The County Durham Centre was established in 1970 to promote and actively assist the work of the National Trust.

The Centre has a membership of about 400, drawn from the old geographical County Durham area, namely from the Tyne to the Tees. An extensive annual programme of day visits, holidays, talks and social events enables the Centre to make a considerable contribution to the work of the National Trust in the North East.

Over the years the Centre has supported projects at Wallington, Washington Old Hall, Souter Lighthouse and Gibside, making donations which average about £3,000 each year.