Motorhome Hire in County Durham

If you are looking for motorhome hire in County Durham, this is a county of remarkable contrasts. County Durham sits to the north of North Yorkshire, with its eastern side centred on the city of Durham, rich in history, heritage, and architectural splendour. Its western side, reaching into the high Pennines, offers some of the wildest and most dramatic upland scenery in England. For motorhome travellers from our Pontefract depot, County Durham is a rewarding destination that feels a genuine step away from the everyday.

Durham Cathedral and Castle

Durham city is dominated by its cathedral and castle, which together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Durham Cathedral, built between 1093 and 1133, is widely regarded as the finest example of Norman architecture in Europe. Its ribbed vaults were revolutionary for their time, and the interior remains awe-inspiring nearly a thousand years later. The cathedral houses the tomb of the Venerable Bede and the shrine of St Cuthbert. The castle, now part of Durham University, offers guided tours and sits on the opposite side of Palace Green, high above the loop of the River Wear.

Beamish and the Durham Dales

Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, is one of the finest open-air museums in the world. Spread across 350 acres of County Durham countryside, it recreates life in the North of England during the 1820s, 1900s, and 1940s with remarkable authenticity. You can ride a vintage tram, visit a working farm, buy sweets from a period sweetshop, and explore a coal mine. It is an all-day experience and one of the best family attractions in the north of England.

The Durham Dales, in the western part of the county, are part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a UNESCO Global Geopark. High Force, where the River Tees plunges 21 metres over a cliff of the Whin Sill, is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in England. Nearby, the Bowlees Visitor Centre provides an excellent starting point for walks along Teesdale, and the wildflower meadows in late spring and early summer are internationally significant for their rare alpine plants.

Our Motorhome Fleet

Our fleet includes 2-berth, 4-berth, and 6-berth motorhomes with both manual and automatic options, and prices starting from 135 per night. Every hire includes comprehensive insurance and 24/7 roadside support. Selected vehicles are dog-friendly, and if this is your first time hiring a motorhome, we provide a full walkthrough before you set off. Our packing checklist covers everything you need to bring.

Barnard Castle and Bishop Auckland

Barnard Castle, known locally as "Barney", is a handsome market town on the River Tees. The castle ruins that give the town its name date from the twelfth century and occupy a dramatic clifftop position above the river. The Bowes Museum, housed in a grand French chateau-style building on the edge of town, contains an extraordinary collection of fine and decorative arts, including the celebrated Silver Swan automaton. The surrounding Teesdale countryside is outstanding walking country.

Bishop Auckland, in the heart of the county, has been transformed by the Auckland Project, a major heritage and arts initiative centred on Auckland Castle. The castle, once the principal residence of the Prince Bishops of Durham, now houses galleries, a deer park, and the Faith Museum. The nearby Locomotion railway museum at Shildon celebrates the region's pioneering railway heritage on the site of the world's first passenger railway.

From our Pontefract depot, Durham city is approximately 90 minutes north via the A1(M). Barnard Castle and the Durham Dales are accessible via the A1 and A66 in around 75 minutes. Bishop Auckland is approximately 70 minutes. County Durham has excellent campsites, particularly around Teesdale and the North Pennines, and the quiet roads of the dales are a pleasure to drive in a motorhome.