Things to do in Bishop Auckland.

[Chrysanthamum]

Hi we're hoping to visit this area. Can anyone recommend things to do for young children in fair and foul weather?

Hi there, we live nearby in Darlington. Don;t know much about Bishop Aukland but can tell you a few things round about...

Indoor softplay:
www.ruffntumble.co.uk

Ruff n tumble - week day mornings is toddler time...... Quite a good seuo for all ages. We like it, food can be expensive and very chipsish..

Train museum - quite fun, probably for younger kids www.darlington.gov.uk/Culture/headofsteam/welcome.htm

Dolhin centre in darlington has nice swimming pool, softplay other sporty stuff
www.darlington.gov.uk/Culture/DolphinCentre/

Lots of nic country side...

How old are your kids? WHen are you visiting? you could have a look at netmums local site and events type stuff

www.darlington.gov.uk/Generic/Events/events.htm

Thanks a lot mumble, v helpful information. Our sons are 7, 2 and 7 months. I'm sure we'll split up now and then so our 7yr old doesn't get too fed up with toddler stuff.
Are there any country parks you'd particularly recommend?
We visited York before with our 1st son and we'd love to go back but from what I remember it mightn't be fun with a big clunky double buggy in tow. Is Durham interesting with kids?.

The parkland at the Bishop's Palace is nice on a sunny day for a walk and picnic.

Durham University Botanic garden is very child friendly

Locomotion railway museum at Shildon (just outside Bishop) is great and free to get in

good soft play at darlington www.adventure-point.co.uk

a bit further but Preston Park museum in Stockton is fab; my two wanted to stay all day

Hardwick Park at sedgefield is another good (free) day out www.durham.gov.uk/hardwickpark

Thorpe Farm centre at Greta Bride, Barnard castle www.thorpefarm.co.uk

Raby Castle www.rabycastle.com

Bishop town hall often has special events for children (i.e plays, crafts puppets etc) www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk

Hamsterley Forest is great to wander round and explorer

Fulling mill and oriental museums have drop in activities for children www.dur.acuk/fulling.mill

Durham is a very beautiful city with cathedral (features in Harry potter films) and castle but bear in mind the streets tend to be cobbled, narrow in parts (and steep). Up towards the catherdral are a a few nice, interesting shops (Mugwump, Georgian windows) where you can have a rummage about for gorgeous stuff (not particulary child friendly due to size and stock but nice for you) Lovely walk along the riverside and you can admire the hulking students boating on the river!

Tweddle's farm is a must! My 2 dss love it but it's for all ages.

There are lots to do Teesside way, Stewart's park, preston hall (with park and butterfly world) Nature's world... to name but a few.

I'm from darlington too

Hi, I live in Bishop Auckland and can reccommend the Locomotion at Shildon. Been there this afternoon and this dcs (aged 4,6 and 13) had a great time. Bishops Park is good and there are a variety of indoor play centres locally too. If you plan to travel further a field there is diggerland near Durham and also Broom House Farm Adventure trail. There are lots of other child friendly farms around the area. Beamish is good too.