Group Tour Operator and DMC for County Durham
Durham, Crook Hall and Beamish
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Durham City ©Visit County Durham
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Durham Cathedral ©Visit County Durham
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Beamish, The Living Museum of the North - Meet Father Christmas's reindeer
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The Town at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
With its iconic cathedral and castle, Durham City is the jewel in the crown of an extraordinary county. The quintessential old English university city offers relaxing riverside walks, galleries and museums and an array of shops and markets. The Castle and Cathedral, a UNESCO world heritage site, offers stunning views over the city. The Dales and Vale of Durham are diverse landscapes, dotted with market towns and picturesque villages. To the coast, and dominated by the beautiful 13th century Abbey, Whitby is a traditional maritime town with old cobbled streets, picturesque houses and sandy blue flag beaches.
Dates
15th May and 10th October 2026 | Alternative dates available on request
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Travel to Durham
Arrive at your hotel and relax before having dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 2
Durham and National Trust Crook Hall and Gardens
Today we spend the whole day exploring Durham. It’s a captivating city with winding cobbled streets, a prominent peninsula crowned with the dramatic Durham Cathedral and Castle UNESCO World Heritage Site. This viewing point offers one of the most stunning city panoramas in Europe. Marvel at the 900-year-old cathedral that holds the remains of St Cuthbert, the 7th century Bishop of Lindisfarne, and the tomb of the Venerable Bede, the chronicler of Cuthbert’s life and the first English historian. Our trip today includes a visit to the wonderful Crook Hall & Gardens, a 13th century Grade I listed Medieval hall, and one of the oldest inhabited houses in the city. The hall is surrounded by six acres of romantic gardens laid out in a series of ‘rooms’ such as the Shakespeare Garden, the Cathedral Garden and the Secret Walled Garden. Crook Hall is just a short walk along the river from Durham city’s bustling market place.
Day 3
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
Another very special place today; Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, a living, working museum, set in 300 acres of beautiful Durham countryside. Trams rattle along the cobbled streets and costumed folk bring to life how things were in north east England in the 1820s,1910s and 1940s. But what makes Beamish rather special are the buildings. They’re not replicas, but have been brought, brick by brick, from around the region and rebuilt to give visitors a real sense of history.
Enjoy more free time in Durham, why not spend an hour cruising on the River Wear to view Durham from the water?
Day 4
After a leisurely breakfast, travel home
Suggested hotels – Inspected by Greatdays staff
Holiday Inn Washington ***
Situated adjacent to the A1 and a short 20 minute drive from Durham in a residential area. There is an open plan lobby, lounge and bar and Traders Restaurant and fitness suite. There are 135 recently refurbished and modern bedrooms, lift access and ample free onsite coach parking.
Radisson Blu Hotel Durham ****
This modern hotel is right in the heart of the city on the banks of the River Wear and within walking distance of the castle and cathedral. There is a large open plan lobby and lounge area, two bars and Jozef restaurant. The leisure centre has an indoor pool, sauna and gym. There are 207 modern and comfortable bedrooms. Lifts to all floors and secure onsite parking available (please ask if charges are applicable for your stay)
Delta Hotels by Marriott Durham Royal County ****
This hotel is in the heart of the city on the banks of the River Wear within 10 minutes’ walking distance to Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle. Each of the refurbished rooms have TV, Wifi, tea and coffee making facilities, desk and chair, hairdryer, safe (at a charge), iron and ironing board. Some rooms have enviable views across to the Cathedral and/or Castle. Enjoy a beer or cocktail on the outdoor terrace or a coffee in the Paddy and Scott’s coffee shop or spend the afternoon in the fitness suite. The stylish Cast Iron Restaurant serves seasonal dishes from locally sourced ingredients. There is no onsite coach parking at this hotel but free coach parking is nearby.
| Dates | Hotel | 4 days / 3 nights |
| 15th May 2026 |
Radisson Blu Hotel Durham | From £319.00 per person |
| 2nd October 2026 |
Radisson Blu Hotel Durham | From £319.00 per person |
| Alternative dates 2026 & 2027 |
Prices on request – subject to availability |
Single supplement available on request.
