Historic Durham City is 15 miles away, with it's magnificent cathedral and castle which was for 800 years the home of the Prince Bishops, it also now boasts a beautiful new shopping centre if you are a shopaholic!

High Force is a spectacular waterfall in upper Teesdale, about 20 miles away. The highest waterfall in England, it makes for a lovely walk and spectacular photo oppurtunities at the end.

The Bowes Museum is around 12 miles away, a grande French style chateau housing a spectacular collection of fine and decorative arts, educational, inspirational, and worth the visit on it's own is the worldwide famed "Bowes Silver Swan", which has to be seen to be believed - if you have children this will enchant them!

Killhope lead mining centre is around 18 miles away, with it's 34 foot mill wheel. Find out how the old victorian lead miners worked and lived. Our very own dales ponies history is entwined with the lead mining industry - dales ponies were originally devloped to carry lead from the mines.

Beamish Museum is around 20 miles away, this huge open air museum is a real glimpse into the Northern England industrial age, all brought to life by entertaining characters who bring a wonderful insight to how life was, get a chance to interact with the miners, village shop keeper and ride on one of the trams or omnibuses, watch the huge gentle giant shire horses being groomed or harnessed up and go down a real drift mine.

Barnard Castle is both a picturesque town and the castle that towers over it - a wonderful place for an afternoon's shopping, close to the Bowes museum mentioned above - a historic market town, full of character, situated about 12 miles from Hamsterley.

Raby castle is undoubtedly one of the finest mediaevel castles in Britain, still occupied but most afternoons the family allow visitors to explore the wonderful contents of the castle.

Gateshead Metro Centre is around 22 miles away, towards Newcastle, the largest indoor shopping centre in Europe, complete with cinema, bowling alley, indoor children's fun park, and an endless selection of shops to cater for everyone, you'll never get round it in a day, but it's perfect if you need to buy someone a present - there's almost nothing you can't buy there, but be sure to get a map before you set off!