Beamish

28 Nov 2009 - 30 Mar 2010; not Mon or Fri (various dates)

History comes to life at the Beamish open-air museum, devoted to the re-enactment of Northern English life from 1800 to the 20th century. Visitors explore traditional houses, farms and shops, all painstakingly restored and brought to life by actors in period costume.

Crook Hall Easter

Apr 2010 (annual)

Every year, Crook Hall & Gardens celebrates Easter with a family event featuring an Easter Bunny, an egg hunt, various traditional games and plenty of un-hidden eggs for the kids to decorate.

Rhythm & Brews Festival

Sep 2010 (annual)

The wittily-titled Rhythm & Brews Festival appeals to fans of both great music and authentic beer. In addition to the music at the Darlington Arts Centre, the festival culminates in a free open-air concert on Darlington Market Square.

Beamish Agricultural Show

Sep 2010 (annual)

The reconstructed Colliery Village at the Beamish open-air museum hosts the Beamish Agricultural Show each year, featuring produce from local gardeners and the Beamish estate. The finest is auctioned off after a Harvest Festival in the chapel.

Apple & Pear Sunday

Sep 2010 (annual)

At the end of every summer, Crook Hall's orchard is opened to hungry apple and pear fans for a help-themselves harvest (subject to availability, of course). On this day, the picking is free!

Classic Car Day

Sep 2010 (annual)

A cavalcade of almost 200 splendid cars, from the 1920s to the 1970s, travel to Beamish for Classic Car Day, the largest gathering of collector's cars in the region. Shining representatives of motoring history (Daimler, Morris, Riley...) are on display.

Darlington Fireworks Spectacular

Oct 2010 (annual)

Held in South Park, the free Darlington Fireworks Spectacular with music and laser accompaniment attracts thousands of people every year. As well as the massive bonfire there are children's fairground rides and a radio roadshow.

Durham Book Festival

Oct - Nov 2010 (annual)

Revitalised and relaunched as the Durham Book Festival in 2008, the former Durham Literature Festival returns to host authors, poets and writers during ten days of events across a number of venues in this hallowed city, including the Gala Theatre.

Durham Bonfire Night

Nov 2010 (annual)

The Aykley Heads Police Headquarters organise the annual Guy Fawkes celebrations in Durham, featuring fireworks and a bonfire. Refreshments are available and there's ample parking at County Hall.

Durham Cathedral

Daily

Described by author Bill Bryson as "the best cathedral on planet Earth", Durham Cathedral occupies a site of worship dating back 900 years. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a place of deep spiritual, architectural and historical significance.

The Bowes Museum

Daily

Housed in a purpose-built Victorian building which opened in 1892, the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle is centred on John and Josephine Bowes' collection of European fine and decorative arts from the 15th century, one of the finest in Britain.

The Old Fulling Mill Museum

Daily

Durham's Old Fulling Mill now houses archaeological material, mostly from north-east England, but also from the Swiss Lakes, Ancient Greece and Rome. Historically, the collections reflect Durham University's academic interests and excavations.

Brick Train

Daily

Commissioned in 1994 by Darlington Borough Council, David Mach's extraordinary life-size brick model of one of Sir Nigel Gresley's distinctive A4 class locomotives is the largest contemporary public sculpture in Britain.

South Park

Daily

Originally known as Bellasses Park, then later the People's Park, Darlington's South Park covers an impressive 26 hectares, and gets its current name from the simple fact that it is south of the town centre. It has recently undergone a £4 million restoration and refurbishment to secure its place at the heart of the town's recreational facilities.

Durham Castle

Daily

Given UNESCO World Heritage status in 1986 to share with Durham Cathedral, Durham's castle is one of the few English buildings to have been continuously inhabited for over 900 years. It is a medley of architectural styles and together both buildings dominate the city centre of this ancient market town.

University of Durham Botanic Garden

Daily

The University of Durham Botanic Garden, all 18 acres of it, is set in mature woodland with plenty of exotic trees from America and the Himalayas.

Darlington Arts Centre & Civic Theatre

Daily

Darlington's joint centres for the visual and performing arts are housed in Victorian and Edwardian buildings, linking the past to the present under one organisational umbrella. Together the Darlington Arts Centre and Darlington Civic Theatre provide a year-round programme of art exhibitions, theatre, musicals, films, dance and performing arts.

Durham Light Infantry Museum

Daily

Set in superb landscaped grounds, the Durham Light Infantry Museum tells the story of County Durham's regiment from 1758 to 1968, with particular emphasis on both world wars.

The Oriental Museum

Daily

The Oriental Museum is the only museum of its kind in the United Kingdom, entirely devoted to art and archaeology from cultures throughout the Orient. The term Oriental is used as it was in the 19th century, to describe the civilisations of Asia and the Near East and the Islamic cultures of North Africa. The collections range from prehistoric Egypt and China to the work of living artists.

Durham Cathedral

Daily

Described by author Bill Bryson as "the best cathedral on planet Earth", Durham Cathedral occupies a site of worship dating back 900 years. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a place of deep spiritual, architectural and historical significance.

Darlington Railway Centre & Museum

Daily

On the route of the original Stockton & Darlington Railway - the world's first steam-worked public railway - the Darlington Railway Centre & Museum celebrates the famous and evocative age of steam.

No monthly events available.

Wolsingham and Wear Valley Agricultural Show

Sep 2010 (annual)

Wolsingham claims to hold the oldest agricultural show in England, at Scotch Isle Farm. It has everything you would expect to find at a country fair, with livestock displays and competitions, agricultural equipment, craft marquees and children's entertainment.

Twenty20 Cup: Durham Dynamos

1 Jun - 14 Aug 2010 (annual)

The Friends Provident T20 begins with a group format in June, before quarter finals in July and Finals Day at Southampton's Rose Bowl in August. Durham Dynamos play their home games at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street.

Rhythm & Brews Festival

Sep 2010 (annual)

The wittily-titled Rhythm & Brews Festival appeals to fans of both great music and authentic beer. In addition to the music at the Darlington Arts Centre, the festival culminates in a free open-air concert on Darlington Market Square.

Durham Regatta

Jun 2010 (annual)

The River Wear fills with boats for Durham's annual regatta, incorporating the running of the Grand Challenge Cup, the most prestigious event of the weekend. Durham Regatta dates back to 1834, and today it remains a favourite event with Durham University.

Durham Brass Festival

Jul 2010 (annual)

Durham Brass Festival offers everything from traditional brass bands, Latin, Caribbean and African music to contemporary jazz at venues all over town. The festival always emphasises the premièring and commissioning of new work.

Durham Book Festival

Oct - Nov 2010 (annual)

Revitalised and relaunched as the Durham Book Festival in 2008, the former Durham Literature Festival returns to host authors, poets and writers during ten days of events across a number of venues in this hallowed city, including the Gala Theatre.

Durham Bonfire Night

Nov 2010 (annual)

The Aykley Heads Police Headquarters organise the annual Guy Fawkes celebrations in Durham, featuring fireworks and a bonfire. Refreshments are available and there's ample parking at County Hall.

Darlington Fireworks Spectacular

Oct 2010 (annual)

Held in South Park, the free Darlington Fireworks Spectacular with music and laser accompaniment attracts thousands of people every year. As well as the massive bonfire there are children's fairground rides and a radio roadshow.

Crook Hall Easter

Apr 2010 (annual)

Every year, Crook Hall & Gardens celebrates Easter with a family event featuring an Easter Bunny, an egg hunt, various traditional games and plenty of un-hidden eggs for the kids to decorate.

Classic Car Day

Sep 2010 (annual)

A cavalcade of almost 200 splendid cars, from the 1920s to the 1970s, travel to Beamish for Classic Car Day, the largest gathering of collector's cars in the region. Shining representatives of motoring history (Daimler, Morris, Riley...) are on display.

Beamish Agricultural Show

Sep 2010 (annual)

The reconstructed Colliery Village at the Beamish open-air museum hosts the Beamish Agricultural Show each year, featuring produce from local gardeners and the Beamish estate. The finest is auctioned off after a Harvest Festival in the chapel.

Apple & Pear Sunday

Sep 2010 (annual)

At the end of every summer, Crook Hall's orchard is opened to hungry apple and pear fans for a help-themselves harvest (subject to availability, of course). On this day, the picking is free!

No biennial events available.