Directory of Free Stuff
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
(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.
Derwentcote Steel Furnace, Rowlands Gill,
near Consett, County Durham, NE39
1BA
Derwentcote Steel Furnace, built in 1720, is an example of an early cementation
furnace which produced high grade steel (MAP) is the oldest surviving example
of a cementation furnace, an early steel-making process, in the UK. Before Sheffield
gained its predominant role, the Derwent valley was the centre of the British
steel industry. This site is the only one left in the valley with significant
remains. Now a non-working furnace.
This site can be a particular focus for history, science, and geography students
to learn about the importance of the steel industry in the Industrial Revolution
and the reasons for its location in the Derwent valley.
 Managed by English Heritage this site is free to enter but dates and times
times are restricted to 1 April – 30 Sept open every Sunday 13.00 to 17.00
Other times can be arranged by appointment, though a fee may be payable.
Please call 0191 269 1200 for details.
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
Below this line, in the grey area, we are adding alternative days out to the free listings that DoFreeStuff is renowned for. This is to help you plan your family days out. The attractions listed below make a charge for admission!
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.
|
