1. Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon - Shildon, County Durham, DL4 1PQ - Tel No: 01388 777999
Big family fun with tons of interactive displays about the railway heritage plus over 70 vehicles. Vintage busses, fun and learning tours, free learning workshops and much more. There are exhibitions, a restaurant opened daily, play area for the kids, an area for picnics, and an excellent gift shop with items and merchandise for kids and adults. Free parking also available.
2. Fun Shack - Seaham, County Durham, SR7 0PY - Tel No: 01915 214853
Indoor family fun with many activities for the kids, free parking, trained staff, security features, and a fun safe environment for the kids. Kids can play in the tunnels, swings, snake slides, river rapids slide, bowling alley, all in three floors of fun space. Enjoy the restaurant as well, or book your kids birthday party.
3. Diggerland - Langley Park, Durham, County Durham, DH7 9TT - Tel No: 08712 277007
Family fun starts with driving diggers, enjoying the digger dancing shows where you can see five huge JCB diggers perform all kinds of stunts, which require amazing skill by the operators. Kids get to ride diggers and play. Many digger rides available. Age and height limits apply to each ride. Book private or corporate parties. Enjoy a fun meal at the restaurant or bring a picnic.
4. Beamish Museum - Beamish, County Durham, DH9 0RG - Tel No: 01913 704000
The open-air museum replicates a Northern town in the early twentieth century. Families can enjoy the 300 hundred acres of countryside with many villages, farm, a town, a manor, the Pockerley Wagonway, a railway station, a museum store, and much more. Families can enjoy free rides on historical transports - six restored vehicles.
5. Thorpe Farm Centre - Greta Bridge, Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 9TY - Tel No: 01833 627242
This is a farm site, which offers many activities for entertainment to families. Families can enjoy a bistro and coffee shop, a farm shop selling many local produce and fine foods, a well stock gift shop, falconry displays during the summer, camping area, wildlife and nature area, free community woodland walk, a reclamation barn where you can buy reclaimed furniture, biking and walking trails, and a play area for kids with trampolines.
6. Whitworth Hall Country Park - Whitworth, Spennymoor, County Durham, DL16 7QX - Tel No: 01388 811772
This historic parkland is the perfect country setting for a day of family fun and relaxation. Enjoy beautiful and lush Victorian gardens, a lake where the family can fish, great food at the restaurant, a kid's indoor or outdoor play area, and live band. Kids can also have fun feeding the animals. In addition, free parking, toilet facilities, and conference facilities.
7. Durham Cathedral - Durham, County Durham, DH1 3EH - Tel No: 01913 864266
This gorgeous architectural marvel of Romanesque skill and beauty is majestic and it took 40 years to build ending in 1133. Today, it offers religious services and people can visit the cathedral to enjoy its rich history, architectural amazing details, pray, worship, or admire its solemn beauty. Donations are encouraged as it takes more than 60,000 pounds a week to maintain it.
8. Adventure Valley - Brasside, Durham, County Durham, DH1 5SG - Tel No: 01913 868291
Six play zones of family fun and entertainment in the countryside. There are indoor and outdoor areas for kids to play, a farm, tons of interactive activities for kids, such as go-carts, trailer rides, tractors, zip wires, and more. There is a cafe with a sun terrace for enjoying some snacks and drinks. Parking is free and they offer tours and demonstrations as well.
