Discover Sedgefield

If you’re looking for a hotel in Sedgefield, local history, parkland and event dates can help you define the purpose of your trip. Historic themes offer a different focus from a stay planned around a specific event date. The Durham National takes place every year in October; Hardwick Park adds parkland and a historic walking trail to your travel plans.

Historic sites and buildings

East Park is the site of a Roman civilian settlement on a major road. St Edmund's Church is over 750 years old; its 30 m-high Norman tower is visible from afar. The Market Cross was erected in 2012 to mark the 700th anniversary of Sedgefield being granted market rights. These examples offer different historical perspectives: Roman settlement history, church architecture and the history of market rights. The timeline spans from the Roman settlement, through the church, which is more than 750 years old, to the Market Cross, erected in 2012.

The Heritage Trail provides a walking map of the town’s main historic attractions. The map may be out of date; check it before using it if you plan to base your exploration on it.

Hardwick Park: landscape and walking trail

Hardwick Park is an 18th-century parkland and a visitor attraction. The park features archaeological remains and diverse ecology. Its walking routes include a one-mile historic trail. The distance gives you a specific point of reference if you’d like to include a walk in your travel plans. Unlike individual buildings or a settlement site, Hardwick Park puts the focus on landscape, ecological diversity and walking trails.

Events and when to visit

The Durham National has been held in Sedgefield since 1955 and takes place every year in October. The race covers a distance of 3¾ miles. The specific dates may vary. Its recurring October timeframe gives your travel plans a point of reference, while the course length helps characterise the event.

The Sedgefield Show was established as an annual event to promote livestock and agricultural produce. The show features agricultural produce, crafts and artistic works. A food hall gives visitors the chance to sample regional specialities. The format of the food hall may vary from one edition to another. The two events have different focuses: The Durham National is a horse race, while the Sedgefield Show brings together agriculture, exhibitions and regional specialities.

For The Durham National, check the specific date in October for the year in question; if your stay isn’t tied to a particular event, historic sites or the walking trail at Hardwick Park could be the focus.

Discover more destinations: Stanhope, Durham, Shotley Bridge, Horden, Stanley, Wycliffe, Tow Law, Consett

Go to the main travel overview: Durham.