Skip to Main

County Durham Discovery Pass

Unlock County Durham, One Visit at a Time

Photorealistic image of The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle with landscaped gardens, stone architecture and a bright blue sky.

Tap in. Explore more. Save locally.

Photo realistic view of Durham Cathedral overlooking the River Wear with historic stone towers, green woodland and a blue sky.
Photorealistic image of Beamish Museum with a vintage tram, cobbled street, historic shopfronts and blue sky.
Photorealistic image of Shildon Railway Museum with historic steam locomotives, railway tracks and red brick museum buildings.

Your NFC bracelet becomes your personal key to County Durham’s attractions, stories and local rewards. Tap in at participating destinations to unlock site information, exclusive discounts and nearby offers from local shops, cafés and restaurants.

The Smart Way To Expore
Colourful Durham Heritage Sites NFC smart wristbands displayed in adult and kids sizes with the DHS logo.

Your Key to County Durham’s Heritage

Wear your Durham Heritage Sites bracelet and unlock more as you explore. Tap in at participating attractions to reveal site information, exclusive discounts, family offers and nearby local rewards.

Get Your BraceletHow It Works

How It Works

Explore County Durham in Three Simple Steps

  • Step

    Get Your Bracelet

    Choose from bright adult and kids sizes and register your bracelet.

  • Step

    Visit Participating Locations

    Explore heritage sites, museums, attractions and local places across County Durham.

  • Step

    Tap to Unlock

    Tap your bracelet at each location to unlock site information, rewards, discounts and nearby offers.

Why Get One?

More Than a Bracelet
It’s Your Visitor Pass

Your bracelet unlocks the visit. The app unlocks the experience.

Unlock Each Destination

Tap your bracelet at participating locations to unlock that site on your account and build your personal County Durham discovery trail.

Access Extra Information

Use the app to discover detailed visitor information, local stories, historical facts and helpful content about each unlocked destination.

Discover Local Offers

The app highlights nearby discounts from cafés, restaurants, shops and local businesses, helping you save while exploring the area.

Simple Tap Technology

Register your bracelet, wear it when you visit, and tap at each destination to connect your visit with your digital account.

Made for Families

Available in bright colours and adult or kids sizes, making it easy for the whole family to take part.

Track Your Adventures

Keep a record of the places you have visited, the sites you have unlocked and the offers available around County Durham.

Tap Into Exclusive Offers Nearby

When you visit participating destinations, your bracelet can unlock more than attraction information. Discover discounts for cafés, restaurants, gift shops and local businesses close to where you are.

See Current Offers
Bowes Museum Gift Shop inside an elegant 18th-century French chateau with stone architecture, refined displays and museum gift items.The Engine Shed Toy Shop inside a converted locomotive shed with model railway displays, train sets, puzzles and wooden toys.Oak & Iron Steakhouse inside a converted blacksmith’s forge with exposed beams, ironwork, open-grill cooking and warm rustic dining.The Aviary Gift Boutique inside a restored Victorian glass aviary with plants, homeware, candles, gifts and elegant displays.
iverside Adventure Park entrance beside a river with high ropes, canoe hire, picnic areas, woodland trails and families walking in.The Old Mill Craft Centre beside a river with artisan stalls, pottery, textiles, handmade gifts and a working waterwheel.Castle View Ice Cream Parlour on a cobbled street with striped awnings, outdoor seating, families and a medieval castle in the background.The Orangery Restaurant in a bright glasshouse beside a stately home with citrus trees, flowers and elegant outdoor dining.
Heritage House Bookshop inside a grand historic townhouse with tall bookshelves, reading chairs, lamps and a fireplace.arriages Restaurant inside a railway museum overlooking railway tracks, with vintage train carriages, spring greenery and elegant dining tables.Bowes Museum Gift Shop inside an elegant 18th-century French chateau with stone architecture, refined displays and museum gift items.The Engine Shed Toy Shop inside a converted locomotive shed with model railway displays, train sets, puzzles and wooden toys.
Oak & Iron Steakhouse inside a converted blacksmith’s forge with exposed beams, ironwork, open-grill cooking and warm rustic dining.The Aviary Gift Boutique inside a restored Victorian glass aviary with plants, homeware, candles, gifts and elegant displays.iverside Adventure Park entrance beside a river with high ropes, canoe hire, picnic areas, woodland trails and families walking in.The Old Mill Craft Centre beside a river with artisan stalls, pottery, textiles, handmade gifts and a working waterwheel.
Castle View Ice Cream Parlour on a cobbled street with striped awnings, outdoor seating, families and a medieval castle in the background.The Orangery Restaurant in a bright glasshouse beside a stately home with citrus trees, flowers and elegant outdoor dining.Heritage House Bookshop inside a grand historic townhouse with tall bookshelves, reading chairs, lamps and a fireplace.arriages Restaurant inside a railway museum overlooking railway tracks, with vintage train carriages, spring greenery and elegant dining tables.
Bowes Museum Gift Shop inside an elegant 18th-century French chateau with stone architecture, refined displays and museum gift items.The Engine Shed Toy Shop inside a converted locomotive shed with model railway displays, train sets, puzzles and wooden toys.Oak & Iron Steakhouse inside a converted blacksmith’s forge with exposed beams, ironwork, open-grill cooking and warm rustic dining.The Aviary Gift Boutique inside a restored Victorian glass aviary with plants, homeware, candles, gifts and elegant displays.
iverside Adventure Park entrance beside a river with high ropes, canoe hire, picnic areas, woodland trails and families walking in.The Old Mill Craft Centre beside a river with artisan stalls, pottery, textiles, handmade gifts and a working waterwheel.Castle View Ice Cream Parlour on a cobbled street with striped awnings, outdoor seating, families and a medieval castle in the background.The Orangery Restaurant in a bright glasshouse beside a stately home with citrus trees, flowers and elegant outdoor dining.
Heritage House Bookshop inside a grand historic townhouse with tall bookshelves, reading chairs, lamps and a fireplace.arriages Restaurant inside a railway museum overlooking railway tracks, with vintage train carriages, spring greenery and elegant dining tables.Bowes Museum Gift Shop inside an elegant 18th-century French chateau with stone architecture, refined displays and museum gift items.The Engine Shed Toy Shop inside a converted locomotive shed with model railway displays, train sets, puzzles and wooden toys.

Bright, Comfortable and Made for Exploring

Durable rubber bracelets are available in a choice of bright colours, with sizes for adults and children. Pick your colour, register your bracelet and start unlocking County Durham.

Colour
Size

For families

Make Every Visit Part of the Adventure

The Durham Heritage Sites bracelet makes days out more fun, engaging and rewarding for the whole family. Tap to unlock each location, then use the app to discover extra information, family activities and local offers nearby.

  • Fun for All Ages Kids can tap, explore and discover in a way that keeps them engaged and excited at every stop.
  • Collect & Celebrate Build your family’s digital trail by collecting unlocked destinations as you go.
  • Plan Your Next Adventure Use the app to find nearby family attractions, activities and places to eat.
Explore family attractions

Perfect for Family Days Out

  • Shared Memories Create lasting memories together while exploring County Durham’s incredible places.
  • Engaging for Kids Interactive taps and exciting discoveries make exploring fun and educational.
  • Family Friendly Offers Unlock family-focused discounts and special offers at attractions and local businesses.
  • Easy to Plan Use the app to plan your route, check opening times and find things to do nearby.
  • Flexible & Convenient Go at your own pace and enjoy the freedom to explore when it suits you.
  • Safe & Secure Our bracelets are durable, water-resistant and designed for active family adventures.

Explore with your bracelet

Browse places to visit, tap and unlock more

Discover attractions, museums, cafés, restaurants, shops and local businesses where your Durham Heritage Sites NFC bracelet can unlock exclusive content, trails, rewards and offers.

Explore bracelet-enabled locations across Durham Heritage Sites
Photo realistic view of Durham Cathedral overlooking the River Wear with historic stone towers, green woodland and a blue sky.
AttractionsFamily Friendly

Durham Cathedral

Tap your bracelet to unlock heritage stories, visitor content and trail moments around one of Durham’s most iconic landmarks.

Durham City Centre

View location
Castle View Ice Cream Parlour on a cobbled street with striped awnings, outdoor seating, families and a medieval castle in the background.
Attractions

Durham Castle

Unlock extra historical context, visitor prompts and location-based content as part of your heritage experience.

Palace Green

View location
Bowes Museum Gift Shop inside an elegant 18th-century French chateau with stone architecture, refined displays and museum gift items.
MuseumsFamily Friendly

Oriental Museum

Use your bracelet to reveal collection highlights, family-friendly prompts and hidden stories during your visit.

Elvet Hill

View location
The Old Mill Craft Centre beside a river with artisan stalls, pottery, textiles, handmade gifts and a working waterwheel.
MuseumsAttractions

Palace Green Library

Discover exhibitions, heritage collections and extra digital content unlocked through your bracelet.

Palace Green

View location
Oak & Iron Steakhouse inside a converted blacksmith’s forge with exposed beams, ironwork, open-grill cooking and warm rustic dining.
Food & DrinkDiscounts Available

Local independent café

Tap your bracelet at participating cafés to reveal visitor rewards, loyalty perks or exclusive local offers.

Durham City Centre

View location
The Aviary Gift Boutique inside a restored Victorian glass aviary with plants, homeware, candles, gifts and elegant displays.
ShoppingDiscounts Available

Heritage gift shop

Browse souvenirs and tap your bracelet to unlock selected offers, recommendations or collectible rewards.

Historic Quarter

View location
iverside Adventure Park entrance beside a river with high ropes, canoe hire, picnic areas, woodland trails and families walking in.
Family FriendlyAttractions

Family trail location

Follow a bracelet-enabled trail with hidden stops, child-friendly prompts and interactive discovery points.

Riverside Route

View location
arriages Restaurant inside a railway museum overlooking railway tracks, with vintage train carriages, spring greenery and elegant dining tables.
Food & DrinkDiscounts Available

Restaurant offer

Tap your bracelet at participating restaurants to reveal seasonal offers, dining rewards or visitor specials.

Durham City Centre

View location

Trusted partners

Supported by Attractions, Museums and Local Businesses

Durham Heritage Sites works with local attractions, heritage destinations, cafés, restaurants, shops and family venues to create a connected visitor experience across County Durham. Together, we champion our rich heritage and support the businesses that make our communities special.

  • Trusted Local Network Visitors can discover verified participating destinations and reliable local offers.
  • Rewards for Visitors Partners provide discounts, rewards and added value for families and tourists.
  • Support for the Local Economy Our scheme helps direct visitors to nearby independent businesses and attractions.
Become a Partner View Partner Locations

Partner benefits

  • Verified Locations All partners are checked and approved for quality and reliability.
  • Exclusive Offers Enjoy special discounts and benefits available only to visitors.
  • Family Friendly Great days out for all ages with family-focused activities and spaces.
  • Plan With Confidence Up-to-date information to help you plan the perfect visit.
  • Boost Local Trade Supporting local businesses and keeping spend in our communities.
  • Easy to Join Simple sign-up process and ongoing support for our partners.

Copyright 2026 © Durham Heritage Sites

Privacy PolicyDisclaimerTerms of Use