What's to do around Darlington?

[enuff_zed]

My missus is planning a trip to Darlington 7/8 August. She is doing some sort of dog trailing thing as she's an instructor.
There is no way on this earth I'm spending two days hiding in a ditch waiting for some middle-aged woman and her cocker-poo to find me!
Any ideas of things I can find to do instead?
We will not have a Z4 with us and I'll need her to drop me off.
Interested in military museums, country walks, historical stuff, anything with nice scenery. NOT effin' dogs!!!

Alternative is I voluntarily contract covid. I have not discounted it as an option.

[Pondrew]

She is doing some sort of dog trailing thing

Is that not illegal? Or is this retribution by the fox hunting fraternity?

[Pondrew]

Interested in military museums, country walks, historical stuff, anything with nice scenery, quiet nights in and dinner with friends. GSOH and OH&C. Looking for friendship, maybe more!

There, now it's a proper lonely hearts ad. No, no....no thanks needed!

[B21]

Beamish Museum 30 mins away …very interesting and kind of spooky when you get to their 1965 section…

Peterlee Parachute Club…you could drop in

Yorkshire moors ..shock for a fen dweller

Yorkshire Dales more shocks for a fen dweller

Some pretty coastal villages

Mr Vanos

[ronk]

Beamish is worth a look, Durham Cathedral.
Then there's Newcastle a bit further on with the Turbina on display in the science museum which is close to the train station.

[Dave1971]

I was born in Darlington and although we moved away when I was younger I have spent quite a lot of the last 30 years living and drinking here.

Darlington is not a bad place but very limited on things to do. You are however on the East Coast mainline so that brings York, Durham and Newcastle within easy reach. Of the 3 I'd recommend York for things to see and do as there is a bit more variety, it just depends what you fancy.

If you enjoy a good walk you could get the train to Redcar and walk along the coast to Saltburn then get the train back to Darlington. Or just head directly to Saltburn and do a circular walk from there.

I'd offer to show you around but we're away on holiday that weekend.

[enuff_zed]

Thanks all for the inputs.
Was there a mad rush for last minute holidays when you heard I was heading up?
B21, your sense of humour is rapidly descending to my levels. But suggesting I jump out of a serviceable aircraft is a step too far!

[B21]

Thanks all for the inputs.
Was there a mad rush for last minute holidays when you heard I was heading up?
B21, your sense of humour is rapidly descending to my levels. But suggesting I jump out of a serviceable aircraft is a step too far!

Great view of the coast from 13,000 feet …normally you exit shuffling on your bottom..so no step too far..
I know the owners there so I’m sure we can squeeze you in…

Beamish is a great day out…you can easily spend a full day there..

Further afield as others suggested York..railway museum, Viking centre etc

[Dave1971]

Thanks all for the inputs.
Was there a mad rush for last minute holidays when you heard I was heading up?

This one is our annual surfing group trip to the Gower Peninsula in Wales. This will be our 3rd attempt, covid buggered up the last 2 .

[ronk]

As above - our trip to Schwarzwald to an annual Wein fest.

[Chippie]

There’s Eden camp modern history museum (2nd world war) that’s not far from York although is probably on hour and a half from Darlington which may be too far if you need dropping off and picking back up after.

[enuff_zed]

There’s Eden camp modern history museum (2nd world war) that’s not far from York although is probably on hour and a half from Darlington which may be too far if you need dropping off and picking back up after.

That's exactly the issue. SWMBO is off on a jolly for two days and thinks it'll be a lovely weekend break!
But I'll basically see her in the car there and back!
Apart from that I'm stuffed!
Contracting covid is starting to look like the favoured option.

[Chippie]

There’s Eden camp modern history museum (2nd world war) that’s not far from York although is probably on hour and a half from Darlington which may be too far if you need dropping off and picking back up after.

That's exactly the issue. SWMBO is off on a jolly for two days and thinks it'll be a lovely weekend break!
But I'll basically see her in the car there and back!
Apart from that I'm stuffed!
Contracting covid is starting to look like the favoured option.

Is there no way you can take 2 cars then you could also enjoy a few hours driving in the Zed , there’s some beautiful roads around there.

[enuff_zed]

There’s Eden camp modern history museum (2nd world war) that’s not far from York although is probably on hour and a half from Darlington which may be too far if you need dropping off and picking back up after.

That's exactly the issue. SWMBO is off on a jolly for two days and thinks it'll be a lovely weekend break!
But I'll basically see her in the car there and back!
Apart from that I'm stuffed!
Contracting covid is starting to look like the favoured option.

Is there no way you can take 2 cars then you could also enjoy a few hours driving in the Zed , there’s some beautiful roads around there.

Well I'm hoping someone is selling a cheap one up there and I'll have the ideal excuse to buy it, test drive it and bring it home.

[MikeyH]

I would recommend Paignton Zoo if you wanted to get far away but it is a bit of a long drive.