Crap Towns / Durham / Parks
How many parks and playgrounds has Durham got?
OS maps 5 public parks and gardens in Durham (April 2026): 1.0 per 10,000 people, 60% lower than the typical town's 2.5. There are 25 play spaces, 4.9 per 10,000 people, 18% lower than the typical town's 6.0. 24.9% of its people live more than 400 metres from a park or play space, as the crow flies, 1.6 times the typical town's 15.5%.
| Measure | Here | Typical town |
|---|---|---|
| Public parks and gardens per 10,000 people | 1.0 | 2.5 |
| Play spaces per 10,000 people | 4.9 | 6.0 |
| Square metres of public park per person | 1.2 | 4.5 |
| People more than 400 metres from a park or play space | 24.9% | 15.5% |
| Town | Distance | % more than 400 metres from a park |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon | 4.6 km | 56.8 |
| Sacriston | 5.3 km | 34.9 |
| Fence Houses | 8.2 km | 27.2 |
| Pelton and Ouston | 10.7 km | 25.2 |
| Durham | – | 24.9 |
| Ushaw Moor and Bearpark | 4.1 km | 23.3 |
| Chester-le-Street | 8.1 km | 22.0 |
| Hetton-le-Hole | 8.5 km | 13.1 |
| Spennymoor | 8.7 km | 12.8 |
| Houghton-le-Spring | 8.9 km | 7.4 |
| Shiney Row and Penshaw | 10.8 km | 3.9 |
| The typical town | – | 15.5 |