Wharton Park

Durham County Council secured £2.45 million from Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery, to undertak

Wharton Park is the main public park in Durham City, covering approximately 4.7 hectares. It was formerly under the ownership of William Lloyd Wharton as part of the extension of his grounds at Dryburn House in the mid-nineteenth century. It was he who financed and designed the original park layout made available to the people of Durham in 1857. The original park layout, as well as its most significant landscape features, are largely intact today and serve as a reminder of the role that the park has played in the social history of Durham City. The park is located just to the north of the city centre within the Durham City Centre Conservation Area. There are a number of listed structures within and around the park. There is a single Grade II listed structure, the belvedere or Battery, within the park and several listed buildings and structures around the park which have a significant relationship to it. After a restoration of the park, in May 2016, Wharton Park re-opened with a new heritage centre, café, outdoor fitness equipment, improvements to the play equipment and restoration works to the amphitheatre, miniature car track, putting green, battlements, footpaths, signs and entrance features. The ‘People’s Park’ of Durham City is fast becoming a destination in its own right with plans to assist in achieving and retaining Green Flag status and re-establishing itself as a venue for events, activities and live performances. In line with the original aims and objectives of William Wharton, this project will contribute to improving the health and fitness of the local community which is just as important today as it was 150 years ago.

22/01/2026

Have you ever considered a career in the outdoors? Do you love County Durham's Parks and Countryside? An apprenticeship with our Service might be a great solution for you. We have a vacancy currently available!

20/01/2026

Mini Makers: Birds and Bulbs
Wednesday 25 February 10am

Children can build it, make it, watch it grow! Helping wildlife through the cold weather and get ready to step into a Springtime full of colour. The first of the activities we would like to introduce that will be part of this workshop are bird feeders. 🐦

£12 per child. Tickets can be booked online by visiting our park events page https://events.durham.gov.uk/1/Home/List

19/01/2026

We are recruiting! 🎉

Apprentice Assistant Ranger

Are you interested in nature? Do you love engaging with local communities and want to make a real difference to County Durham's wildlife and biodiversity? Then a Countryside Ranger apprenticeship could be for you!

For all the details on how to apply please visit:
https://www.northeastjobs.org.uk/job/Apprentice_Assistant_Ranger/290865

15/01/2026

Our February Half Term events are now on sale with family events running across both Hardwick Park and Wharton Park.

Check out our flyer to see what's on offer, tickets can be booked online and can by visiting our park events page https://events.durham.gov.uk/1/Home/List

11/01/2026

Visitor notice: Today Sunday 11 January 2026 Wharton Park car park will remain closed due to snow and icy conditions. Pedestrian access to the park will remain open for visitors.

Please be aware the park cafe will not be open to the public on Sunday 11 January. Access to the toilets in the Heritage Centre will be open 10.00am - 4.30pm.

09/01/2026

The first school holiday of 2026 is February Half Term, 6 weeks away. Our first family event of the year at Wharton Park is Mini Makers which has a focus on Birds and Bulbs.

Children can build it, make it, watch it grow! Helping wildlife through the cold weather and get ready to step into a Springtime full of colour. Our mini makers will get busy creating colourful planters for spring bulbs and make bird feeders to help our feathered friends.

Tickets are on sale now and must be pre booked online by visiting and all materials are included. https://events.durham.gov.uk/1/Home/List

27/12/2025

Need to walk off all that Christmas food? 🚶‍♀️🚶
Need some fresh air?🌥️
Our 🎄Christmas Tree Trail 🎄 is the answer.
Explore the park, find all the Christmas trees and see which animals are hiding in the pictures.

Available until Sunday 4 January 2026. Purchase a trail sheet for £1 (cash only, correct change required) from the Cafe during opening hours Friday - Sunday 10.30am-3.30pm.
The Cafe will be open daily during the Durham school holidays from 19 December - Sunday 4 January closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

24/12/2025

Please note, our café will close an hour earlier today at 3pm and will re-open on Saturday 27th at 10am.
The café will then be open daily from 10am-4pm throughout the festive holidays, except for New Year's day.

22/12/2025

Are you still looking for that perfect Christmas gift? If you know someone who loves theatre why not book a ticket to see the HandleBards a four-strong troupe of actors who are bringing environmentally sustainable Shakespeare to Wharton Parks Amphitheatre Summer 2026.

Join the troupe for a fantastically funny bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare's 'As You Like It'.

What's the play about? Well - Rosalind and her cousin Celia flee to the Forest of Arden, where they bump into Rosalind's love interest Orlando. However, Rosalind is disguised as a young man. Cue some local Shepherds getting involved and the stage is set for a wild ride of wooing, hilarious mistaken identity, and the odd wrestling match.

Date: Thursday 13 August 2026
Time: 6.30pm to 8.30pm (doors from 5.30pm)

Tickets can be booked online by visiting https://www.handlebards.com/

20/12/2025

Now that school is out for the Christmas holidays why not have a winter walk to enjoy our trail - 🎄The Christmas Tree Trail 🎄
Find all 8 hidden tree pictures and discover which woodland animal is in each picture.

It will run until Sunday 4 January 2026. Purchase a trail sheet for £1 (cash only, correct change required) from the Cafe during opening hours Friday - Sunday 10.30am-3.30pm.
The Cafe will be open daily during the Durham school holidays from 19 December - Sunday 4 January closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

19/12/2025

What a busy Autumn Term we have had in our parks engaging so many children in nature and involving them in interative outdoor learning. There has hardly been a day this term without a school visiting us. It has been a pleasure to see so many children enjoying learning and being in nature.

Our Spring 2026 offer is avaliable now and the updated Summer 2026 offer will be available from January. Teachers take a look at our website and watch your inboxes for our flyers coming soon.
https://www.durham.gov.uk/outdoorlearning

Address

Durham City

Telephone

+443000262655

Website

http://www.durham.gov.uk/whartonpark

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