Auckland Castle
Auckland Castle, Market Place
Bishop Auckland DL14 7NR
Set within 200 acres of beautiful parkland above the River Wear, Auckland Castle has been home to the Bishop of Durham for over 900 years. After the Norman Conquest, the Bishop of Durham was granted exceptional powers to act as a political and military leader. As England's one and only Prince-Bishop, he was the second most powerful man in the country and effectively ruled the area between the Tyne and the Tees.
Aycliffe & District Bus Preservation Society
110 Fewston Close
Newton Aycliffe DL5 7HF
The North East of England has a rich and varied industrial heritage. Public transport is part of that heritage and has affected everyday life in this northern region. The preservation of selected local vintage buses is an opportunity to bring the public at large the transport of yesteryear - an opportunity to ride, to touch, smell and to see that which has now left the modern day scene.
Barnard Castle - English Heritage
Barnard Castle DL12 8PR
Set on a rock high above the River Tees, imposing Barnard Castle was the stronghold of the Balliol family. Taking its name from Bernard de Balliol, who rebuilt it in the 12th century, it includes a fine great hall and a dominating round-towered keep.
Beamish - The Living Museum of the North
Beamish Museum
Beamish DH9 0RG
Experience a real sense of your past at Beamish, and discover what life was like in North East England in Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian times. Beamish is a living, working museum, set in 300 acres of County Durham countryside. Founded in 1970 to illustrate the development of industry, agriculture and the way of life in the North East of England, Beamish is situated in 300 acres of woodland and farmland. Home Farm, a fine 19th century model farmstead, and Pockerley Old Hall, with its medieval stronghouse dating to the 1400s, are both listed buildings preserved in situ.
Binchester Roman Fort
Bishop Auckland DL14 8DJ
Binchester Fort was built during the 1st century AD to protect the point where Dere Street (an important road that ran from York to Scotland) crossed the River Wear. There were as many as 1,000 soldiers here at a time.
Durham Cathedral
The College
Durham DH1 3EH
A UNESCO World Heritage Site with breathtaking Romanesque architecture, exquisite stained glass, the Shrine of St Cuthbert and the resting place of St Bede. Things to do include climbing the Cathedral Tower, exploring the monks' dormitory, guided tours and special exhibitions.
Durham Light Infantry Museum & Durham Art Gallery
Aykley Heads
Durham DH1 5TU
The museum tells the proud story of County Durham's own Regiment The Durham Light Infantry from 1758 to 1968, with particular emphasis on WW1 & WW2. The displays focus on the experience of war, using letter & diary extracts, plus the actual voices of DLI WW2 soldiers.
Finchale Priory
Brasside DH1 5SH
The very extensive remains of a 13th century priory, founded on the site of a retired pirate's hermitage. Part of it later served as a holiday retreat for the monks of Durham Cathedral. Beautifully sited by the River Wear with delightful riverside walks nearby.
Head of Steam - Darlington Railway Museum
North Road Station
Darlington DL3 6ST
Head of Steam - Darlington Railway Museum was first opened in 1975 and is housed within North Road Station, built in 1842 for the Stockton & Darlington Railway. The Stockton & Darlington Railway was the first steam hauled public railway and was opened on September 27th 1825.
HMS Trincomalee Trust
Jackson Dock
Hartlepool TS24 0SQ
For the preservation of the 1817 frigate HMS Trincomalee (formerly Foudroyant). The site is now marketed as Hartlepool Historic Quay.
Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon
Shildon DL4 1PQ
We're home to over 300 years of history and over a million wonderful objects. Visit us and you can marvel at iconic locomotives, watch engineering work in progress in the Workshop and browse our object-filled Warehouse.
M Bowman Vintage Commercial Vehicle Museum
Unit 2, Dabble Duck Industrial Estate
Shildon DL4 2RA
The museum houses a range of vehicles that have been lovingly restored. Many of which, have been in the Bowman family for generations as true workhorses of industry. The aim of the museum is to allow people to see the progression of a family business over the years from horse and cart through to modern diesel engine lorries which, were to be seen as an everyday part of local life throughout the North East of England.
Palace Green Library
Durham University Library, Palace Green
Durham DH1 3RN
Founded in 1833 and occupying listed buildings within the Durham World Heritage site, the Palace Green Library of Durham University houses archives, early printed books and other special collections. The Library has two exhibition spaces: the Wolfson Gallery, which regularly exhibits treasures from all of the university's heritage collections and the Dunelm Gallery.
Preston Park Museum & Grounds
Preston Hall, Yarm Road
Stockton-on-Tees TS18 3RH
Nestled alongside the River Tees, Preston Hall, a former Georgian gentleman's residence and former home of industrial magnate Robert Ropner, houses a varied collection of Teesside's treasures. Walk through the impressive doors to find out more about those who lived there, the varied museum collection, the vital role the mighty River Tees has played throughout history and the leisure time pursuits that were just as popular then as they are today.
Tees Cottage Pumping Station
Coniscliffe Road
Darlington DL3 8TF
From 1849, Tees Cottage Pumping Station revolutionized water supply in Darlington and Teeside by supplying cleaner, piped water to inhabitants who had previously relied on wells and rainwater tubs. On Open Days you can experience the 1902 Lancashire Boilers, 1904 steam Beam Engine and 1914 Gas engine, all operated and explained by a group of dedicated volunteers. We also have a working Blacksmith's Shop and a Miniature Railway- a favourite with children.