20 Attractions to Explore Near Hamsterley Forest - Forestry England

Hamsterley Forest is a commercial forest in County Durham operated by the Forestry Commission. It is the largest forest in County Durham and covers more than 2,000 hectares. It is a fantastic day out for the whole family. From wildlife watching to stargazing, and adventure play for all the family to exhilarating mountain biking, there is something to keep everyone busy.

The Harehope Quarry Project is based in a former limestone quarry near the village of Frosterley in County Durham. The project aims to demonstrate a more sustainable way of living through its education and events programme and through the development and management of this Local Wildlife Site.

Escomb Saxon Church is one of the oldest Anglo-Saxon churches in England and one of only three complete Anglo-Saxon churches remaining in England. The church was built around 675 AD with stone probably from the Roman Fort at Binchester. Escomb church is on the national register of the Small Pilgrim Places Network. These places are small, spiritual oases, offering an atmosphere that encourages stillness, prayer and reflection for people of all faiths or none.

Raby Castle isis a medieval castle located near Staindrop in County Durham, England, built by John Neville, 3rd Baron Neville de Raby, between approximately 1367 and 1390. It was surrounded by 200 acres of lush green parkland, where herds of red and fallow deer live wild. Explore the park and amble around the ponds to spot plenty of wildlife that inhabit this remarkable setting.

Tunstall Reservoir was a water supply storage reservoir completed in 1879 and now used solely to maintain minimum regulatory flows on the River Wear in northeast England set in beautiful countryside. There is a fishing lodge at the far end with picnic tables, resident ducks, and a portaloo.

Kynren is a spectacular outdoor theatre experience that takes place annually, usually between August and September. The open-air extravaganza had planned to add even more to their attraction in 2020 with a new show, new attractions and new dining. This family-friendly event is a feast for all the senses and a brilliant way to enjoy the long summer evenings in the North East.

The Roman fort at Binchester lies above the River Wear just outside the historic town of Bishop Auckland (Co. Durham). Known to the Romans as Vinovia, it commanded the main road that ran from the legionary headquarters at York northwards to Hadrian's Wall. It formed a key element of the complex frontier system that lay both sides of the Wall that marked the northern-most edge of the Roman Empire for nearly four hundred years.

Bishop Auckland Town Hall is a multi-purpose cultural venue situated in the Bishop Auckland marketplace. The Hall with its theatre, gallery, library, and café has undergone a major refurbishment program and was due to fully reopen to the public earlier in 2020. The building held a prominent position in the town and dominated the area with its strong mansard pavilions, spires, and associated ironwork.

Auckland Castle, once home to the Prince Bishops of Durham. It is one of the best-preserved bishops’ palaces in the whole of Europe and is at the center of The Auckland Project. Previously a deer park, Bishop Hugh Pudsey established a manor house on the site in around 1183. Because it was near to his hunting estate, a successor, Bishop Bek, relocated his main residence from Durham Castle to Auckland and he later converted the manor house into a castle.

A beautiful and majestic castle, which was set in the bustling market town of Stanhope, surrounded by the beautiful countryside fields and hills of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It comprises of a beautiful lawn to the front of the house, and side elevation and beautiful woodland pathways lead to the river.

One of the unique venues with a range of attractions such as a tearoom offering homemade hot and cold meals, specialty coffees and teas, gift shops and speciality craft shops, gardens, visitor information, function room, and business offices. The grounds of the Centre boasts a wonderful site, also home to a wonderful sculpture, covered in lots of fossils, known as Frosterley Marble.

Weardale, one of the Durham Dales, was once the hunting ground of County Durham’s Prince Bishops. This spectacular dale has beautiful historic settlements, great attractions and exhilarating landscapes to discover. Explore this stunning area either by car, on foot, on horseback or by bicycle or motorbike – there’s actually more miles of foot and cycle paths in the county than roads, so visitors feel far away from their busy lives.

Hall Hill Farm is a tourist attraction Set in the attractive countryside with the opportunity to see and touch animals at close quarters. Farm trailer ride, barrel train, gift shop, tearoom, picnic, and indoor and outdoor play areas. there is a wide variety of animals including both large and small, from chicks, pigs, goats, deer, sheep, donkeys, ponies to llamas and highland cattle. It covers 290 hectares, consisting of 140 hectares of grassland, 40 hectares of woodland, and the remainder for

Waskerley Reservoir belongs to a group of three reservoirs, the others being Smiddy Shaw and Hideshope Reservoir. A popular outdoor activity is fly fishing – you can buy up to five-day tickets. Besides fishing, walking and cycling are favorite activities due to the beautiful scenery. Waskerley can be replenished by a gravity feed from Burnhope Reservoir or, if necessary, by pumping water from the Tyne-Tees Tunnel via an airshaft.

Brancepeth Castle is a medieval castle near Durham. First constructed in the mid-12th century, it has a dynamic history, constantly changing hands and use. The current building is a combination of the Neville’s medieval towers with early 19th-century additions by the Russells, who employed Edinburgh architect John Paterson to sensitively create a grand stately home within the walls and extensions.

A majestic and beautiful castle which was set on a high rock above the River Tees. It sits on the fringe of an attractive working market town also known as ‘Barney’ so there is plenty to do for families on a day out. The castle, an English Heritage property, was named after its 12th Century founder, Bernard de Balliol, and was later developed by Richard III whose boar emblem is carved above a window in the inner ward.

The Waskerley Way is a 16km route running from Parkhead Station above Stanhope in Weardale to Lydgetts Junction. An entirely off road route using the National Cycle Network, suitable for mountain, hybrid or cross bikes from the heart of Newcastle along the Tyne and Derwent valleys and then the Waskerley Way right on the cusp of the Pennines.

The Bowes Museum is a hidden treasure, a jewel in the heart of beautiful Teesdale. Housing internationally significant collections of fine and decorative arts. Picnic Area & Playground. The magnificent building stands proud in the historic market town of Barnard Castle housing internationally significant collections of fine and decorative arts. Purpose built in the 19th century by John and Joséphine Bowes, the Museum has a wonderful story to tell.

A hidden natural fountain with supposedly healing water that tastes like rotten eggs. This mineral spring can be found in Gainford. With a very high sulphur content the gases omit a foul bad egg smell which may put you off tasting it, but as soon as the smell clears the water appear fresh and cold. The noticeably sulphurous minerals contained in the water were thought to be health-giving and the well soon became a tourist attraction and there were unfulfilled plans to pipe the water to a pavili

Locomotion, previously known as Locomotion: the National Railway Museum at Shildon or Shildon Locomotion Museum is a railway museum in Shildon, County Durham, England. At Locomotion, you can see highlights of the national collection of railway vehicles in the world’s first railway town. The town of Shildon has had an exciting story to tell since the earliest days of the rail industry, making it the perfect place to explore the rich seam of local railway history and discover how the railways have