Celebrating the moments that have mattered 

As part of the county’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2025, people were invited to share their special memories of Durham from the last 12 months.

Living through lockdowns has emphasised just how important cultural venues, attractions and landscapes are to communities, and how people have reconnected with their local area.

So whether it was watching the sunrise over the county’s spectacular coast, marvelling at Lumiere’s spectacular light installations, or singing along at a live gig for the first time in months – view some of the memorable moments below.

The Witham Community Arts Centre in Barnard Castle ran outside lunchtime entertainments during lockdown. One performance was by the youth band Cream Tees. In one piece a player chose to sit on the grass, a move that attracted the attention of an appreciative member of the audience. [By Peter Redgrave]

I make low budget short horror films in County Durham and the past 12 months have been a roller coaster with Covid, but in December, Darkus Magazine picked me as the North East Creative of the Year. I will continue to make short films during 2022. All my films will continue to be shot in Durham. [By Dean Maynard]

My daughter and I run a small family business growing cut flowers in a walled garden near Lanchester, which we rent. During the pandemic our business, growing flowers for weddings, was shredded. This was the day in late April 2021 when we found out weddings were back on and we knew we'd be OK. [By Caroline Beck]

Good parenting. The River Tees was full and the Low Force waterfalls are a magnet for Kayakers. Dad and daughter were having fun. Dad showed how it's done and 14 year old daughter bravely followed. Mum who was watching was having kittens. All was well. [By Peter Redgrave]

Autumn 2021. It was a 'normal' Sunday, it was cold and frosty but sunny and me and my Husband walked around the cathedral ending at Riverview kitchen; we had pancakes and Pepperoni (our sausage dog) had his own plate of bacon and as we went home I realised how long it had been, since I felt 'normal'. [By Rebecca Jameson]

Bowes Museum memory- I remember the silver swan having a coin slot to make it work. As a child I begged my parents for more money to play the swan. I spent three months pocket money but it was worth it. I still love to see it go through the action and eat the fish. [By Amanda Hepburn]

Many hours spent with my nephews for many years, love visiting and having family fun together, it was so lovely to go back when Covid restrictions were eased. [By Jo Mackay]

The moon reflecting the water at Raby Castle as the lights on the castle played tricks with your mind. [By Helen Avery]

Beautiful river walks to keep us sane. [By Carly Hitch]

When our son was diagnosed with leukaemia in the summer he kept asking to go to beamish. We reached out to the beamish team who went out their way to make his 4th birthday memorable. We were able to enter the museum before it opened to have a tour on the bus. Seeing our sons delight was everything. [By Jill Hall]

Beamish with my mam. Hot chocolate in the Sun Inn where my grandparents used to drink and have a sing song, then on to the leeholme community centre where mam attended in her teens and then took me as a toddler. Followed by a carousel ride and freshly fried fish & chips. Perfect day on the doorstep. [By Lynsey Fleming]

Being able to let my son experience some of the county's culture on a visit to Raby. [By Sarah]

Walking the 26 miles length of the first railway in the world from Witton Park Bishop Auckland to Stockton on Tees in the steps of my ancestor George Stephenson with a group of enthusiastic railway volunteers. October 13th 2021 was 200 years since Stephenson surveyed and walked the line in 1821. [By Helen Olney]

A winter visit with my in-laws, husband, youngest children and my auntie. My father-in-law is no longer with us and it is a very treasured memory. [By Andrea Gannaway]

Beamish museum! A day filled with educational fun ! Using all 5 senses. Eat,smell,hear,see and feel the history there! The staff just make you feel like family. [By Lisa Powell]

Winning Mrs Beamish museum during 1950’s weekend. [By Patricia Hart-Sayers]

Hallowe’en was spooktacular! [By Kathryn Perry]

Working with RT Projects in Durham on their Run To The Sun annual charity event. Lots of fun activities including a 24 hour artathon, helping Durham resident and professional musician Sam Slatcher write songs over 24 hours, dad dancing, keepy-ups, and all sorts of other activities. [By Adam Jenkins]

A lovely day with my daughter and my partner. I frequently visited Beamish when I was younger with my parents, it’s lovely to come back with my own daughter to share the experience and memories. Always a great day out and my daughter loves a visit to the sweet shop and a go on the helter skelter! [By Karen Chicken]

Watching Andy Aldrin, son of Buzz Aldrin talking about ‘me, my dad and the moon’ under the Luke Jerram art installation “Museum of the Moon” in the magnificent Durham Cathedral. [By Trevor Marshall]

My dance group & I were invited to create a joyful team-building activity using the Charleston for Durham Cathedral staff & volunteers in September 2021. This was the first time that staff & volunteers got together after lockdown. The event coincided with a preview of Museum of the Moon. [By Joo-Lee Lewis]

Watching ‘Blessing of the Plough’ with friends outside Durham Cathedral on a cold January day in 2022. [By Janet Hutchinson]

Working the Seaham Food Festival, where else would you get a view from the office like this? [By Lynsey Fleming]

3rd March 2019, Beamish museum, Our wedding day. My husband and I were married inside Beamish museum. The ceremony was held inside the school classroom, we were the first to be married here. We had our wedding breakfast in Davys fish shop, followed by the Sun inn pub, then over to the tea rooms. [By Annalise Walton]

This was my daughter meadow getting her hair done at the 1950s hair salon pre-opening event. [By Samantha Swales]

For me, it's sitting by the Band Stand in the Park at Beamish Open Air Museum with a fresh bag of sweets from the Jubilee Confectionary Co - enjoying the warmth of the sun, the peace & Quiet. A moment or three of "me time". Pure and simple Luxury! [By Max O'Donnell]

Seeing (and hearing) the living legend that is Nile Rodgers at Hardwick Live has to be my highlight. [By Alison McIntyre]

Spending Christmas at Beamish with ALL the family!! Magical! [By Diane Earl]

We love having Beamish on our doorstep. My little boys first time riding on a bus was at Beamish, he was so excited. We’ve spent many happy hours there during lockdown and beyond. [By Joanne Vest]

Beamish museum [By Tracey Mosley]

The moon in Durham Cathedral was spectacular. [By Charles Allen]

Driving to Durham City to deliver my first guided tour post-lockdown. The remarkable and reassuring view of Cathedral and Castle breaking the skyline. Anticipation of meeting a client group. The smiles in their eyes as they looked, listened and learnt. It all made my day. Durham delivers. [By Jan Williams, Blue Badge Guide]

Working in the Walled Garden at Auckland Castle during 2020 was a very proud & humble time. We filled the garden with as much vegetables as we could produce then distributed throughout the community each week-a project we continue to do today. [By Louise Murphy, Garden Supervisor, The Auckland Project]

Lumiere was Brilliant, it was fantastic to be back and taking part in communal creativity. [By Judith Gill]

My most memorable moments in Durham are the glorious and uplifting views of Durham Cathedral & the city from Observatory Hill & other hillsides around Durham (more details of these are in the 'Durham Seven Hills Trail'). Observatory Hill is the most special, a source of solace, space of sanctuary. [By Lucy Smout Szablewska]

Christmas at Beamish with the girls. That time of year when a visit to the amazing place that is Beamish starts to cement all the elements that make up Xmas. The smell of toasted marshmallows, the sound of the brass band, the sight of children laughing, oh and young children sharing Christmas lists. [By Stuart Fearn]

Watching the amazing performers at the Never Give Up Variety Show at the Durham Assembly Rooms. RTProjects & Music Durham joined forces to showcase an amazing array of talent to support the life-saving work of the Durham based charity. [By Simon Twigg]

My first visit to Tommy after lockdown restrictions were lifted, was enhanced by an incredible sunrise and a feeling of peace and hope. [By Gill Helps]