3 days in County Durham
3 days For everyone Built from visitor-rated places
Three days, six places, and a route that lets the driving do the work rather than the other way round. Day one is deliberately gentle: Kirkby Fleetham Hall, then just 4.2 miles on to South Cowton Castle, which leaves the afternoon unhurried. Day two is the big stretch — 39.9 miles north to Prudhoe Castle — but it pays you back with Cherryburn, the Thomas Bewick Museum, a mere 1.1 miles further on and with stated disabled access.
Day three swings 38.4 miles back south to Sockburn Hall, finishing 7 miles away at Tees Cottage Pumping Station. Arriving by train? Bishop Auckland is the nearest station to County Durham, and Etherley Dene Farmhouse sits just 1 mile from it, sleeps 19 and has EV charging nearby. Smaller party? The Cottage at Hexham sleeps 4, 2.1 miles from Stocksfield station and handy for the Prudhoe day.
📬 Email me this plan
Get this 3-day itinerary in your inbox to share or read on the way. No account needed.
Day 1
An easy opener: start at Kirkby Fleetham Hall with its stately-home grandeur, then cover the 4.2 miles to South Cowton Castle at a walking-speed sort of pace. With so little driving, you can linger over lunch between the two without watching the clock.
Day 2
Today's the long haul — 39.9 miles north to Prudhoe Castle — so set off early and treat the drive as part of the day. Cherryburn, the Thomas Bewick Museum, is only 1.1 miles on and states disabled access, making it a comfortable second stop; staying at The Cottage in Hexham puts you 2.1 miles from Stocksfield station and right on the doorstep.
Day 3
Head 38.4 miles back south to Sockburn Hall for a quiet morning, then 7 miles to Tees Cottage Pumping Station and its Gas Engine House for the finish. If you're training home, Bishop Auckland is the nearest station to County Durham — and Etherley Dene Farmhouse sits 1 mile from it.
🛏️ Where to base yourself
Stays in County Durham that put this whole plan within easy reach.
🎪 What's on in County Durham
Events from
Skiddle
Fri 13 Nov · 12:00
Newcastle Audio Tour: A Journey Through Time and Trade
The Tyne Bridge, Newcastle · 19.4 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Fri 13 Nov · 19:00
Dine & Dance - Fame, Footloose & Saturday Night Fever
The Purple Peacock Newcastle, Newcastle Upon Tyne · 19.6 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Fri 13 Nov · 19:00
Absolute Amy
Newgate Social, Newcastle Upon Tyne · 19.6 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
Fri 13 Nov · 19:00
30s & 40s Singles Night at Harry's Newcastle| Love at First...
Harry's Bar, Newcastle · 19.6 mi
Tickets on Skiddle ↗
🗺️ Getting to County Durham
Plan the drive with service stations, food stops and fuel or charging costs along the way.
Plan my journey →🚆 Or come by train
- Bishop Auckland 4.1 miles
- Shildon 6.8 miles
- Durham 8.7 miles
Straight-line distances · live departures on each station page