Durham For Families – Fun Family Days Out In Durham Everyone Will Enjoy

Durham For Families – Fun Family Days Out In Durham Everyone Will Enjoy From beach days in Seaham, to historic castle stays and museum visits, here's how to plan a family holiday in Durham. As a travel writer, I'm often guilty of looking for destinations that are close by and tried-and-tested. However, my recent trip to Durham was one of those experiences where I discovered a range of great activities and beautiful accommodation that had something for everyone. Seaham Hall, with its luxurious spa and fine-dining restaurant, was a highlight for my family. My son adored the nearby Seaham Beach, with its colourful sea glass and rockpools. We visited some amazing spots in Durham as a family, including museums like Locomotion, which is free to enter and offers so much for all generations. Located in Shildon, Locomotion is the largest undercover collection of historic rail vehicles in Europe. Adults will love learning about the historic trains, while kids will love running around looking at them or taking part in interactive activities. With over 70 rail vehicles on display, including steam, diesel, and electric locomotives, it's an amazing activity for school-age kids. Our son adored Locomotion, and I know he'll appreciate it even more as he gets older. The museum is also playing a key role in this year's S&DR200 festival – a 9-month celebration of the 200th anniversary of the first journey on the Stockton and Darlington Railway. This 26-mile journey transformed rail travel and trade around the world. Another brilliant family day out in Durham was at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North. As soon as we stepped through the entrance, I felt like I'd rolled back the clock. The open-air museum is vast, with several small towns and areas to explore. They span the 1820s, 1900s, 1940s, and 1950s, and include a pit village, farm, town, funfair. The thing I loved was how real it all feels. It sounds cliché, but it really is a place where history comes to life. You can see what school life was like in the 1900s, buy a bag of boiled sweets from a retro sweet shop, enjoy a ride on a vintage tram, see the animals in a 1940s farm, ride a vintage carousel and shop for 1950s TVs. One of my favourite things about Beamish experience was the number of live actors and skilled craftspeople dotted around the site. You really get to see first-hand how things worked in the olden days. With such a reliance on technology now, it's refreshing to see people showcasing traditional skills. For another truly unique place to relax in Durham, how about an overnight stay in a historic building within Beamish Museum? The museum recently launched self-catered accommodation on site, offering an unforgettable stay in the heart of its 1820s area. Drover’s Rest and Potter’s Cottage are two beautifully restored Georgian buildings, full of character and charm. As we stepped through the door, it felt like we’d travelled back time. The cottages are furnished with traditional pieces, yet thoughtfully equipped with all the modern comforts you'd expect (TV, a fully fitted kitchen, Wi-Fi). We brought a travel cot for our little one and had a cosy stay in our quirky home-from-home. Self-catered accommodation in Beamish is perfect for families who want to explore the museum at their own pace. In addition to these amazing attractions, Durham also offers plenty of family-friendly activities and places to visit. One of my recommendations is exploring Durham Botanic Gardens. Spanning 10-hectares, it's home to a beautiful mix of landscapes, plants, glasshouses, and sculptures. Durham Botanic Gardens is a great place for families who love nature and the outdoors. Our son loved seeing the giant sculptures, as well as the fish and creepy crawlies! Meanwhile, we were happy strolling through the tranquil setting, admiring the beautiful blossom in the trees and enjoying the peace within the city. Durham isn't a particularly hectic city, but it's still lovely to have spots like this so close to its centre. Of course, no family holiday is complete without somewhere to stay. From 5-star luxury to Georgian charm and magical castles, you're guaranteed to fall in love with one of these spots. Seaham Hall, for example, is a five-star spa resort on Durham's Heritage Coast. Dating back to 1791, the spectacular building has had several uses over the years, including being a military hospital in WW1, a secret bottling plant for Scotch whisky and a sanitorium. It's got that grand country house feel, but it also has all the modern amenities for a comfortable stay. We checked into one of the hotel's garden suites, which was wow – what a room! It loved its eclectic and colourful furnishings, chic bathroom with rolltop bath, as well as the private garden with its very own hot tub and fire pit. The biggest selling point? Serenity Spa – one of the best spas I've ever visited in the UK. Yes, ever! There's a lagoon-style swimming pool, steam, sauna, and hydrotherapy experiences and a large outdoor area with Jacuzzis and beds. It was bliss! Our son felt very well taken care of too, as there are two slots a day when kids can use the spa's swimming pool. For another magical place to stay in Durham, how about Lumley Castle? There's a real feeling of magic as you drive up to this 700-year-old wonder. Even more so, once you enter the ancient building, admiring the thick stone walls and wandering corridors that feel like they hold ancient secrets! Lumley Castle is home to a beautiful bedroom with a comically-tall four-poster bed – it's one of those beds with steps to get up onto it! We checked into the King James Suite, which boasts high arched ceilings, gothic doors and little enclaves for the bathroom, washroom, and toilet. It was how amazing is the King James Suite in Lumley Castle? We loved how much character there was to every element of our stay – from cocktails in the historic courtyard, to gourmet dinner in The Knight’s Restaurant. With its beautiful scenery, rich history, and plenty of family-friendly activities and places to visit, Durham is the perfect destination for a family holiday. Whether you're looking for beach days, castle stays or museum visits, there's something for everyone in this stunning North East town.