Wharton Park events

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If an event takes place in the outdoor amphitheatre don't forget to bring a waterproof coat if it rains. You can also bring along a blanket for the grassed seating.

Summer in the park

The Last Days of Troy

Date: Wednesday 19 June, Thursday 20 June, Friday 21 June
Time: 7:00pm
Cost/booking: £8 (£6 - DST members, £7 - concessions). Tickets can be bought online one the Durham Student Theatre website. 
Details: Join Durham Student Theatre (DST) as they take to the stage in the amphitheatre. Ten years of jealousy, yearning and lust, of tangled bed sheets and piling corpses. Ten years for the hand of one woman. Ten years, one thousand ships, and one horse...

In this dramatisation of the oldest story in Western civilisation, acclaimed poet Simon Armitage brings to life the most famous heroes in history for a vivid showdown.

Themes of violence and graphic language used during the show.

This is an outside show with seating on the grassed banks of the amphitheatre to bring a blanket or low backed picnic chair to sit on.

Summer brass series 

Date: Sunday's throughout July and August
Time: 1.00pm - 3.00pm 
Cost/booking: Free no booking required
Details: We are hosting a a series of free Sunday afternoon Brass in the park concerts, by some of the County's finest brass bands, performed in the amphitheatre.
What better way to enjoy a summer Sunday afternoon?

For more information on the Brass Festival Festival visit the website.

Rain or shine drop-in craft sessions 

Date: Every Tuesday throughout the summer holidays (23 July - 29 August)
Time: 11.00am - 3.00pm
Cost/booking: Free drop-in sessions 
Details: Create and make, get messy and have fun whatever the weather. Suitable for children of all ages. Must be accompanied by an adult.

Coached sports sessions 

Date: Every Thursday throughout the summer holidays (25 July - 29 August)
Time: 1.00pm - 3.00pm 
Cost/booking: Free drop-in session at the MUGA in the lower level of the park 
Details: Children aged 4-11 years who love sports or want to get involved, can join our coach from LK Health & Wellbeing, for free weekly coached sports sessions.

Secret summer workshop 

Date: Wednesday 31 July
Time: 10.00am-11.30am and 1.00pm-2.30pm
Cost/booking: £8.50 per child.  To book contact us. 
Details: The Secret Summer theatre production is coming to the park later this summer.  This themed workshop will take you on a journey of discovery to explore, puzzle, reveal the mysteries in the park, and discover our secret garden.

Secret Summer trail

Date: Thursday 1 August to Sunday 1 September
Time: Any time during park opening times 
Cost/booking: £1 per trail sheet
Details: This summer we are challenging you to our secret summer trail.  Collect a sheet from the cafe and see if you can solve the puzzles and riddles hidden around the park. Once complete return to the cafe for your sticker prize.

National Play Day

Date: Wednesday 7 August
Time: 11.00am-3.00pm
Cost/booking: Free
Details: Get outdoors and join us for free fun and games on the lawn outside the visitors centre to celebrate National Play Day.

The Secret Garden 

Date: Saturday 10 August
Time: 6.30pm (doors 5.30pm)
Cost/booking: Adult £16, Child £11, Family £46. Book online for The Secret Garden or call the Gala Box Office 03000 266 600.
Details: The Secret is out.... This summer, join young Mary Lennox on a journey of discovery as she is sent to her uncle's house in the countryside, where mysteries and secrets lurk round every corner... As she makes new friends and encounters magical creatures, Mary has one burning question: where is the location of her uncle's secret garden, and where has he hidden the key? This enchanting story, loved by children and adults alike, is presented at Wharton Park's outdoor amphitheatre. Relive this tale of secrecy and curiosity in what will be one of the highlights of the summer.

Summer camp 

Date: Monday 12 - Friday16 August 
Time: 10.00am - 3.00pm 
Cost/booking: £12.50 per child.  To book contact us.
Details: We are offering a week long summer camp, with each day being packed with challenges, creativity, sports, exploring and friendship building.

Teddy Bears picnic

Date: Wednesday 21 August 
Time: 11.00am - 2.00pm
Cost/booking: £6 per child. To book contact us. 
Details: Pack a picnic and bring your favourite teddy bear and join us for lots of beartastic activities in the park, including themed arts and crafts, the teddy bear trail and also compete in the teddy bear sports day!

Regular events

Brand new to our early years programme.

Let's explore!

Date: The sessions will run bi-monthly on Friday afternoons initially for 7 weeks on the following dates: Friday 26 April, Friday 10 May, Friday 24 May, Friday 7 June, Friday 21 June, Friday 5 July, Friday 19 July
Time: 1.00pm-2.30pm
Cost/booking: £3 per child per session or block book all 7 sessions for £18. contact us - all bookings need to be made in advance.
Details: It's time to take your little explorer on a mini adventure. These sessions are ideal for under 5's giving them the opportunity to get outdoors and explore the park. They will search for signs of plant and animal life, collect natural materials and take part in a range of other seasonal activities. Children will be given the freedom to explore nature and use it to create their own artwork, search for signs of life in the park with some bird spotting and mini beast hunting, take inspiration from the weather with themed play and crafts and plant some new life to watch it grow.

Baby class - Wharton Park's Tiny Toes

Date: Every Friday, term time only.
Time: 10.00am-11.30am.
Cost/booking: £24 for six weeks. To book, contact us.
Details: A relaxed six week programme for babies from birth to approximately 13 month. Sessions take place in our education room with a different theme each week. There is careful balance between structured activity and self-led exploration so that as new parents you can connect with each other sharing experiences and offering support.

Educational sessions for schools

We run educational sessions in the park throughout the year. For more information and details of how to book, check out our  Wharton Park Workshops Summer 2019 (PDF, 856.1kb) flyer.