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PREVIEW: Know Before You Go...

Posted on July 27th 2020 by Whats on Northeast

From This is Durham website.

Many of our tourism and hospitality businesses are now starting to re-open and we are looking forward to welcoming you back to Durham.  Businesses across the county have been busy undertaking risk assessments and preparing their premises to ensure that they can welcome you back safely.

Things may look a little different to normal during your visit as lockdown restrictions continue to ease, and businesses prepare their premises to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable visit to Durham. We would encourage you to plan ahead and know before you go.  Please check opening times, facilities available and whether you need to pre-book in advance of your visit.

The health and safety of Durham’s visitors and residents is important to us, and we will continue to regularly share ongoing advice related to the coronavirus outbreak on our website and through our social media channels.

We look forward to welcoming you back soon.

Know before you go

Our top tip for visiting Durham this summer is to ‘know before you go’! With many attractions, accommodation and businesses operating differently as lockdown eases, it’s important to plan ahead to ensure your trip is as safe and enjoyable as possible.

We advise all visitors to check directly with businesses for opening times, and what facilities including car parking, toilets etc are available before you travel.

Check out our latest blog, packed with top tips on exploring Durham.

We’re good to go

VisitEngland have launched a UK-wide ‘Good to Go’ industry standard to reassure visitors they are ready to welcome you safely.

Many businesses across Durham have signed up to the scheme demonstrating that they are adhering to Government and Public Health guidance and have carried out a Covid-19 risk assessment, indicating they have clear processes in place to ensure you have a safe visit.
The AA have also launched a Covid Confident accreditation scheme indicating to customers that businesses have in place the necessary risk assessment and measures to re-open safely in line with the respective government guidelines.

Keep an eye out for those symbols whenever you are looking for places to stay and things to do.

View Durham businesses that have signed up to the ‘We’re Good to Go’ standard and AA Covid Confident accreditation

Confirmed re-opening dates

Many of the county’s tourism businesses have started to re-open, with more scheduled to open in the coming weeks and months. Below are details of future confirmed re-opening dates that we are aware of, this list will be updated regularly.

• Beamish, the Living Museum of the North – the museum will re-open on 23 July.
• Bowlees Visitor Centre – car park remains open, however visitor centre and toilets remains closed.
• Dalton Park outlet shopping centre – now re-open with clear social distancing measures in place. Open daily 10am – 5pm.
• Durham Cathedral – public worship to resume inside cathedral from 19 July. All other facilities including toilets, restaurant, and museum remain closed.
• Durham County Council Parks, including Wharton Park, Hardwick Park and Chester-le-Street Riverside Park – all parks remain open, however lay areas are closed.
• Hamsterley Forest – now re-open, however information desk and play areas remain closed, and on-site café offering takeaway only.
• Headam Hall – hotel will re-open on 1 August, the golf course is now open, however spa facilities remain closed until further notice.
• High Force Hotel and Waterfall – hotel is now re-open and High Force Waterfall is open daily 10am – 4pm.
• Hotel Indigo – hotel is re-open and accepting bookings for guest stays. Food and beverage outlets will remain closed until further notice, but room service will be available.
• Raby Castle – Castle is open Wednesday – Sunday 11am – 4pm. The Deer Park, Walled Gardens and Woodland Play Area are open daily from 10am – 4pm.
• Radisson Blu Durham – hotel will re-open Monday 20 July 2020, all other facilities closed temporarily.
• Rockliffe Hall – hotel, restaurants and golf course are now open, however the spa will remain closed.
• Locomotion – museum to re-open Tuesday 28 July.
• Seaham Hall – hotel is now open, The Dining Room is open for afternoon tea and dinner. The Ozone restaurant and spa will remain closed until further notice.
• The Auckland Project – All attractions closed temporarily, however Auckland Castle’s Deer Park remains open.
• The Bowes Museum – museum will re-open on 1 August. Park and grounds are open daily 10.30am – 4.45pm.
• The Rose and Crown – the hotel will re-open on Saturday 1 August.
• Waterside Parks and Reservoirs – all parks and reservoirs including Derwent Waterside Park are now open.

Please check directly with the business you are planning on visiting for opening times and further information before traveling.

Respect, Protect and Enjoy

Durham is blessed with a beautiful coast and countryside, filled with miles of walking and cycle paths for you to enjoy.

When out and about, we are asking all our visitors to please #lovedurham safely and follow the countryside code whilst out enjoying Durham’s great outdoors.

If you plan on visiting the outdoors please plan ahead by checking directly with businesses for opening times, and what facilities (including car parking) are available.

Certain locations may be busier than others, so why not consider visiting another part of county? Durham has plenty of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

https://www.thisisdurham.com/covid-19

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