British Food and Travel

County Durham nestles on the northeast coast of England between Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, North Yorkshire, and Cumbria. It has a long history of mining (both lead and coal), farming, and railways. But it also has strong roots within the church.

This Wednesday, 20th March, is County Durham Day, but the entire year is cause for celebration. 2019 is the county’s Year of Culture with a calendar packed full of exciting events and festivals. In this article, we explore just a few of the reasons why County Durham should be one of your 2019 destinations.

Whether it’s a food festival getting your taste buds tingling, music or dance getting your toes tapping, drama putting you on the edge of your seat, an exhibition that opens your eyes, a heritage event bringing the past to life or a festival that lets you get back to nature – you’re certain to have an eventful time in Durham. – This isDurham.com/19

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

March 20th may be County Durham Day but it was chosen because it is also the birthday of St. Cuthbert, whose remains are enshrined in Durham Cathedral. Both the cathedral and Durham Castle received the designation of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1986. Since 1840, the Norman-built Durham Castle has been a part of University College. As such, it is in constant use by students and teaching staff. However, members of the public can take a guided tour of the property.

Meanwhile, the cathedral is considered one of Britain’s most recognizable tourist destinations. Bishop William of St. Calais started construction of the current structure in 1093, although monks from Lindisfarne had built the first cathedral here some 100 years earlier. Visitors are welcome to tour the cathedral but do remember that it is still very much in use as a place of worship.

Durham’s Heritage Coastline

County Durham may be small in size but its heritage coastline can rival that of neighbouring Northumberland or North Yorkshire, so be sure to include it on one of your coastal walks. Visit the county’s only harbour in the charming town of Seaham. There you can wander along the beach or stop by St. Mary the Virgin Church, one of the oldest Anglo-Saxon churches in existence, dating to the 8th century. The church is open to the public some Wednesdays and Saturdays during the summer months.

Following the coastal path south along the cliffs, you might be lucky to catch a glimpse of some of the rare plants and wildlife found in this region. The bird population features herring gulls, grey partridges, and oystercatchers, to name just a few. This is also an excellent area to sea and hear skylarks. Although numbers have dropped nationwide, skylark populations in County Durham are on the rise again. Other coastal wildlife to keep an eye open for include the white banded snail, glow worms, a variety of butterflies and moths, dolphins, seals, and the occasional minke whale.

South of Seaham are Nose’s Point and Hawthorn Dene. The former was once a part of the county’s mining industry. Now it has been reclaimed by nature and there are some magnificent views of the rugged coastline. At Hawthorn Dene, see more than 200 types of trees in unspoiled woodland. Further still down the coast, we find Castle Eden Dene, a National Nature Reserve managed by Natural England. Walking trails guide you through one of the richest and most geologically interesting parts of the northeast.

County Durham’s Countryside

Heading inland, there are two major areas of countryside to explore. The Vale of Durham stretches from the heritage coast in the east to the Durham Dales in the west. The southern part of the Vale is mostly agricultural land and market towns. Further north, the scenery becomes more hilly as it approaches the Pennines. One of the region’s best known market towns is Bishop Auckland. Durham’s bishops lived at nearby Auckland Castle for some 900 years. Today, the castle, its impressive art collection, and its grounds are open to the public.

The entire family will enjoy a day at Beamish. This Living Museum of the North is England’s largest open-air museum and visitors will get to relive life in northeast from bygone eras. Beamish is set in 300 acres of countryside with plenty to explore. See village life in the 1820s, go down the pit in the 1900s, or engage in life on the farm in the 1940s. Beamish is open year-round and leashed dogs are welcome.

Further west are the Durham Dales, part of the North Pennines. Here, rugged hills, mountains and open moorland form the landscape with just a few towns and villages scattered through the valleys of Teesdale and Weardale. This is a place for the outdoors lover; you’ll find hiking, cycling, fishing, adventure sports, even alpaca trekking. One popular circular walk takes in the High and Low Force Waterfalls, High Force being England’s biggest waterfall. At 5 miles, the walk is a comfortable distance, allowing you to see the falls and experience the beauty of the Pennines.

Kynren

Billed as “the UK’s most spectacular open-air live show”, Kynren runs through the summer in the grounds of Auckland Palace. The show starts at sunset, and for the next 90 minutes, 29 scenes depict 2000 years of English history from the Roman occupation to World War II. Kynren features a cast and crew of more than 1,000, as well as live animals, a dazzling pyrotechnics show, and incredible sound track. Arrive early to experience the food village, themed Georgian shops, Viking blacksmith, and more. As cliched as it sounds, Kynren really is a show that needs to be seen to be believed.

Other 2019 Events

Other events not to be missed include the Bishop Auckland Food Festival in April, and the Great North Festival of Agriculture, which runs throughout the month of September at Beamish Museum. For more celebrations of farming life and the countryside, the Wolsingham Show runs in early September with sheep dog trials, livestock exhibits, a giant country fair, vintage vehicles, and much, much more. And you know British Food and Travel loves our island’s dark skies. Don’t miss the North Pennines Stargazing Festival in late October. And the UK’s largest light festival, Lumiere Durham, will return in November for its 10th anniversary edition.