Walks in Durham
Alexander IlesA curated guide on where to walk in Durham, featuring riverside routes, easy ambles, sought-out hikes and marked cultural stopping points.
Our top picks
Riverside Walk
Easily accessible from the city centre the Riverside Walk is best joined from either Elvet or Framwellgate Bridge and then takes you on a circular walk beside the River Wear. Perfect on a sunny day, the riverside is covered in woodland and is cool even on the warmest days providing a cool breeze and the smell of trees and plants that is evocative of native British woodlands.
Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens are a short distance from the city centre and cover ten hectares of land, taking you across the world and introducing you to the beautiful diversity of plants.
Wharton Park
Just behind Durham’s Train station is Wharton Park. The park was created after William Lloyd Wharton inherited the land and decided that Durham needed a public park alongside the railway station.
Aykley Wood
Found to the North of Durham, Aykley Wood is a nature reserve. Situated next to local housing estates the woods have protected an area of ancient British woodlands in county Durham and ensured that these can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
Frankland Park
Frankland Park is a linear walk though some of the most beautiful ancient woodland in County Durham. Found to the East of Durham on the banks of the River Wear, this walk takes you from the medieval religious house of Kepier Hospital through to the industrial viaduct that brought the trains to Durham.
Low Burnhall
A two miles from Durham city and off the historic Great North Road is Low Burnhall – sixty eight hectares of stunning natural beauty; a wonderful natural woodland that ranges from newly planted trees through to ancient British woodlands.
Old Durham Gardens
With more than three hundred and fifty years of history Old Durham Gardens, less than a mile from the historic city centre of Durham, is a popular location for pleasant walks and relaxation.
Auckland Park
Next to Bishop Auckland is the refurbished Auckland project which is now internationally famous for Kynren and the Spanish Gallery, but also has the grand and pleasant Auckland Park attached to the Castle.
Finchale Priory
Finchale Priory, three miles North East of Durham, is a wonderful peaceful spot that can be found fifteen minutes away from Durham city centre.
Where to go in North East
Sunderland
Thompson Park, Sunderland
Thompson Park in Sunderland provides a local area for sport in the city. If you are looking for outdoor exercise from tennis to bowling, then Thompson Park can provide it.
Sunderland
The Secret Garden – Doxford Park
Doxford Park has a long history with human habitation back to the stone age, though the name of Silkworth comes from a Scandinavian Chief Silki who settled the land and created a community there a ‘worth’.
Sunderland
Roker Park
Roker Park started as Sunderland Association Football Club’s stadium from the club’s founding in 1898 to 1997 when it was demolished and the club moved to the Stadium of Light. The park today has pleasant walks beside creatively planted flower beds awash with colour.
Sunderland
Barnes Park
Considered one of the most popular parks in Sunderland and one of the best walks to experience in the city, Barnes Park is just under two miles long providing a lot of space for people to enjoy.
Sunderland
Mowbray Park
In the heart of Sunderland is Mowbray Park – one of the oldest parks in the North East of England. This beautiful park is wonderfully Victorian, being carefully designed to allow for a pleasant walk and fresh air in the centre of the city, while showing you plans from across the world.
Durham
Auckland Park
Next to Bishop Auckland is the refurbished Auckland project which is now internationally famous for Kynren and the Spanish Gallery, but also has a grand and pleasant park attached to the Castle.
Durham
Old Durham Gardens
With more than three hundred and fifty years of history Old Durham Gardens, less than a mile from the historic city centre of Durham, is a popular location for pleasant walks and relaxation.
Durham
Low Burnhall
A two miles from Durham city and off the historic Great North Road is Low Burnhall – sixty eight hectares of stunning natural beauty; a wonderful natural woodland that ranges from newly planted trees through to ancient British woodlands.
Durham
Frankland Park
Frankland Park is a linear walk though some of the most beautiful ancient woodland in County Durham. Found to the East of Durham on the banks of the River Wear, this walk takes you from the medieval religious house of Kepier Hospital through to the industrial viaduct that brought the trains to Durham.
Durham
Aykley Wood
Found to the North of Durham, Aykley Wood is a nature reserve. Situated next to local housing estates the woods have protected an area of ancient British woodlands in county Durham and ensured that these can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
Durham
Wharton Park
Just behind Durham’s Train station is Wharton Park. The park was created after William Lloyd Wharton inherited the land and decided that Durham needed a public park alongside the railway station.
Newcastle
Heaton Park Newcastle
Found in the east end of Newcastle, Heaton Park offers fantastic opportunities to explore with woods, beautifully maintained flowerbeds, and wooded areas all in the same park. It is fantastically connected to both Armstrong Park and Jesmond Dene, for those looking to extend their walk around the other parks locally.
North East Visitor Guides
Walks in Sunderland
A cultivated array of walks and cultural spaces to visit, with nods to local history, sporting events, landmarks and heritage.
Walks in Newcastle
A guide to the most attractive, rewarding and beautiful walks in central Newcastle and the landscape beyond.
Hotels in the North East
To make life easy when it comes to booking your stay, here’s our guide to the best hotels in the North East of England.
Shopping in the North East
Our guide to the best shops in the North East of England, including independents, boutiques and markets in Durham, Newcastle and Sunderland.
Attractions in the North East
Our guide to the best cultural attractions in the North East of England, including Newcastle, Durham and Sunderland.
North East District Guides
Spotlight on
Things to do in Blackpool
Fancy a festive day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.
Take me thereDestination Guides
Culture Guides
Music in the North
From Afrobeat to psychedelia, alternative rock to glistening pop, we take a look at some of the best gigs happening in early 2025.
Family things to do in the North
As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.
Literature Events in the North
Bookish goings-on are perfect for picking up presents for others and treats to get yourself through the cold, dark days ahead.
Theatre in the North
From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.
Cinema in the North
Get ready for animated classics, Muppet mayhem and a whole host of New York movies -- it's Christmas time in the cinema.
Classical Music in the North
Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.
Tours and Activities in the North
Munch away the Autumnal blues with this foodie orientated guide of Tours and Activities in Manchester and the North.
Food and Drink in the North
Take some autumnal eating-out tips from this month's guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.