Durham

Discover Durham in 2025. An unmissable year ahead awaits! With an array of exciting new attractions, activities, and events, the county is brimming with reasons to visit in 2025.

Beamish, The Living Museum of the North: Experience history like never before. Step back in time to the Georgian tavern and pottery or explore everyday fifties life at the 1950s Town, including the new cinema, toy shop, and electrical store.

Discover three stunning new gardens at Auckland Palace. Wander through the Wilderness Garden, reflect in the tranquil Faith Garden, and meet gardeners in the reimagined historic Walled Garden.

Raby Castle, Park, and Gardens: Stroll through the redesigned walled garden, enjoy local flavours at the Vinery restaurant, and take a guided tour of the medieval castle filled with fascinating stories, art, and artefacts.

Locomotion in Shildon: A dream destination for railway enthusiasts, the museum now boasts Europe's largest collection of historic railway vehicles under one roof with the opening of the New Hall.

The Bowes Museum, a magnificent 19th century building as impressive as the internationally significant collections of fine and decorative art within.

Kynren – An Epic Tale of England: 2025 will be a significant year for the award-winning production Kynren returning this summer with an expanded schedule with new highlights, including a special celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

2025 will be a significant year for the award-winning production, returning next summer with an expanded schedule and new highlights, including a special celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Special group rates are now available to book for the new season.

S&DR200 is a 9-month international festival taking place across County Durham and Tees Valley in 2025, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the first journey on the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR).

This 26-mile journey on the S&DR between Shildon and Stockton via Darlington on 27 September 1825 transformed how the world traded, travelled, and communicated.

The S&DR200 Festival will present a series of free large-scale outdoor spectacles, events, exhibitions and new art commissions in the public spaces, libraries and world-class museums of County Durham and Tees Valley from March to November 2025.

Whether your group is interested in history and heritage, arts and culture or simply want to enjoy stunning scenery, Durham is your destination.