County Durham

Places in County Durham

by Shearings

5 days from £499

Get a taste for the North East as we visit delightful Durham, historic Barnard Castle and the fascinating Beamish Open-Air Museum.

Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel ★★★★
Set in the heart of Darlington, this beautifully restored Victorian landmark is one of the town's most iconic buildings. Following a careful 2012 restoration, the hotel now offers 83 comfortable guestrooms, an elegant restaurant, a stylish cocktail bar and the grand Kings Ballroom, all delivered with the warm, attentive service Mercure is known for.

Its central location puts guests right among the town's shops and the Cornmill Shopping Centre, making it an ideal base for exploring Darlington on foot.

🧳 Arrival

Local departure by coach or Home Connect service then on to Darlington for a four-night stay.

Meals: Dinner
📸 Excursion
Durham

Trip to Durham in the ‘Land of the Prince Bishops’, whose Cathedral and Castle has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site – the jewel in the crown of an extraordinary county.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
📸 Excursion
Beamish Open-Air Museum

Enjoy a visit to the fascinating Beamish Open-Air Museum. A living, working museum set in 300 acres of Durham countryside, costumed folk bring to life the Town, Pit Village, Home Farm and Pockerley Old Hall. Telling the stories of life as it was in the 18th and 19th centuries, this award-winning museum has many North East tales to tell!

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
📸 Excursion
Barnard Castle

This morning we discover the charming town of Barnard Castle. This historic market town takes its name from the castle around which it grew (Entrance to the castle itself is not included). Home to many antique shops, independent stores and delightful cafés, there’s plenty to see and do here. We then return to the hotel this afternoon for free time.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
🏡 Departure

Return home.

Meals: Breakfast

by Shearings

5 days from £479

Uncover the rugged beauty of the Northumbrian Coast, famed for its golden sands, history and mystery, and visit the impressive Holy Island.

Leonardo Newcastle ★★★★
Set on the south bank of the River Tyne, the Leonardo Hotel Newcastle Quayside is a comfortable and convenient base for exploring the best of Newcastle and Gateshead.

Many of its spacious rooms enjoy lovely views over the Tyne and its famous bridges, and you're just a short stroll from the Quayside's shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. With a riverside restaurant, on-site coffee bar, and easy access to the city centre and transport links, it's a welcoming spot to relax after a day of sightseeing.

🧳 Arrival

Local departure by coach or Home Connect service, then on to Newcastle for a four-night stay.

Meals: Dinner
📸 Excursion
Holy Island* and Seahouses

This tiny, 2-sq mile island packs a lot in with religious significance dating back centuries.
Connected to the mainland by a causeway that is only accessible at low tide, Lindisfarne is much the same as when St. Aidan founded a monastery here in 635 AD.
We then return via Seahouses, a delightful Northumberland Coast village.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
📸 Excursion
Durham and Newcastle

Explore Durham, in the ‘Land of the Prince Bishops’, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The grand Norman-era Cathedral dominates the landscape and there is a plethora of delightful shops and cafés to enjoy in the cobbled streets.
We then return to Newcastle for an afternoon at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
📸 Excursion
Alnwick and Northumbrian Coast

Today we visit Alnwick, home to an impressive castle and gardens and is bursting with pretty streets and interesting shops, such as Barter Books, one of the largest second-hand bookshops in Europe.
We then take a scenic drive along the beautiful Northumbrian Coast. With wide, sandy beaches, quaint villages, and impressive castles, this stretch of coastline is some of the most beautiful in the country.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
🏡 Departure

Return home.

Meals: Breakfast