Serviced Apartments in County Durham

Discover the best activities and attractions County Durham has to offer, and find out what makes this city a vibrant and exciting place to live or visit.

Durham Cathedral
Durham Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an architectural masterpiece of Norman design, famous for its vaulted interior, the shrine of St Cuthbert and panoramic views from the cathedral tower. As the city’s cultural and spiritual heart, it draws significant tourism that supports local hotels, restaurants and guide services, and it hosts concerts, civic events and university ceremonies that keep the city calendar active year‑round. The cathedral’s education and outreach programmes (school visits, choral training and conservation volunteering) strengthen community ties and provide skills and employment linked to heritage conservation and visitor services. Its prominence also raises the profile of County Durham internationally, bringing repeat visitors who explore other local attractions.

Beamish — The Living Museum of the North
Beamish is an open‑air, living museum recreating life in North East England across the 19th and early 20th centuries, complete with costumed interpreters, period shops, transport and working industries. It’s a major regional employer and a hub for heritage crafts, conservation training and school education, offering apprenticeships and volunteer opportunities that keep traditional skills alive. Beamish attracts day‑trippers and families from across the UK and overseas, generating substantial local spend on accommodation, food and retail and supporting local suppliers (food producers, artisans). Its immersive approach and regular special events (steam fairs, vintage vehicle shows, seasonal programmes) make it uniquely engaging and a key tourism anchor for County Durham.

Raby Castle & Deer Park
Raby Castle is a well‑preserved medieval fortress set in extensive deer park and gardens near Staindrop; the estate hosts tours, weddings, seasonal events and a popular tearoom and gift shop. The castle and estate support rural employment (gardening, hospitality, estate management) and encourage local sourcing for events and catering, boosting nearby villages and businesses. As a photogenic historic venue, it attracts visitors for history, outdoor recreation and family days out, and its events programme (food festivals, Christmas markets, historical reenactments) drives off‑season tourism that benefits the wider local economy. The combination of formal gardens, ancient parkland and heritage architecture makes Raby a standout country attraction in County Durham.

Durham Market Place, North Road & Independent Food/Restaurant Scene
Durham’s central Market Place and the nearby North Road area form the city’s retail and dining heart, combining weekly markets, independent boutiques, cafes and a diverse restaurant scene showcasing local produce (including North East beef, seafood and craft breweries). The market and street traders provide affordable retail space for small businesses and artisans, fostering entrepreneurship and keeping money within the local economy. Restaurants and cafes contribute to the night‑time and cultural economy by serving visitors to the cathedral, university and festivals; food events and farmers’ markets also help promote County Durham’s food brands and producers. This cluster is popular for shopping, socialising and sampling regional cuisine, offering a lively complement to the city’s heritage attractions.

Lumiere Durham (Biennial Light Festival)
Lumiere Durham is a major contemporary light festival held in the city (typically every two years) that commissions international and UK artists to create spectacular public light installations across streets, cathedral precincts and public spaces. The event draws large, often overnight, audiences and significantly boosts hotel occupancy, restaurant trade and night‑time footfall, providing a sharp economic uplift for local hospitality and retail businesses. Beyond immediate economic benefits, Lumiere promotes community participation (volunteers, local artist commissions and outreach projects), enhances the city’s cultural reputation and encourages visitors to explore Durham’s historic sites in a fresh, creative context. Its dramatic, free‑to‑attend installations make it one of the county’s most distinctive and talked‑about cultural highlights.

Explore the diverse transport options available in County Durham, from efficient public transportation systems to convenient road networks. Whether you're commuting to work or exploring the city, this section will give you an overall look at the available transportation systems.

Public Transit System
- Bus network - Extensive local and regional bus services operated mainly by Go North East, Arriva North East and Stagecoach North East, linking towns and villages across County Durham and providing frequent services into Newcastle, Sunderland, Teesside and local urban centres.
- Rail network - Served by mainline and regional rail: East Coast Main Line stations (Durham, Darlington, Chester-le-Street, Newton Aycliffe) and Durham Coast and regional routes providing connections to Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, York and London; services are operated by providers such as LNER, Northern and TransPennine Express.
- Park & Ride and city bus hubs - Several park & ride sites and dedicated bus stops serving Durham city centre and university areas, improving access for commuters and reducing city centre congestion.
- Intercity coach services - National Express and other coach operators provide longer-distance links (e.g., to London and other major UK cities) from key towns such as Durham and Darlington.
- Community transport and demand-responsive services - Local voluntary and council-supported minibuses, community transport schemes and Dial-a-Ride services that cater for rural areas, older residents and people with mobility needs.
- Taxis and private hire - Licensed taxis, app-based private hire and local minibus hire options operate throughout the county for flexible point-to-point travel and group trips.
- Air links - Teesside International (formerly Durham Tees Valley) is the nearest local airport for some scheduled and charter services; Newcastle International Airport and Teesport are also accessible within reasonable drive times, offering domestic and international routes.

Major Highways
- A1(M) - Primary north–south motorway-standard route skirting the county; main arterial link between London, North East England and Scotland with junctions serving County Durham towns.
- A19 - Major dual-carriageway running north–south to the east of the county, providing a fast route to Teesside, Tyne & Wear and the Humber region.
- A66 - East–west trunk route across the north linking the county to the A1(M), the Pennines and Cumbria (important for trans-Pennine freight and leisure traffic).
- A167 - Important regional route through Durham city and linking to Darlington and Newcastle; carries significant local and commuter traffic.
- A690 - Key link between Durham city and Sunderland/Newcastle corridor, important for commuter journeys and local access.
- A68 - North–south route providing connections from the Darlington/Bishop Auckland area towards Northumberland and the Scottish border.
- A689 - East–west route serving central County Durham, linking towns such as Bishop Auckland, Willington and areas towards Cumbria.
- A693 / A691 - Important local routes connecting towns within County Durham (e.g., Consett, Stanley, Chester-le-Street) and linking into larger trunk roads.

Cycling Infrastructure
- Cycle lanes and routes - A growing network of on-road cycle lanes, signed quiet routes and off-road multi-user paths managed by Durham County Council and Sustrans, including sections of the National Cycle Network and converted former railway paths (e.g., Waskerley Way, Weardale-style trails); active travel funding has supported improvements to junctions, secure parking and quieter routes to encourage commuting and leisure cycling.

Recent and Upcoming Improvements
- Horden station reopening (2020) - A high-profile recent reopening on the Durham Coast line that restored rail access to communities that had been without a station for decades.
- A1(M) and major junction upgrades - Ongoing improvements and phased upgrades to sections of the A1/A1(M) and nearby junctions, reducing congestion and improving north–south journey times.
- A19 and local corridor upgrades - Targeted improvements to the A19 and connecting junctions to improve capacity, safety and freight flow around Teesside and southern County Durham.
- Rail service and station enhancements - Investment in rolling stock, station accessibility improvements and timetable updates improving capacity, frequency and accessibility on regional routes serving County Durham.
- Active travel and cycling funding - Central government and council-funded projects expanding cycle lanes, pedestrian schemes, segregated routes and safer junctions in urban areas (including Durham city) to promote walking and cycling for short commutes.
- Bus priority and Park & Ride enhancements - Local schemes to improve bus reliability through priority lanes, improved interchange points and enhancements to Park & Ride facilities to shift commuters out of city centres.
- Restoring Your Railway and reopening proposals - Feasibility studies, bids and local campaigns (including interest in the Leamside corridor and improved links to Bishop Auckland and other towns) that, if progressed, could deliver new or reinstated passenger services in the medium term.
- Electric vehicle and low-emission infrastructure - Expansion of public EV charging networks and low-emission vehicle initiatives across council car parks and transport hubs to support decarbonisation of road travel.
- Airport and freight connectivity projects - Investment and proposals affecting Teesside International and port/road freight links that aim to improve air connectivity and logistics links for the county region.

In County Durham, finding the right furnished rental apartment for short term or long term rental can be challenging - especially with affordable rates all year round in County Durham. That is where we help companies find the right serviced apartment to stay when working away from home. Our accommodation offers you the perfect self-catering, furnished rental properties in central County Durham and easy-access locations nearby. Whether it be one week, one month or one year, we have flexible terms to suit you.