Hardwick Park events

Summer Little Fledglings Forest School

If you have a child aged between 18 months and five years you can sign them up for six weeks of fun learning through play. During the six week programme each child moves at their own pace, supported each week by our Forest School Practitioner. Little Fledglings Forest School aims to inspire children through nature, building their confidence and self-esteem and encouraging individual growth. Whether children are building, climbing, bug hunting or making mud pies; children will learn through play in the great outdoors with the park as their playground.

When: every Tuesday morning
Time: 10.00am to noon
Location: Outdoor Learning Area at Hardwick Park.
Starting:Tuesday 4 June to Tuesday 9 July 2024
Length:six week block
Cost: £48

Children must be accompanied by an adult each week. 

We have a limited number of spaces remaining for our Summer Little Fledgling Forest School starting on Tuesday 4 June. 

Pre booking required. Book online for a park event, or Contact Parks and countryside education officer with any questions.

Step into Story time: Pirates Love Underpants 

Outdoor discovery sessions for younger children involving crafts, storytelling and interactive park trails. Suitable for children between the ages of two and five. Children must be accompanied by an adult and workshops will take place out in the park grounds

Date: Wednesday 12 June, Saturday 15 June
Time: 10.00am to 11.30am and 1.00pm to 2.30pm
Price: £6

Step into Story time: Little Red Riding Hood 

Outdoor discovery sessions for younger children involving crafts, storytelling and interactive park trails. Suitable for children between the ages of two and five. Children must be accompanied by an adult and workshops will take place out in the park grounds

Date: Wednesday 3 July, Saturday 6 July 
Time: 10.00am to 11.30am and 1.00pm to 2.30pm 
Price: £6

Summer Forest Club (selected summer holiday dates)

Children aged 18 months to 8 years of age and their families can join us over the summer holiday period for a weekly Summer Forest Club running on selected Tuesday mornings at Hardwick Park during the summer holiday period. Forest Club is a hands-on experience designed to teach children about the natural world around them. Each session will be play based and will offer a variety of familiar and new activities for the children to try out.

Dates: Selected Tuesday mornings over the summer holidays
Time: 10.00am to 12.00noon
Dates:  Tuesday 23 July, Tuesday 30 July, Tuesday 13 August, Tuesday 20 August, Tuesday 27 August
Price: £8.50 per week
Location: Hardwick Park, Outdoor Learning Area

Pre booking is required due to limited spaces. Children must be accompanied by an adult during the session. Outdoor clothing is advised.

To book, visit Book online for a park event, search for Summer Forest Club and select the correct date you wish to book. 

Hardwick Conservation Champions

Become a Durham Countryside Conservation Champion with us this Summer through our new park experience aimed at young people aged 11 to 16 years old. Engage in a range of activities exploring the park, discovering new friendships and interests and contribute to looking after the environment within our much-loved Hardwick Park. There will be interactive games, free time, creative activities, as well as conservation tasks to help nurture and develop a love and respect for green spaces.  Full week attendance will also earn attendees a Durham Countryside Conservation Champions Certificate whilst attendees attending for a day or two you will become one of our Hardwick Heroes.

Date: Monday 29 July - Friday 2 August 2024
Times: 9.00am - 4.00 pm
Price: £25 per day
Age: 11-16 years

Early drop of 8.30am/late pick up 4.30pm - £2.50 per slot (this can be booked and paid for separately over the telephone and can not be booked online)

Pre booking required. Book online for a park event, and make sure you add every day you want to book to your basket, or Contact Parks and countryside education officer with any questions.

Hardwick Holiday Club

Children aged 5 to 11 can join our education team in August and take part in our Hardwick Holiday Club. The club will run over five days between Monday 5 August to Friday 9 August. Children can attend all week or selected days to suit individuals. Each day of Holiday Club will offer opportunities to explore and discover a range of outdoor adventures while making new friends, playing games, and learning new skills. Each day of Holiday Club will involve a themed activity followed by free play in the afternoons.

Holiday Club themes:

• Monday 5 August: Games and Challenges
• Tuesday 6 August: Minibeasts
• Wednesday 7 August: Survival Day 
• Thursday 8 August: Art in Nature 
• Friday 9 August: Pirate Adventure 

Dates: Monday 5 August to Friday 9 August 
Times: 9.00am to 4.00pm daily
Cost: £25 per child, per day 

Early drop off at 8.30am and late collection 4.30pm can be arranged but this must be pre-booked and paid for in advance at the cost of £2.50 each per child. 

Pre booking required. Book online for a park event, and make sure you add every day you want to book to your basket, or Contact Parks and countryside education officer with any questions.

Self-led Love Exploring trails

Download the love exploring app for free Download the Love Exploring app. We recommend all those who already have the app to update to the latest version of the platform when prompted. Love Exploring is compatible with most but not all mobile phones. Please check you can access all features of the trails before you visit.

Roman game

Try our bespoke new game to learn more about Hardwick Park's East Park and the unique Roman settlement that was found there. See roman buildings rise up from the ground and meet roman characters all in augmented reality. You can also try our games which include shaping a roman pot, solving a bronze making puzzle, and constructing iron tools all through your mobile phone. East Park is found by going through the underpass near the Hardwick Park Tower and Dragon. It is a field with rough paths and we recommend sensible footwear.

Halloween dance trail

If you love searching for scary skeletons, mixing with mummies or zoning in on zombies, this trail is perfect for you! See these creepy characters and more in augmented reality on a fun walk around the park.  Our spooky creatures love to come out during Halloween but do not worry they're not too scary, they prefer dancing!