North east attraction dubbed 'best on earth' named top free day out in the uk

DURHAM CATHEDRAL HAS BEEN CROWNED IN A WHICH? SURVEY AS THE BEST HISTORICAL ATTRACTION IN THE COUNTRY WITH NO ENTRY FEE AND HAS A WEALTH OF FASCINATING SIGHTS WITHIN ITS WALLS 08:52, 02 Jun

2025 A North East attraction has been named as one of the top places to go for families looking for free summer holiday activities this year. Durham Cathedral was crowned as the best free

historical attraction to visit in a survey carried out by Which?, with thousands voting it as a favourite day out. First opening its doors in 1133, Durham Cathedral is steeped in centuries

of history, having begun life as a safe haven for the residents of Lindisfarne in the wake of Viking raids. With its spectacular setting towering above the River Wear, it was named in the

Which? survey as one of the few "great historic monuments" in the UK that has free entry even without a National Trust or English Heritage membership. The consumer experts at

Which? said of Durham Cathedral: "The highest-rated cathedral in our survey has been described by travel writer Bill Bryson as 'the best cathedral on planet Earth'. Visitors

under the age of 17 go free on guided climbs of the famous 325-step tower, but must be accompanied by an adult." Aside from the tower, highlights within the cathedral include the 12th

century Galilee Chapel, which as the resting place of St Bede remains a place of pilgrimage and worship today. Its walls are adorned with medieval paintings telling religious stories, while

in the north-east corner is the striking Stella Maris stained glass window. Durham's iconic cathedral and nearby castle were one of the first sites in the UK to be listed as a UNESCO

World Heritage Site, and as you take in the breathtaking medieval grandeur of these buildings, it's easy to see why they have earned such a status. Durham Cathedral welcomes visitors of

all ages to explore its centuries of history all the way up to modern day and its use as a filming location for the likes of the Harry Potter and Marvel Avengers franchises. WE HAVE A

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and events in and around the North East. Article continues below Entrance to the cathedral is free, with donations encouraged. Visitors can complete their free day out in Durham with a

picturesque walk along the banks of the River Wear, head over to the city's beautiful Wharton Park, or continue soaking up culture at the Oriental and Archaeology Museums nearby. Durham

Cathedral also plays host to paid concerts and events throughout the year, with performances coming up this summer including a series of candlelight shows celebrating the music of Whitney

Houston, U2, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, and iconic 80s anthems. Ella Henderson and the Boyzone and Westlife duo Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden are also set for live shows at the

Cathedral this year. In addition, tickets are now available to see three historic Manga Cartas in the Durham Cathedral Museum between July 11 and November 2. This gives visitors the

opportunity to see the only surviving 1216 issue and further engrossments from 1225 and 1300, along with three Forest Charters including one of only two surviving 1217 issues, and further

issues from 1225 and 1300. Article continues below For visitors who want to make a real adventure out of their visit to Durham Cathedral, the majority in a series of North East trails that

have been singled out by travel experts as among the best modern pilgrimages to make in the UK have their finishing point at the cathedral. The Northern Saints Trails are the perfect way to

explore historical highlights across the whole North East region - read more about them here. Durham Cathedral is just one of the free days out in the North East that has earned rave reviews

from visitors over on Tripadvisor - but there are plenty more attractions which deserve to be ranked among the best in the UK. Museums and art galleries are one of the top choices for a

rainy day, offering loads to see and do for all ages whether you want to delve into the region's Roman past, see some real dinosaur bones up close, or check out the work of local

artists. Other free favourites in the region include the Discovery Museum and the Great North Museum Hancock in Newcastle city centre, both of which are fascinating days out for families.

Check out the full list of top-rated attractions that don't cost a penny here.