What a fabulous fun day out for both adults and children alike /I’ll also add it’s a cheap family day out
Aqualu
Place rating: 4 Durham, United Kingdom
I really enjoy wandering around the botanic gardens. It’s a terrific place for an aimless amble, and can be turned to all sorts of entertainment with a bit of thought-I took my kids with a model dalek once and had a very happy afternoon taking silly photos of a dalek invasion. The greenhouses are my favourite bit, particularly the tropical part where you can activate the water sprayer. There is a bird hide and woodland areas also. The café is worth a visit. Plant sales are also available.
Sky_ri
Place rating: 4 Durham, United Kingdom
Beautiful gardens and so peaceful! There is a wide array of plants to see in the outdoor gardens, with even more in the greenhouses. There is a wooded area and water features, a Japanese garden, a rockery and numerous grass areas where children can play or you can picnic in the summer months. There is even a picnic area with benches and tables. Perhaps during the winter months though it would be better to visit the café for nourishment. The prices are pretty reasonable, but their food is pretty basic, nice though. There’s a gift shop with nice cards and things.
Wooti
Place rating: 4 Durham, United Kingdom
They offer yearly memberships here but they run from Jan — Jan so if you go along later in the year they don’t offer such good value. A family ticket for the year works out very good value though. The indoor tropical area is a big hit with my children, as are the butterflies flying free in the greenhouse.
Cazzzi
Place rating: 3 Consett, United Kingdom
Gorgeous place to go and see. would recommend. £4 each to get in which is very reasonable. If your a Durham University student you get in for free. We went when it was winter so the plants were dying off but still nice to walk around, a big walking area which was refreshing on a cold day but I expect would be better on a hot day. They have a big greenhouse with interesting plants and when you move through you will see insects and other plants. They have a little café as well if you want drinks or snacks, we didnt go in though so couldnt tell you how much it was. Free car park outside. They have a gift shop where you can buy some interesting things, a bit pricey though.