Newcastle International Airport 48 min
Auckland Castle (24 min)
Deer, castle, painting, history, and garden Crook Hall and Gardens (28 min)
Stone manor house originally built in the 13th century, with picturesque English-style gardens. Preston Park Museum & Grounds (28 min)
Georgian mansion for exhibits on local life, a recreated Victorian street, with riverside grounds. Adventure Valley (35 min)
Kids' indoor and outdoor soft play areas, plus roller disco, crazy golf, farm animals and a cafe. Durham Castle (28 min)
College in an 11th-century castle offering a B&B with 2 plush suites, plus seasonal casual rooms. Oriental Museum (24 min)
Focusing on Asian art and culture, covering ancient Egypt to India, China and Japan. RSPB Saltholme (21 min)
Family-friendly wetlands with hides for birdwatching including a play area, cycle path and cafe. Head of Steam Darlington Railway Museum (28 min)
Museum of local rail history in restored 19th-century railway buildings, with antique steam engines. Durham Heritage Coast (27 min)
A walking path traces the line of this designated historic coast with its wild cliffs & dunes. Locomotion (25 min)
Part of the 2-venue biggest railway museum in the world, with locomotives and interactive displays. Hardwick Country Park (13 min)
Large park with several historic structures plus a visitor’s centre, river, lake & walking trails. Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (27 min)
Striking slate and limestone gallery housing modern art exhibitions, plus a roof terrace and cafe. National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool (27 min)
A preserved, tall-masted war frigate open for tours all year, plus a charter option. Botanic Garden (25 min)
10-hectare garden with plants from round the world, glasshouses, outdoor art and a visitor centre. Durham Cathedral (28 min)
Architecturally innovative Norman CofE cathedral with St Cuthbert's shrine and a treasury museum. | 
