These free events across County Durham will keep you and the family entertained without having to put your hand in your pocket.

Our wonderful county has so much going on, and not all of it needs to cost a fortune or even involve booking tickets. Have a look through our Durham free events this week, September 9 to 15 2019.

#1: Ovo Energy Tour of Britain race

The Tour of Britain cycling race passes through County Durham and should be well worth going along to see. Rolling road closures will be in place throughout the day, and the race will pass through several Count Durham villages. Take a look at the details in our Tour of Britain Durham details.

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#2: Late Summer Lectures, Durham city

Another in the series of free lectures, this is at Alington House Community Association in North Bailey, on Wednesday September 11 5.30-6.30pm. Entitled Future Memory and Circular Time in Dickens's The Signalman, English tutor Claire Ashworth explains how Dickens' vision of time predicts the psychology of Freud. Call 0191 334 2500 for more information.

#3: Heritage Open Days

The fantastic Heritage Open Days are back with events across County Durham, and rather than the usual weekend of activities there's a whole 10 days. You can see what's available in our Durham Heritage Open Days information story.

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#4: Market Hall Tours

Between 10.30-11.30am on Thursday September 12, join archivist and historian David Butler as he leads a walking tour of the Durham Market Hall. Durham Market Hall sits in the heart of Durham City but the site wasn't always home to market traders. The site was once home to a palace and gardens for the Nevilles of Raby, and once to a workhouse.

The tour is free but must be booked in advance on durhammarkets@yahoo.co.uk

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#5: Pill, Skills and Thrills exhibition, Witham Arts Centre

The Witham Arts Centre in Barnard Castle is hosting an exhibition that traces the Witham's history from its foundation in the 1840s as a Dispensary, Mechanics Institution and Library serving the working poor of Teesdale.

Beginning with the remarkable philanthropy of the founders, Henry Witham and a group of local gentry, it looks at the Witham's vigorous growth and expansion through the 1800s and 1900s, to its eventual flowering as the region's main venue for cultural and social events.

The Witham exhibition is on from Thursday September 12 to Saturday September 28, 10am to 4pm. It will usually be closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Feature image credit: Sunderland Antiquarian Society

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