County Durham might not be the first place people think to visit on a tour of England or the United Kingdom, but there are plenty of reasons why it should be on everyone’s itinerary!

Durham City

Surrounded by some of the most popular and breathtaking parts of England – the Lake District, Northumberland, Yorkshire – and on one of the main routes to Scotland, too often Durham has been overlooked on the way to somewhere else - or missed out completely. However, there are plenty of gems to make it a destination worth visiting in its own right, from the majestic city of Durham to The Bowes Museum, and from Raby Castle to the Auckland Project. The recent opening of spectacular Kynren – the Storied Lands, the UK’s first live action show park, is yet another reason to pay a visit.

High Force Waterfall in County Durham

County Durham’s visitor economy has continued to grow in recent years, with the latest figures showing visitor expenditure rising to £1.48 billion during 2025, an increase of 8% compared to the previous year, marking three consecutive years of record-breaking results for the county. The results also show that 21.98 million people visited the county in 2025, up 2% on 2024.

The historic city of Durham really should be on everyone’s list of the best places to visit in England. The city surrounds Durham Castle and Cathedral UNESCO World Heritage Site, a magnificent complex of medieval buildings set on a rocky outcrop embraced by the River Wear.

Durham Castle and Cathedral

Durham Cathedral is one of the greatest in England and is home to the shrines of two of early Christianity’s most revered figures – St Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede. Today, visitors are equally likely to recognise the incised columns in the nave and the cloisters from the Harry Potter films. Durham Castle was built over 900 years ago to protect the English borders and today is home to the students of the city’s ancient university, which also forms part of the World Heritage Site. Enjoy a tour of castle and university hosted by a student from Durham University.

Historic Palace Green

Soak up the historic atmosphere on Palace Green, which links the cathedral and the castle, and then enjoy a relaxing riverside walk or river cruise to experience some of the best views of the cathedral, made famous in many paintings and photos.

A walk by the river in Durham City

The Bowes Museum is an incredible museum set in a purpose-built French style chateau, with 22 acres of landscaped parkland overlooking the wonderful Teesdale countryside. Founded by visionaries Joséphine and John Bowes, the museum reflects the couple’s passion for art and it houses a world-class collection of over 58,000 objects, with highlights including masterpieces by Goya, Canaletto and Van Dyck. Among its treasures, the Silver Swan, an 18th-century automaton, remains a firm favourite, captivating visitors daily with its life-like movements.

The fabulous Bowes Museum

One of the most impressive intact castles in the north of England, Raby Castle was built in the fourteenth century by the powerful Neville family. Home to Cecily Neville, mother of two kings of England, it was also the scene of the plotting of the Rising of the North and a Parliamentary stronghold during the Civil War. This incredible medieval fortress, set within picturesque parklands where both red and fallow deer roam, has recently undergone an incredible restoration project, opening up the 18th century Walled Garden which has been remodelled by renowned garden designer Luciano Giubbilei.

Raby Castle

The Auckland Project is a unique collection of heritage attractions, galleries, gardens and parkland in Bishop Auckland, at the heart of County Durham. Attractions include Auckland Palace, the Mining Art Gallery and the Faith Museum.

Entrance to Auckland Castle

Auckland Palace is one of the best-preserved Bishop’s palaces in the whole of Europe. It sits at the heart of 150 acres of historic parkland, created over 800 years ago by the Prince Bishops of Durham as their own private hunting ground. The intimate and awe-inspiring art collection in The Mining Art Gallery gives a unique insight into the lives of coal miners and their communities, and sitting in the historic Grade 1 listed Scotland Wing of Auckland Palace, The Faith Museum explores the myriad ways in which faith has shaped lives and communities across Britain.

Kynren is set against the backdrop of Auckland Palace (photo courtesy of Kynren)

Discover an unforgettable day of live shows, immersive experiences and epic storytelling at Kynren – The Storied Lands. This spectacular new attraction invites visitors to journey through history, myth and legend across a series of large-scale live shows and immersive environments set against the backdrop of Auckland Palace and the surrounding County Durham countryside.

The Lost Feather at Kynren (photo courtesy of Kynren)

At the heart of the attraction is The Lost Feather, a visually stunning bird spectacle staged within a dramatic nest-inspired arena. More than 250 birds soar freely above audiences in a powerful celebration of flight, storytelling and conservation. Visitors can also step into Land of the Vikings, a detailed Viking settlement alive with activity. North East folklore comes to life in Legend of the Wear, inspired by the legendary Lambton Worm tale and medieval adventure takes centre stage in The Trusty Steed, where audiences can experience world-class horsemanship, daring horseback stunts, sword fighting and knights charging into combat.

Beamish Museum

Beamish Museum is a living, working museum, set in 350 acres of beautiful Durham countryside. Costumed folk bring to life 1820s Pockerley Old Hall and Landscape, a 1900s town, a 1900s pit village, a 1940s farm and a 1950s town. Visitors to the multi-award-winning museum are immersed in the sights and sounds of the past as they hop aboard a tram, try delicious, freshly-made bread in the Edwardian Bakery, have their hair done in a 1950s style and discover what life was like on the Home Front during the Second World War.

Locomotion in Shildon

Some of the other must-see attractions in County Durham include Locomotion in Shildon, where you can see highlights from the UK’s national collection of railway vehicles in the world’s first railway town; High Force, one of the most impressive waterfalls in England, in the beautiful North Pennines, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; Hamsterley Forest near Bishop Auckland, a delightful 5,000-acre oasis sprawling along the sides of a sheltered valley in the North Pennines, and the clifftop coastal footpath of Durham's Heritage Coast is a treat for nature lovers.

County Durham’s Heritage Coast

If you or your group would like to enjoy a visit to County Durham on your trip to the United Kingdom to experience some - or all - of the fabulous attractions we have highlighted here, please do contact our friendly team today!

All photos © Visit County Durham, unless otherwise stated.