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I've got an (extended) family holiday booked in Sept - cottage for 10 in Low Dinsdale, Co Durham. Any locals/people who know the area recommend me stuff to see/do/visit etc please?
I'm taking my gravel bike, my fell running shoes and walking stuff. There will be me and the Mrs plus our 3 kids in their 20's and partners and our grandkids (2 and 3 months).
I know that Durham is nice and we've been to Beamish before.
TIA.
Walking wise the Cleveland Way is plentiful around that way, head to Osmotherely and Cod Beck reservoir. Roseberry Topping is a nice walk and plenty tracks heading from there, you can bike some of the area as well plenty bridleways
Take a drive to Barnard Castle
Touristy things near-ish:
Raby castle
Mount Grace Priory
Locomotion in Shildon
Preston park (not in itself amazing, but good playpark for the 2 year old)
There're OK leisure pools in Stockton or Darlington for the kids
Cycling wise, you're spoiled for choice if you drive half an hour from either direction. Starting from Osmotherly or Reeth are good shouts, ideal gravel bike or mtb country.
Walking / running wise in that area, my favourite places to start would be Lord Stones Country Park, Bowlees (for High Force) and Great Ayton or Kildale for Roseberry Topping / Cooks Monument.
Cheers. Yes, been running on Cleveland Way before and walking up Roseberry Topping so good shout.
Ha ha, been to Barnard Castle a few times. My eyesight is fine. ;0)
Thanks Tomd. Good suggestions.
Blimey - just found this from last time I was up that way. Nine years ago!!! :-0
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/great-ayton-nyorks-wassit-like-then/
For kiddy walks then Captain Cooks monument near Great Ayton, 2 year old might be able to walk all the way and not too far to carry. Ice creams in Ayton after and feeding the ducks on the other side of the river to The Buck at the West end of the village. Ride back through the lanes from there goes something like Tanton, Seamer, Hutton Rudby, Rountons , Appleton Wiske, Hornby and over the wooden bridge to Low Dinsdale.
Lordstones at the top of Carlton bank is a good start for kiddy bimbles, epic hikes and cycling routes.
Guisborough Walkway has a great park for kids of all sizes, kiddy walks, long walks, gravel bike or mountain bike routes.
Evening ride from low Dinsdale along S. side of Tees to Yarm, go N. cross the river then immediately turn left (west) through Aislaby, Middletons One Row and St. George, Neasham and Low Dinsdale. Lots of lanes to explore.
At Hurworth the map shows a bridleway crossing the river and a bridge. Be warned that the right of way is not over the bridge but through the river (can be deep) and the landowner sometimes shuts the gates to make the point.
Museums not listed above:
Bowes Museum at Barnard Castle is a must and better value than an eye test.
Head of Steam in Darlington
Middlesbrough modern art gallery
Beach day:
Saltburn or Runswick (longer drive) are my favourites.
Redcar and Marske are also good. Marske has fewer facilities and the sand less nice (in my biased view). Redcar is Redcar and best focus on the beach but has a few good cafes and lemon top ice creams.
Is this enough days out? More local knowledge available if your team has specific likes.
PS you can work out some good walks from there along the tees valley, I did a couple years ago when I lived in Yarm. Canoeing is also and option along that section of the Tees as the large loop means short walk back for the car. Can't vouch for any pubs out that way except the the one at the far end of Hurworth used to be super posh and we ate there once when bought a lot of food vouchers as a present. The something and fish in Neasham used to be decent but lost touch with my mate from work who used to live there.
Where do you live normally?
And how far are you willing to travel from the holiday home?
Going waaaayyyy back (late 1970s/80s), Low Dinsdale and Middleton One Row were our flat river canoeing spots when we were kids. Couldn't do it now though, fibreglass kayaks are obsolete, it's all SUPs now.
You might just catch the last show but definitely worth a look. Very impressive outdoor show.
Mainly cast using hundreds of local volunteers....
My mother and nieces included..
Take your binoculars, RSPB Saltholme is worth a day out, then go for fish & chips at the Almighty Cod in Seaton Carew.
Have a ride up to Seaham Harbour & introduce the kids to Tommy.
There is nothing to do in the North East of England at all. Whatsoever. End of. No point venturing this way ay all. But if you must visit...
Killhope Museum is well worth it.
On that note if you do venture up Weardale it gives you 4 or 5 of the highest road climbs in England and lots of high level tracks too. It'll be gravel-tastic on nice day after a dry spell.
There's a bit of Roman stuff just north of there. Lots of options. Some bits are free, then there is English heritage bits and national trust if members. Nice wall walks too.
I like the walks along the tees. Cow green and cauldrons snout. High force down to low force is good as well.
Kynren and Finah performance in Bishop Auckland. Think tickets were cheaper this year. It's good but I'm biased because my Wife is on the cavalry team.
Durham itself is worth a visit. River is nice to walk along and the Cathedral is good. No students right now and they don't go back till October.
I've just had a week of work on the Weardale Railway. There are some nice pools to swim in if it's warm enough.
All the locals walk up the railway too. If you're after a horrible surface to walk on try that.
As always the STW massive delivers! Thanks everyone for your help. Very much appreciated.
+1 Durham Cathedral and Castle - book tours in advance. And the adults might take a trip over Kingsgate Bridge and have a pint or two in the Victoria which is a gem of a pub.
Beamish Museum
Gibside Chapel
Forbidden Corner (Magical for kids!)
Durham Cathedral
Shildon Rail Museum.
10 miles up road Newcastle!
Choc full of stuff to do.
All good stuff above
Get on the English Heritage website. Richmond town and castle are great. Biking at Hamsterly. North York Moors are great as a is swaledale on the opposite direction
Forbidden corner is absolutely superb, really good place to go 🙂
As it's September and the nights will have cut in:
Grasshome Observatory at Grassholme Reservoir couple of miles from Middleton in Teesdale.