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Due to essential maintenance, the following systems will be unavailable from 6.00pm on Monday 2 October until 8.00am on Tuesday 3 October: our online council tax, business rates and housing benefit services, and our welfare assistance form. You will also not be able to register to pay council tax online, make a change of address for council tax or cancel single person discount. You are still able to make a payment during this time. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Picnic areas


Come and visit our picnic areas. We have sites across the county where you can go and relax in wonderful settings. They are ideal for short walks or picnics and some even feature historical remains.

Picnic areas in County Durham               

  • Baybridge: On B6306, west of Blanchland
  • Broompark: On B6302, east of Ushaw Moor
  • Causey Arch: On the A6076, between Stanley and Sunniside
  • Cocken Wood: East of Plawsworth, over river from Finchale Priory
  • Malton: On A691, east of Lanchester
  • Middle Rainton: on A690 near Rainton Gate

More information

For more countryside information, please click on one of the links below:

There are designated barbecue areas at both Hardwick Park and Wharton Park. Unauthorised fires and barbecues are not permitted on any other of our countryside sites. 

Other sources of information