1Metal embossed heart workshop
Saturday, 11 July 2026 Crafts for Wellbeing studio, Stanley A fun and colourful workshop creating your own metal embossed heart ornament. Click on the image to find out more.
8.2 milesSat 11 Jul
Top Picks
Rainy Day Picks This Weekend
11–12 July Near Rowley
Not every listing gets a golden ticket
We check the usual frankly silly number of local websites, then look for events that feel rainy-day friendly: cinemas, theatres, talks, workshops, galleries, concerts, cosy venues, and anything less likely to involve standing in a muddy field making brave weather noises.
Happening Saturday 11 July to Sunday 12 July.
Picked for Rowley, not somewhere halfway across the county.
Only Local Gems and Curated venues make the cut, because standards are still a thing.
Listings with proper descriptions get bumped up the list. Three words and a shrug will not do.
Our 10 picks near Rowley
1
2Heritage Steam Train Ride (Timetable A)
Enjoy a scenic 6-mile round-trip through the Causey Valley aboard a lovingly restored steam locomotive and Victorian-era carriages. Day Rover tickets allow unlimited travel all day, and you can join or break your journey at any station.
9.4 milesSun 12 Jul£6-£16.30
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3Afternoon Tea Train Experience
Indulge in a quintessentially British afternoon tea aboard a beautifully restored Directors’ Class carriage while enjoying scenic views along the world’s oldest railway.
9.4 milesSun 12 Jul£40.28
4Diesel Train Driving Experience
Take control of a historic diesel locomotive at Tanfield Railway in this unique, private driving experience lasting 40 minutes. Participants aged 21+ get complimentary day travel and a goody bag.
9.4 milesSun 12 Jul11:50£157.50
5Afternoon Tea Train
Enjoy a delightful afternoon tea aboard a historic Directors’ Class carriage while taking in scenic views of the North East countryside.
9.4 milesSun 12 Jul£40.28
6Floorball – a kind of indoor hockey: lots of fun, no experience needed
7.6 milesSun 12 Jul18:00
7Bowes Book Club
at Bowes Museum
Embrace curiosity and join the conversation as we explore stories that celebrate the arts, culture and creativity. Each session will showcase a hand-picked selection of objects from the collection and encourage lively discussion. Whether you’re a seasoned reader, a museum enthusiast, or looking for a new experience in an inspiring space, dive into a range of fiction, non-fiction, historical and modern explorations of change, style and empowerment through a range of perspectives. Please note: books will not be provided, so please ensure you can get one before the session. Suitable for ages 18+. £10. Booking recommended. Ticket price includes free tea or coffee. Sunday 12 July: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid Please contact the learning team at if you have access requirements, so the session can be adapted to suit your needs. To reserve your place click ‘book tickets’ and select the ticket that suits you. We’ll confirm your membership when you arrive, or you can pay for a day ticket/ join as a member on the day. BOOK TICKETS
20 milesSun 12 Jul£10.
8Learn to Knit in 50 Squares: 11. The convergent one
Join Jennifer for part one of a long-term series of short knitalongs based on the book Learn to Knit in 50 Squares by Anna Pantelous. For this series we require that you have a copy of the book, whether purchased from us (we will offer a 10% discount on the book to those registered for the class) or elsewhere. If you
12.1 milesSat 11 Jul15:00
9Little Gems
at The Bistro
Little Gems School of Dance invite you to join them and defy dance gravity with a show packed full of amazing routines! We have it all in one show – disco classics, pop legends, musical memories and reimagined classics, before finally we dance through life and prove how Wicked we really are!
13.8 milesSat 11 Jul
10The Spy Who Came in from the Cold
Evenings: 7.30pm Matinees: Wed & Thu 2pm, Sat 2.30pm Running Time: 2hrs 10mins (including interval) Need to know: 12+, contains strong language, derogatory language prevalent to the period, and depictions of violence including gunshots. Audio Described and Captioned perf with pre-show Touch Tour : Sat 11 Jul, 2.30pm
14.2 milesSat 11 Jul
More Top Picks
Keep the good ideas rolling
If this page has done the trick, there is more where that came from.
Round-upFamilies This WeekendTen family-friendly picks with proper details, decent venues, and no mystery listings that leave you guessing.Round-upFree Things This WeekendA smarter list of local free picks for the weekend, chosen for quality, clarity, and the sort of detail that saves a wasted journey.All PicksBack to Top PicksSee all our curated round-ups in one place.