Some of the free entry places in England that you can visit without paying for a ticket – all you need is the knowledge

English Free Entry Attractions, Heritage Sites, Events,
Museums, Galleries. Listed by County.

Do Free Stuff in County Durham

Including Teesdale

There are free entry listings in County Durham

Map of the counties of England CLICK HERE

Ankers House
The Parish Centre, Church Chare
Chester-le-Street, Durham
County Durham, DH3 3QB

Easter-31 Oct, daily, except Sun, 1000-1530

Admission is free.

Tel: 0191 - 388 3295

MAP

Bowes Museum Grounds,
Newgate, Barnard Castle
County Durham, DL12 8NP

Extensive formal & informal gardens.

Picnic tables, also café, shop & toilets in the museum open free of charge.

Disabled: Wheelchair access, with assistance, to most of the grounds. WC adjacent to museum café.

Dogs allowed.

Free parking.

Admission free. Open at all times dawn to dusk.

Tel: 01833 690606

MAP

Bowlees Picnic Area & Gibson’s Cave,
Adjacent to Bowlees visitor Centre.

Bowlees (MAP) Off the B6277 - 3 miles (4.2km) NW of Middleton in Teesdale

Large stream-side picnic area with footpath to Gibson’s Cave.

There is a pleasant walk to Low Force (about 1 mile - 1.6km) though take care crossing the main road.

Ample parking.
Toilets.
Disabled persons: Wheelchair access to much of the site but not along the path to Gibson’s Cave due to steps. WC.

Ideal for picnics, paddling, playing games.

Dogs allowed.

Admission free. Open at all times.

Tel: 0191 383 3594

Cauldron Snout, Middleton-in-Teessdale (7miles),
County Durham

Water Fall, Place of interest

(MAP) B6277 to Langdon Beck; turn left for Cow Green Reservoir.

A cascade of falls, frothing down a total drop of 200 feet.
Park at the car park at Cow Green Reservoir.

OS Grid ref: 3815 - 5285

Walk 1½miles along a maintained path to the top of the falls. Wide moorland landscape.

Ideal picnic spot - Take warm clothes.

Families: Pushchairs can be wheeled on the path which runs parallel to the reservoir.

Admission free.

Open at all times.

Gaunless Valley Visitor Centre,
Butterknowle,
County Durham

In Butterknowle, next to the Stag's Head Inn.

MAP

The Visitor Centre lies in the Gaunless Valley, a landscape of agriculture and mining leaving a unique pattern of villages, fields, hedgerows, medieval coal mines, railways, Iron Age farms, smelt mills, packhorse trails and wagonways - 2,000 years of history.

Open April to September 1100 - 1500 daily.
October to March 1100 - 1500 Saturdays and Sundays only.

Admission free

For further information contact Barnard Castle Tourist Information Centre 01833 690909

Low Barns Nature Reserve and Visitor Centre
Witton-le-Wear, Bishop Auckland
County Durham

Originally a gravel extraction site, Low Barns is the Durham Wildlife Trust’s flagship reserve; a large wetland site which also contains mixed woodlands and grasslands. The site includes a nature trail, picnic area, butterfly garden, bird hides,(The bird life is particularly abundant, including kingfishers, redstarts, flycatchers, tufted ducks and herons.), pond-dipping areas and a wild bird-feeding station in winter. An observation tower provides views of the Reserve. The River Wear flows through the site adding to the diversity of habitats. A wide range of plants and animals are found here. You may get a glimpse of water vole, red fox, roe deer and possibly even otters!

Admission is free.

Tel: 01388 488 728
Fax: 01388 488 529
Visit Website

MAP

Lower Demesnes,
Barnard Castle, County Durham

Open, recreational area beside the river.

Large area of open ground with picnic tables and children’s play area.

Parking allowed.

Dogs allowed.

Vehicular access via Gray Lane at the bottom of The Bank.

Disabled persons: Wheelchair access - grass

Families: Good for picnics, ball games, flying kites. Good for sledging in winter.

Admission free.

Open at all times

Low Force Waterfalls,
B6277 3miles NW of Middleton in Teesdale

A picturesque, riverside area with rock pools and rapids.

A waymarked footpath through fields & woodland, across the Wynch Bridge & to the riverside (1 mile - 1.6km walk from the Bowlees picnic area and car park).

Disabled persons: Not accessible to wheelchairs due to uneven surfaces

Families: Not accessible to pushchairs due to uneven surfaces. Children will love the Wynch Bridge which sways & vibrates as you cross it.

Admission free. Open at all times.

Scar Top, Barnard Castle, County Durham

Central Barnard Castle

Recreation area next to the castle.

Paddling pool, young children’s play area, crazy golf, lawns & benches.

Disabled persons: Wheelchair access to most of the area.

Families: Good for picnics

No dogs allowed

Area open at all times (except crazy golf) - paddling pool is drained during the winter months.

There is a charge for crazy golf.

Shildon Railway Village
Soho Cottages, Shildon
County Durham, DL4 1PQ

From Sept 2004, 1 Sept-31 Oct, daily, 1000-1700, 1 Nov-31 Mar, Wed-Sun, 1000-1600.
Closed Easter, 25,26 Dec, 1 Jan.

Admission is free.

Tel: 01388 - 772000
Fax: 01388 - 777999
Send Email

Map of the counties of England CLICK HERE

Every effort has been made to make sure that the information contained in this Directory is accurate. Do be aware, however, that conditions of entry etc. can change at short notice and that telephone numbers and personalities may change also.

Free Entry Attractions, Heritage Sites,
Events, Museums or Galleries.

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