between 10 am and 4pm...
St. Cuthbert’s Church, Etherley (DL14 0HT)
Sat 19 Sep
St. Cuthbert’s Church, Church Street, High Etherley, Bishop Auckland DL14 0HT
Heritage Open Day: Church is open from 9.30 - 15.30 on Saturday, September 19th.
Church guide.
Christian artwork on display...
St Mary the Virgin, Easington
Sat 19 Sep
St Mary the Virgin, Hall Walks, Easington Village SR8 3BP
Heritage Open Day: A 12th century Parish Church, with evidence of Saxon origins. The building contains Medieval pieces including a beautiful example...
Banners, Art and Local History
Sat 19 Sep
Bowburn Community Centre, Durham Road, Bowburn, Durham DH6 5AT
Heritage Open Day: Display of miners’ lodge & community banners + Collection of mining & other local history records + Gallery of work by local...
Everyday Histories - Two Mining Families - One Village History- a lasting legacy.
Sat 19 Sep
St Mary's Church, South Street, West Rainton DH4 6NR
Heritage Open Day: The growth of mining in West Rainton brought an influx of workers from different parts of the country...
All Saints Church and Churchyard open day - Langley Park
Sat 19 Sep
All Saints Church, Quebec Street, Langley Park DH7 9UU
Heritage Open Day: A chance to explore the church, find out what's happening in the churchyard, and discover the history of the village...
Cotherstone Old Chapel Project
Sat 19 Sep
The Old Wesleyan Chapel, Cotherstone, Barnard Castle DL12 9NL
Heritage Open Day: Former Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, also village school until 1965. Now community owned/run shop, café and heritage centre...
County Durham Dollhouse and Miniature Fair
Sun 20 Sep
Blackhill Club, Ridley Street, Consett, County Durham DH8 8TT
Our fairs specialise in traders selling a variety of 1/12th and some 1/24th miniatures for all dollhouse, room boxes and project needs...
Premium
Mickleton Village Hall and the Community over the years
Sun 20 Sep
Mickleton Village Hall, Mickleton, Mickleton, Barnard Castle DL12 0JR
Heritage Open Day: Come and see on the cinema screen how the village hall was built and see what actually goes on in the hall...
Hilarity Bitesize New Act & New Material Night, with Alex Mitchell
Mon 21 Sep
The Vault, East Row, Darlington DL1 5PN
Coming to Hilarity Bites at The Vault in Darlington on September 21st 2026:
Hilarity Bitesize New Act & New Material Night, with Alex Mitchell,...
Hilarity Bitesize New Act & New Material Night, with El Purnell
Thu 24 Sep
Oakleaf Sports Complex, School Aycliffe Lane
Newton Aycliffe DL5 6QZ
Coming to Hilarity Bites at the OakLeaf Sports Complex in Newton Aycliffe on September 24th 2026:
Hilarity Bitesize New Act & New Material Night,...
FREE taster session with the Chester le Street Rock Choir
Tue 29 Sep, Tue 20 Oct
Cornerstones Centre for the Community, North Burns, Chester le Street, Durham DH3 3TF
If you have ever wondered 'are there any community choirs near me?' then the answer is firmly yes!...
Hopetown Comic Con
Sat 3 Oct
Hopetown Darlington, McNay St, Darlington DL3 6SW
Prepare for a time-twisting adventure as Hopetown Comic Con returns with a full Doctor Who theme on Saturday 3rd October 2026...
Tits Up UK Tour
Sat 3 Oct
Queensway, Billingham Town Centre, Stockton-on-Tees TS23 2LJ
Tits Up is a powerful, funny and deeply moving stage play that follows the lives of four women brought together by breast cancer...
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Rob Deering & Roger Monkhouse
Sat 3 Oct
The Forum Music Centre, Borough Road, Darlington DL1 1SG
Coming to Hilarity Bites at The Forum in Darlington on October 3rd 2026:
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat...
Join our choir in Durham for a FREE taster session
Mon 5 Oct, Mon 19 Oct, Mon 2 Nov, Mon 16 Nov
Elvet Methodist Church, 8 Old Elvet, Durham, Co. Durham DH1 3HL
Do you want to find a choir near you?
The Durham Rock Choir is led by local vocal tutor Rob Slater...
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Tony Law & Peter Brush
Fri 16 Oct
Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Market Place, Bishop Auckland DL14 7NP
Coming to Hilarity Bites at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on October 16th 2026:
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat...
Not Now, Bernard
Thu 29 Oct and Fri 30 Oct
The Hullabaloo, Borough Rd, Darlington DL1 1SG
This October Half Term at The Hullabaloo, we’re delighted to be hosting Roustabout Theatre with Not Now Bernard – a theatre adaptation of the beloved...
Cliffecon Halloween Edition 2026
Sat 31 Oct
OakLeaf Sports Complex, School Aycliffe Ln, Newton Aycliffe DL5 6QZ
Step into the shadows this October as Cliffecon returns with a spooky seasonal twist. On Saturday 31st October, the Oakleaf Sports Complex transforms...
FREE taster session with the Darlington Rock Choir
Tue 3 Nov, Tue 17 Nov, Tue 12 Jan 27
Northgate United Reformed Church, Northgate, Darlington DL1 1QU
If you have ever wondered 'are there any community choirs near me?' then the answer is firmly yes!...
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Mick Ferry & Steve Day
Sat 7 Nov
The Forum Music Centre, Borough Road, Darlington DL1 1SG
Coming to Hilarity Bites at The Forum in Darlington on November 7th 2026:
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat...
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Eddy Brimson & Faizan Shah
Fri 20 Nov
Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Market Place, Bishop Auckland DL14 7NP
Coming to Hilarity Bites at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on November 20th 2026:
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat...
Hilarity Bites presents Chris Ramsey: Here, Man
Sat 21 Nov
Darlington Hippodrome, Parkgate, Darlington DL1 1RR
Coming to Hilarity Bites at Darlington Hippodrome on November 21st 2026:
Hilarity Bites presents Chris Ramsey: Here, Man
Show details:
Brand...
Hilarity Bites presents Chris Ramsey: Here, Man
Sun 22 Nov
Darlington Hippodrome, Parkgate, Darlington DL1 1RR
Coming to Hilarity Bites at Darlington Hippodrome on November 21st 2026:
Hilarity Bites presents Chris Ramsey: Here, Man
Show details:
Brand...
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat. Alex Boardman & Aaron Wood
Sat 5 Dec
The Forum Music Centre, Borough Road, Darlington DL1 1SG
Coming to Hilarity Bites at The Forum in Darlington on December 5th 2026:
Hilarity Bites Comedy Club feat...
Hilarity Bites presents Rob Rouse: Funny Bones
Thu 10 Dec
The Forum Music Centre, Borough Road, Darlington DL1 1SG
Coming to Hilarity Bites at the Forum in Darlington on December 10th 2026:
Hilarity Bites presents Rob Rouse: Funny Bones
Show details:
Star...
Plant Power Events UK Christmas Market - Eaglescliffe
Sat 12 Dec
Egglescliffe Community Centre
Durham Lane
Eaglescliffe
Stockton-on-Tees TS16 0EH
Join us for a festive and feel-good day at the Plant Power Events UK Christmas Ethical Market
Taking place at Egglescliffe Community Centre,...
Consett Dollhouse and Miniature Fair
Sun 4 Apr 27
Blackhill Club, Ridley Street, Blackhill, Consett, County Durham DH8 8TT
Our fairs specialise in traders selling a variety of 1/12th and some 1/24th miniatures for all dollhouse, room boxes and project needs...
Things to do around County Durham
If you're planning a day out in County Durham, this northernmost county in England offers a rich blend of history, natural beauty, and cultural attractions. Here are some delightful activities to consider:
1. Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle:
- Durham Cathedral, dating back to the 12th century, is a masterpiece of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Marvel at its stunning design and explore the tombs of St. Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede. Don't miss the Chapel of the Nine Altars. While in Durham, visit Durham Castle, occupied by University College since 1840. Take a guided tour to explore its medieval great hall, Norman Chapel, and Tunstall Chapel with intricate carvings.
2. Barnard Castle:
- Despite its recent notoriety, Barnard Castle remains a top attraction in County Durham. Visit the Bowes Museum, home to the largest art collection in northern England. Explore the 12th-century Norman castle perched high on a rock overlooking the River Tees. Look for King Richard III's boar emblem carved into the castle wall.
3. North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and High Force Waterfall:
- Discover the rugged beauty of the North Pennines AONB. Enjoy scenic walks, rolling hills, and breathtaking landscapes. Don't miss the High Force Waterfall, one of England's most impressive waterfalls.
4. Beamish Museum:
- Step back in time at the Beamish Museum, an open-air living museum near Stanley. Explore historic buildings, ride vintage trams, and immerse yourself in the past. It's a fascinating glimpse into the region's industrial heritage.
5. Raby Castle:
- Visit Raby Castle, a medieval fortress surrounded by beautiful gardens and deer parks. Explore its grand rooms, learn about its history, and enjoy the picturesque setting. Don't miss the views from the castle's towers.
Remember, County Durham offers a mix of cultural landmarks, natural wonders, and historic sites – perfect for an enriching and memorable day out!
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