Magical LEGO® trail to transform Durham City Centre this Summer

Families are being invited to discover a magical new side to Durham this summer as an enchanting LEGO® trail takes over the city's historic streets.

Brick Fairytales, The Enchanted Durham LEGO® Trail, will run from 1 to 15 August, transforming Durham city centre into a free, family-friendly adventure featuring a series of large brick-built fairytale characters and fantasy-inspired displays.

The new event has been created through a partnership between Durham BID, Durham County Council and the City of Durham Parish Council, with organisers hoping it will encourage thousands of families to explore the city during the school holidays while supporting local businesses.

Paul Howard, Durham BID Manager, said: "Events like this are about giving families another great reason to spend time in our city. By working in partnership with Durham County Council and the City of Durham Parish Council, we're creating a free attraction that encourages people to explore everything Durham has to offer - from our fantastic independent shops and cafés to our restaurants and cultural attractions. 

“The summer holidays are incredibly important for many businesses, and we're looking forward to welcoming thousands of visitors into the city centre over the two-week trail."

Visitors will be able to follow a trail of colourful LEGO® sculptures through the city centre, discovering everything from mythical creatures to beloved fairytale characters. Among the highlights is a giant Cinderella carriage, situated at Prince Bishops Place Shopping Centre, alongside a dragon at Clayport Library, and other magical displays designed to provide plenty of photo opportunities. 

The trail is completely free to take part in and has been designed to appeal to children, LEGO® enthusiasts and visitors of all ages.

Businesses across the city are expected to benefit from increased footfall, with families encouraged to spend time exploring Durham's shops, cafés, restaurants and attractions while completing the trail - many of which are included in the Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme, with discounts on meals and ‘kids eat free’ deals. 

The initiative forms part of a wider programme of events aimed at driving visitors into the city centre throughout the year and showcasing Durham as a destination for families and day-trippers.

Organisers say the event combines creativity, imagination and exploration, giving residents and visitors another reason to spend a day in the city during the summer break.

Councillor Elizabeth Scott, Chair of the City of Durham Parish Council's Business Committee, said: "The Parish Council is incredibly proud to work alongside our partners to bring this phenomenal two-week summer event to Durham City. 

“Summer is a crucial time for our high street, and bringing this extra touch of magic to our streets is a fantastic way to spark people's imagination and give families yet another reason to spend the day here, exploring everything the City has to offer. 

“Providing a high-quality, completely free event for families over the holiday season will also hopefully help to drive footfall into the city centre, offering a welcome boost to our wonderful array of local businesses, independent shops, and eateries."

The trail runs daily from 1–15 August, with maps available from all participating businesses and Durham Town Hall. A digital map can be found on Google here.