Things to do around Durham City

Conference Dinner

The conference dinner will be held on Wednesday at Durham Castle.

Organised Wednesday Afternoon Activities

We have planned some optional activities for Wednesday afternoon. If you're interested in joining one of these activities, sign up sheets will be available at the registration desk. Alternatively, there are further suggestions below that you can explore in your own time.
Option 1: Botanic Gardens (everyone has been given an entry pass in your conference pack)
Option 2: Oriental Museum (everyone has been given an entry pass in your conference pack)
Option 3: Cathedral and Durham Castle. The Cathedral is free entry, and has recently undergone restoration work. There are fabulous views if you want to climb the 325 steps to the top. Durham Castle have a special self-guided tour day. Tickets can be purchased at the Palace Green Library (by the Castle, on the green). Last admission to the Castle will be at 3:30pm. For prices, see this website.
Option 4: If weather permits, we'll organise a 5-mile circular walk into the countryside. If you're keen to hike regardless of the weather conditions, here is a map with a 5 mile walk, and here is a map with a shorter walk.

Activities with kids

Freeman's Quay Leisure Centre
Close to both the Radisson and the Premier Inn, Freeman's Quay has an excellent public swimming pool and gym facilities. Get the pool timetable and prices here.
Freeman’s Quay, Walkergate, Durham City, DH1 1SW
Tel: 03000 268 488
Location
Approx walk from OCW: 20 mins; Town: 5 mins.
Durham Climbing Centre
Indoor climbing centre featuring bouldering style climbing (i.e. relatively short climbs with crash mats and no ropes) catering to a wide range of abilities. A couple of miles out of town, so transport is needed.
Parent and toddler sessions weekdays (£5 for a climb & a cuppa) 11am-midday.
Regular buses from Durham bus station (journey time 5-10mins).
St John's Road, Meadowfield Ind. Estate, Durham, DH7 8TZ
Tel: +44 191 378 9555
Durham University Botanic Gardens
Cafe, large gardens for running off some energy, a shallow pool with fountains for splashing in, indoor rain-forest & cactus desert, and creepy crawly tanks. Young children love this place.
Open 10am-4pm. Free entry with conference pack.
Deerness & South Durham Baby Gyms
Open play sessions for Under-5's with gymnastics equipment at Ushaw Moor and Spennymoor based gymnastics centres. A 10 min and 20 min bus 'adventure' away respectively. Ask us for advice on buses.
Museums in Newcastle (and Gateshead)
There's an excellent range of museums in Newcastle which have a strong child-centric focus. Here's a useful list to check out:
Centre for Life:
Science museum round the corner from the train station with a focus on interactive child-friendly scientific experimenting.
Seven Stories:
National Centre for Childrens Books. Dress-up and stories. Check the website for how to get there.
Museums in Newcastle (and Gateshead)
Great North (Hancock) Museum
A natural history-type museum with a planetarium.
Discovery Museum:
A science & local history museum.
The Baltic:
Art gallery with an Arts & Crafts section for the kids.
The Oriental Museum:
From Ancient Egypt to modern China - this is the only museum in the North of England devoted entirely to the art and archaeology of the great cultures of Northern Africa and Asia. This is just a short 5 min walk from the conference venue.

Pubs

There are plenty of pubs around Durham catering to a wide range of tastes. Here is a short list of the more traditional style pubs where you can typically get a good range of traditional-style British ales as well as a variety of Scotch whiskies to aid in the evening's scientific debates.

Victoria Inn
A department favourite, chances are if you've ever visited you'll already be familiar with the Vic.
86 Hallgarth St, Durham, DH1 3AS
Tel: +44 191 386 5269
Location
Approx walk to OCW: 10 mins; Town: 10 mins.
Dun Cow Inn
37 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HN
Tel: +44 191 386 9219
Location
Approx walk to OCW: 20 mins; Town: 5 mins.
Ye Olde Elm Tree
Usually holds an open folk night on Tuesdays where locals (including the occasional member of the astronomy dept) hold a communal jamboree. Serves food.
12 Crossgate, Durham, DH1 4PS
Tel: +44 191 386 4621
Location
Approx walk to OCW: 25 mins; Town: 10 mins.
Seven Stars Inn
Bit of a walk out of town, but can be incorporated into a stroll along the river banks. Serves food.
High Street North, Shincliffe, Durham, DH1 2NU
Tel: +44 191 384 8454
Location
Approx walk to OCW: 25 mins; Town: 35 mins.

Indoor Sports

Freeman's Quay Leisure Centre
Close to both the Radisson and the Premier Inn, Freeman's Quay has an excellent public swimming pool and gym facilities. Get the pool timetable and prices here.
Freeman’s Quay, Walkergate, Durham City, DH1 1SW
Tel: 03000 268 488
Location
Approx walk from OCW: 20 mins; Town: 5 mins.
Durham Climbing Centre
Indoor climbing centre featuring bouldering style climbing (i.e. relatively short climbs with crash mats and no ropes) catering to a wide range of abilities. A couple of miles out of town, so transport is needed.
Regular buses from Durham bus station (journey time 5-10mins).
St John's Road, Meadowfield Ind. Estate, Durham, DH7 8TZ
Tel: +44 191 378 9555

Getting out in the Durham Countryside

Durham has a wealth of gentle countryside surrounding the City, which makes a great setting for exploring, both walking and running. A good start is usually to follow the river bank paths, but if you'd like any suggestions, speak to one of the locals.