Days out and about

If you wish to explore beyond the boundaries of the district you can't go wrong by using us as your touring base. The District of Easington has excellent road links, with the A19 running north to south through the District and the A1 less than 15 miles away. The District is served by a good local public transport system, and if you wish to travel by bike there is also routes linking to the National Cycle Network and the North Sea Cycle Route. By staying in the District of Easington you can enjoy a variety of attractions which are all within easy reach.

Places to visit in County Durham

Durham City

The historic University City of Durham has to be experienced. The narrow cobbled streets and delightful river pathways are crowned by the magnificent Norman cathedral and castle, jointly designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Durham Cathedral, described by the European Commission as "the most beautiful building in the world", is open daily to visitors; access to Durham Castle is far more restricted. Staying in Durham why not visit the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery. The Gala Theatre at Durham is a spectacular multi-purpose building attracting major national events and conferences. For exhibits on China, Japan, Ancient Eygpt call in at the Durham University Oriental Museum.

Beamish Open Air Museum

Whilst in County Durham have the experience of a lifetime at Beamish Open Air Museum. Britain's favourite open air museum, set in over 300 acres of beautiful countryside, vividly recreates life in the North of England in the early 1800's and 1900's. Winner of both the British Museum of the Year and European Museum of the Year Awards, it demonstrates the recent history of the region in a "living" way and provides entertainment and education for visitors of all ages and interests.

Barnard Castle

The town of Barnard Castle includes both The Bowes Museum and Barnard Castle and stands on the threshold of the beautiful Durham Dales. The Museum is a world-class visitor attraction, it houses one of England's finest collections of fine art, textiles, ceramics and furniture.

Sedgefield

In Sedgefield is the county's only racecourse. Sedgefield Racecourse offers virtually year-round racing with 22 annual fixtures. For further details on attractions and events in Sedgefield contact Sedgefield Borough Leisure Services.

County Durham has lots of other attractions, contact either Durham County Council or Durham Tourist Information Centre for details of the county's other churches, castles and museums and for information on its industrial heritage sites, Roman remains, country parks, gardens, animal centres and areas of natural beauty.

Places to visit outside of County Durham

Hartlepool

Visit Easington's close neighbour, Hartlepool, with its award-winning Historic Quay & Museum and the resident HMS Trincomalee, the oldest ship afloat in th UK. Shopaholics are catered for by the impressive Middleton Grange Shopping Centre. For outdoor recreation and conservation which is accessible to all, try Summerhills 100 acre site. Entertainment is varied in Hartlepool with something to cater for all needs. Why not try The Studio, an award-winning live music venue, or see a show at the Town Hall Theatre? There are also pubs-a-plenty and around half a dozen nightclubs. For further details on these and many more leisure services contact Hartlepool Tourist Information Centre.

Sunderland

Sunderland has a variety of attractions to keep the visitor busy, whether in the bustling city, on the coast or in the countryside. Spend a day on the fantastic Sunderland glass trail where you can visit some of the most important sites associated with glass making and see the magnificent National Glass Centre. Visit one of the many museums: the spectacular Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens is well worth a visit as is the beautifully restored Mowbray Park in which it stands. Other cultural attractions include the West End productions on offer at the Empire Theatre and the unusual and thought-provoking exhibitions to be seen at the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art. Visit City of Sunderland Council for more information.

Newcastle/Gateshead

The Angel of the North is a huge new landmark, with arms open wide to welcome visitors to the exciting twin cities of Gateshead and Newcastle.

Newcastle has both an intriguing past and a vibrant present. The Norman keep, the medieval city walls and the quayside enclose a rich Victorian townscape, excellent nightlife and bang up-to-the-minute shopping with the Eldon Square precinct being only one of many attractive malls.

Gateshead's Metrocentre is the region's biggest and one of Europe's largest out-of-town shopping and leisure complexes. There's an indoor funfair, cinemas and a huge range of shops and big stores.

Gateshead's cultural quarter, on the quay beside the River Tyne, is on the same hugh scale. The BALTIC is a major new international centre for contemporary art and the Sage an international home for music and musical discovery.

Major museums in Newcastle include the Life Science Centre, with its graphic demonstration of how truly amazing life is. A visit to Tyneside would not be complete without seeing a show: try the Theatre Royal, the Metro Radio Arena or the Newcastle Playhouse Theatre. For further information contact Newcastle City Council or Gateshead Council.

Middlesbrough

The commercial hub of the Tees Valley, at the heart of Captain Cook Country with superb access to the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum recreates life at sea as it really was in Cook's time. It is situated in glorious Stewart Park, a rural retreat with 120 acres of parkland, woodland and lakes which hosts many events. Discover the Dorman Museum with its collection of beautiful Linthorpe Pottery or visit an indoor tropical garden at Nature's World. Join one of the organised stadium tours at the Riverside Stadium, home of the Boro, Middlesbrough Football Club. Click here for further information on attractions in Middlesbrough or tourism in the Tees Valley.

Hadrian's Wall

Hadrian's Wall's international importance as an evocative monument to one of the world's greatest civilisations has resulted in its designation by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, one of two in the North region. Not only is it the most important structure built by the Romans in Britain, but it is the best known frontier in the entire Roman Empire. Today, the 73 miles from Wallsend to Bowness are studded with forts, milecastles, temples and turrets. These 2000 year old remains are brought brilliantly to life by museums, reconstructions and fascinating visitor centres.

Northumberland

Visit The Alnwick Garden. Set within a walled garden, its centrepiece, the Grand Cascade, is the largest water feature of its kind in the country. The Ornamental Garden, a symmetrical structured garden with a strong European influence, brimming with more than 15,000 plants and The Rose Garden, a mixture of pergola lined paths covered with roses mixed with glorious clematis and honeysuckle, give pleasure to all those who visit. Alnwick Castle, is the largest inhabited castle in England after Windsor Castle and home of the Percys, Dukes of Northumberland since 1309. Contact Visit Northumberland for details of the county's other fabulous castles and gardens and for information on Lindisfarne Priory, Holy Island, Kielder Water and Forest Park, Northumberland National Park and the county's beautiful coastline.