Potato Day

Feb 2009 (annual)

Discover all the secrets of the delicious and versatile tuber at Bowburn's very own Potato Day, held in Bowburn Community Centre.

Crook Hall Easter

Mar 2009 (annual)

Every year, Crook Hall & Gardens celebrates Easter with a family event featuring an Easter Bunny, an egg hunt, various traditional games and plenty of un-hidden eggs for the kids to decorate.

Beamish

3 Nov 2008 - 3 Apr 2009; not Mon or Fri (various dates)

History comes to life at the Beamish open-air museum, where visitors can explore traditional houses, farms and shops, all painstakingly restored and brought to life by actors in period costume.

1913 Military Camp

Jun 2009 (annual)

The Beamish Open Air Museum gets into the wartime spirit by calling for all the "Soldiers of the King!" to assemble. If you hurry along to The Colliery Village, you get to enlist, fill out Attestation Forms and even earn the King's Shilling.

Durham Folk Party

Jul 2009 (annual)

Dance teams from far and wide descend for three days of music, dance and song at the annual Folk Party, held mainly at Durham's Rowing Club. Visitors can catch entertainment on the streets or get more involved at a ceilidh.

Horse Ploughing Match

Aug 2009 (annual)

Ploughmen from all over the country compete in the annual Beamish Ploughing Match at the Beamish Open Air Museum.

Art in the Garden

Jul - Aug 2009 (annual)

Every summer Crook Hall's beautiful gardens are given over to artworks by innovative contemporary artists from the north of England.

Prize Leek Show & Harvest Festival

Sep 2009 (annual)

The reconstructed Colliery Village at the Beamish open-air museum hosts the traditional Prize Leek Show each year, featuring produce from local gardeners and the Beamish estate. The finest is auctioned off after a Harvest Festival in the chapel.

Rhythm & Brews Festival

Sep 2009 (annual)

The wittily-titled Rhythm & Brews Festival appeals to fans of both great music and authentic beer. In addition to the music at the Darlington Arts Centre, the festival culminates in a free open-air concert on Darlington Market Square.

Classic Car Day

Sep 2009 (annual)

A cavalcade of almost 200 splendid cars, from the 1920s to the 1970s, travel to Beamish for Classic Car Day, the largest gathering of collector's cars in the region. Shining representatives of motoring history (Daimler, Morris, Riley...) are on display.

The Bowes Museum

Daily

Housed in a purpose-built Victorian building which opened in 1892, the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle is centred on John and Josephine Bowes' collection of European fine and decorative arts from the 15th century, one of the finest in Britain.

The Old Fulling Mill Museum

Daily

Durham's Old Fulling Mill now houses archaeological material, mostly from north-east England, but also from the Swiss Lakes, Ancient Greece and Rome. Historically, the collections reflect Durham University's academic interests and excavations.

Brick Train

Daily

Commissioned in 1994 by Darlington Borough Council, David Mach's extraordinary life-size brick model of one of Sir Nigel Gresley's distinctive A4 class locomotives is the largest contemporary public sculpture in Britain.

South Park

Daily

Originally known as Bellasses Park, then later the People's Park, Darlington's South Park covers an impressive 26 hectares, and gets its current name from the simple fact that it is south of the town centre. It has recently undergone a £4 million restoration and refurbishment to secure its place at the heart of the town's recreational facilities.

Durham Castle

Daily

Given UNESCO World Heritage status in 1986 to share with Durham Cathedral, Durham's castle is one of the few English buildings to have been continuously inhabited for over 900 years. It is a medley of architectural styles and together both buildings dominate the city centre of this ancient market town.

University of Durham Botanic Garden

Daily

The University of Durham Botanic Garden, all 18 acres of it, is set in mature woodland with plenty of exotic trees from America and the Himalayas.

Darlington Arts Centre & Civic Theatre

Daily

Darlington's joint centres for the visual and performing arts are housed in Victorian and Edwardian buildings, linking the past to the present under one organisational umbrella. Together the Darlington Arts Centre and Darlington Civic Theatre provide a year-round programme of art exhibitions, theatre, musicals, films, dance and performing arts.

Durham Light Infantry Museum

Daily

Set in superb landscaped grounds, the Durham Light Infantry Museum tells the story of County Durham's regiment from 1758 to 1968, with particular emphasis on both world wars.

The Oriental Museum

Daily

The Oriental Museum is the only museum of its kind in the United Kingdom, entirely devoted to art and archaeology from cultures throughout the Orient. The term Oriental is used as it was in the 19th century, to describe the civilisations of Asia and the Near East and the Islamic cultures of North Africa. The collections range from prehistoric Egypt and China to the work of living artists.

Durham Cathedral

Daily

Described by Bill Bryson as "the best cathedral on planet Earth", Durham's towering West Front and soaring Romanesque nave occupies a site of worship that dates back 900 years. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site in conjunction with Durham Castle, the cathedral is the final resting place of the 7th-century St Cuthbert, founder of Lindisfarne monastery and of Bede, his superb chronicler. It is a site of deep spiritual, world architectural and national historical significance.

Darlington Railway Centre & Museum

Daily

On the route of the original Stockton & Darlington Railway - the world's first steam-worked public railway - the Darlington Railway Centre & Museum celebrates the famous and evocative age of steam. Fashioned from three significant Stockton & Darlington Railway buildings dating from the 1830s-1850s - the North Road Passenger Station, the Goods Shed and Hopetown Carriage Works - it is devoted to the unique history of railways in and around Darlington.

No monthly events available.

Wolsingham and Wear Valley Agricultural Show

Sep 2009 (annual)

Wolsingham claims to hold the oldest agricultural show in England, at Scotch Isle Farm. It has everything you would expect to find at a country fair, with livestock displays and competitions, agricultural equipment, craft marquees and children's entertainment.

Twenty20 Cup: North Zone

Jun 2009 (annual)

Twenty20 has brought a new generation of fans to English cricket, and the Twenty20 Cup is expected to fill grounds across the country this summer.

Twenty20 Cup: Durham Dynamos

Jun 2009 (annual)

Twenty20 has brought a new generation of fans to English cricket. Durham Dynamos play their home games at the County Ground in Chester-Le-Street.

Rhythm & Brews Festival

Sep 2009 (annual)

The wittily-titled Rhythm & Brews Festival appeals to fans of both great music and authentic beer. In addition to the music at the Darlington Arts Centre, the festival culminates in a free open-air concert on Darlington Market Square.

Prize Leek Show & Harvest Festival

Sep 2009 (annual)

The reconstructed Colliery Village at the Beamish open-air museum hosts the traditional Prize Leek Show each year, featuring produce from local gardeners and the Beamish estate. The finest is auctioned off after a Harvest Festival in the chapel.

Potato Day

Feb 2009 (annual)

Discover all the secrets of the delicious and versatile tuber at Bowburn's very own Potato Day, held in Bowburn Community Centre.

Napoleonic Muster

Aug 2009 (annual)

The Beamish Open Air Museum hosts a recreation of a Napoleonic recruiting muster in the splendid setting of its 1825 exhibit, Pockerley Manor. The event is wholeheartedly re-enacted by the 68th Regiment of the Light Infantry, in full battle dress.

Military Vehicle Rally

Aug 2009 (annual)

The North East Military Club held its first rally at the DLI Museum in 1973. From those few jeeps and enthusiastic owners, the Military Vehicle Rally has grown into one of the North East's major annual Bank Holiday events.

Horse Ploughing Match

Aug 2009 (annual)

Ploughmen from all over the country compete in the annual Beamish Ploughing Match at the Beamish Open Air Museum.

Durham Regatta

Jun 2009 (annual)

The River Wear in Durham fills with boats for the city's annual regatta, incorporating the running of the Grand Challenge Cup, the most prestigious event of the weekend.

Durham Folk Party

Jul 2009 (annual)

Dance teams from far and wide descend for three days of music, dance and song at the annual Folk Party, held mainly at Durham's Rowing Club. Visitors can catch entertainment on the streets or get more involved at a ceilidh.

Durham Brass Festival

Jul 2009 (annual)

Durham Brass Festival offers everything from traditional brass bands, Latin, Caribbean and African music to contemporary jazz at venues all over town. The festival always emphasises the premièring and commissioning of new work.

Durham Book Festival

Oct 2009 (annual)

Being revitalised and relaunched in 2008 as the Durham Book Festival, the former Durham Literature Festival hosts authors, poets and writers during 11 days of events across a number of venues, including the Gala Theatre.

Durham Bonfire Night

Nov 2009 (annual)

The Aykley Heads Police Headquarters organise the annual Guy Fawkes celebrations in Durham, featuring fireworks and a bonfire. Refreshments are available and there's ample parking at County Hall.

Darlington Fireworks Spectacular

Nov 2009 (annual)

Held in South Park, the free Darlington Fireworks Spectacular with music and laser accompaniment attracts thousands of people every year. As well as the massive bonfire there are children's fairground rides and a radio roadshow.

Crook Hall Easter

Mar 2009 (annual)

Every year, Crook Hall & Gardens celebrates Easter with a family event featuring an Easter Bunny, an egg hunt, various traditional games and plenty of un-hidden eggs for the kids to decorate.

Classic Car Day

Sep 2009 (annual)

A cavalcade of almost 200 splendid cars, from the 1920s to the 1970s, travel to Beamish for Classic Car Day, the largest gathering of collector's cars in the region. Shining representatives of motoring history (Daimler, Morris, Riley...) are on display.

Art in the Garden

Jul - Aug 2009 (annual)

Every summer Crook Hall's beautiful gardens are given over to artworks by innovative contemporary artists from the north of England.

Apple & Pear Sunday

Sep 2009 (annual)

At the end of every summer Crook Hall's orchard is opened to hungry apple and pear fans for a help-themselves harvest (subject to availability, of course). On this day, the picking is free!

1913 Military Camp

Jun 2009 (annual)

The Beamish Open Air Museum gets into the wartime spirit by calling for all the "Soldiers of the King!" to assemble. If you hurry along to The Colliery Village, you get to enlist, fill out Attestation Forms and even earn the King's Shilling.

No biennial events available.