Wrens Nest’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Easiest to use the Howlands park and ride bus stop which is virtually next door to the Gardens. Lovely cafe and a good half a days worth ambling through interesting gardens and hot houses.
23 locals recommend
Botanic Garden
South RoadEasiest to use the Howlands park and ride bus stop which is virtually next door to the Gardens. Lovely cafe and a good half a days worth ambling through interesting gardens and hot houses.
A whole days worth of entertainment, history, food and scenery.
194 locals recommend
Beamish, the Living Museum of the North
A whole days worth of entertainment, history, food and scenery.
If you like a bit of culture and history this must be top of your list whilst in Durham City. The Cathedral itself is great, but the whole atmosphere of the palace green and the castle is just amazing. If you can get a tour of the castle its well worth it, and the museum up there often has interesting displays (and a useful cafe). From the palace green you can dip down to the riverside and do a circular walk taking in the beautiful scenery.
116 locals recommend
Durham Cathedral
If you like a bit of culture and history this must be top of your list whilst in Durham City. The Cathedral itself is great, but the whole atmosphere of the palace green and the castle is just amazing. If you can get a tour of the castle its well worth it, and the museum up there often has interesting displays (and a useful cafe). From the palace green you can dip down to the riverside and do a circular walk taking in the beautiful scenery.
Best way to approach it is to park at low force's Bowlees Visitor Centre and walk from Low to High Force. If you dont have time for the ramble then try the High Force Hotel car park. Both have refreshment facilities nearby.
116 locals recommend
High Force Waterfalls
Alston RoadBest way to approach it is to park at low force's Bowlees Visitor Centre and walk from Low to High Force. If you dont have time for the ramble then try the High Force Hotel car park. Both have refreshment facilities nearby.
More facinating history, but on a grand scale at Raby. Set in a vast Deer Park (with rare white deer) and now with the added attraction of a huge play area themed around magic and mischief. The gardens and cafe are well worth a visit too.
79 locals recommend
Raby Castle
More facinating history, but on a grand scale at Raby. Set in a vast Deer Park (with rare white deer) and now with the added attraction of a huge play area themed around magic and mischief. The gardens and cafe are well worth a visit too.
If youlike your plants then Egglestone Hall garden centre is the place to go for something a little bit unusual. The plants are set out inside a large walled garden, with demonstration gardens including and old churchyard (and abandonned church). Dogs are welcome to help you shop for plants. There is a superb cafeteria on site too.
20 locals recommend
Eggleston Hall Gardens
Eggleston LaneIf youlike your plants then Egglestone Hall garden centre is the place to go for something a little bit unusual. The plants are set out inside a large walled garden, with demonstration gardens including and old churchyard (and abandonned church). Dogs are welcome to help you shop for plants. There is a superb cafeteria on site too.
Until the 1920s Seaham had one of the country’s largest glass factories. Today, almost 100 years after the plant closed, Seaham Beach is possibly the best place to go for smooth, multi-coloured sea glass. Beachcombers might find the smooth glass stones on the shore line, as well as fossils and shells. Seaham Beach is a pleasant sandy beach, with some areas of rock, which stretches on for around half a mile beyond the north of the town and harbour
16 locals recommend
Seaham Beach
22 North RdUntil the 1920s Seaham had one of the country’s largest glass factories. Today, almost 100 years after the plant closed, Seaham Beach is possibly the best place to go for smooth, multi-coloured sea glass. Beachcombers might find the smooth glass stones on the shore line, as well as fossils and shells. Seaham Beach is a pleasant sandy beach, with some areas of rock, which stretches on for around half a mile beyond the north of the town and harbour
What really makes Bamburgh beach stand out though is the breathtaking castle dominating the skyline behind the beach. A castle is known to have stood here since the 6th century; the oldest part of the present structure was built in the 12th century. Bamburgh castle is well worth a visit and children will enjoy the extensive collection of arms and armour.
Opposite the beach are the Inner Farne Islands, home of hermits and monks from the 7th century right up until the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century.
Behind the beach the dunes of Sandy Hills are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including some quite rare insects. This area has been declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest
32 locals recommend
Bamburgh Beach
What really makes Bamburgh beach stand out though is the breathtaking castle dominating the skyline behind the beach. A castle is known to have stood here since the 6th century; the oldest part of the present structure was built in the 12th century. Bamburgh castle is well worth a visit and children will enjoy the extensive collection of arms and armour.
Opposite the beach are the Inner Farne Islands, home of hermits and monks from the 7th century right up until the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century.
Behind the beach the dunes of Sandy Hills are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including some quite rare insects. This area has been declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest
City/town information
Everyone needs to test their eyesight at least once whilst they are in Durham. Lovely historic town, loads of quirky independant shops, plenty of eating places and a historc castle to boot. If you cant get parked in the street then head for Morrissons car park.
96 locals recommend
Barnard Castle
Flatts RoadEveryone needs to test their eyesight at least once whilst they are in Durham. Lovely historic town, loads of quirky independant shops, plenty of eating places and a historc castle to boot. If you cant get parked in the street then head for Morrissons car park.
Durham has a large student population so the tourist is well catered for in the food, drink and entertainment departments. There are just so many restaurants, cafes and eateries that you simply have to stroll through the City to find the right one for you. You will be guided by a tempting mix of gorgeous smells from grilling steaks, to Italian pizzas, to garlicky chinese and spicey indians. There are loads of pubs, cocktail bars and cafes. There is an outdoor market every Saturday and a permanent indoor market under the town hall everyday. There isnt really a big selection of retail shops (there are various retail parks on the outskirts of the city) but enough to keep you interested. Durham City does have a good Cinema and the Gala Theatre.
117 locals recommend
Durham
Durham has a large student population so the tourist is well catered for in the food, drink and entertainment departments. There are just so many restaurants, cafes and eateries that you simply have to stroll through the City to find the right one for you. You will be guided by a tempting mix of gorgeous smells from grilling steaks, to Italian pizzas, to garlicky chinese and spicey indians. There are loads of pubs, cocktail bars and cafes. There is an outdoor market every Saturday and a permanent indoor market under the town hall everyday. There isnt really a big selection of retail shops (there are various retail parks on the outskirts of the city) but enough to keep you interested. Durham City does have a good Cinema and the Gala Theatre.