Summary
Arriving in Durham via train from the south presents a breathtaking view that remains etched in memory.
Rising majestically in the east are the towers of Durham Cathedral, the emblem of this medieval university city and one of Europe’s most significant Romanesque structures.
Constructed from warmly hued sandstone, this cathedral is part of Durham’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During the Middle Ages, Durham was governed by Prince-Bishops who possessed considerable autonomy, even to the extent of minting their own currency.
The cathedral is elegantly situated on a hillside alongside the River Wear, aligned with the castle, which also has Norman origins.
Durham University stands as a prestigious institution infusing the city with vitality, complemented by outstanding museums and various events, including the regatta on the Wear held on the second weekend of June.
Let us now delve into the most notable attractions in Durham:
1. Durham Cathedral
One of the captivating aspects of Durham Cathedral is that much of its architecture was completed within a single phase of construction around the early 12th century.
This late Romanesque and early Gothic architecture is prominently displayed in the Galilee Chapel, characterized by distinctive zigzag patterns on its arches and noticeable remnants of Norman wall paintings.
This era also produced the oldest surviving large-scale stone vault in the world, marking a significant advancement in architectural design.
This innovative structure is exemplified in the nave, with Romanesque semi-circular arches merging into pioneering Gothic pointed ribbed vaults.
There is considerably more to discover than can be covered in one entry; however, do allocate ample time to visit the tombs of St. Cuthbert (d. 687) and the Venerable Bede (d. 735), in addition to the Chapel of the Nine Altars and the cloister, which made appearances in the first two Harry Potter films.
2. Treasures of St Cuthbert
The cathedral has recently unveiled the Open Treasures exhibition, allowing the public an opportunity to explore claustral buildings that house a world-class collection of religious artefacts.
Within the cloister, visitors can access the Monks’ Dormitory, which features interactive exhibits and community galleries.
However, the highlight is the Great Kitchen, which showcases the Treasures of St Cuthbert.
St. Cuthbert, a revered figure from Northeast England, lived during the 7th century and became Bishop of Lindisfarne shortly after the abbey’s establishment.
This exhibition includes remnants of the coffin in which Cuthbert was interred, along with artefacts discovered from the grave, such as his gold and garnet pectoral cross, an ivory comb, and a portable altar.
Furthermore, medieval silk vestments were interred within the tomb and are also exhibited.
3. Durham Castle
Overlooking the peninsula, Durham Castle is a significant feature of Durham’s UNESCO site.
This structure was originally constructed as a motte-and-bailey castle during the 11th century amidst the Norman Conquest to maintain control over this tumultuous region of England and serve as a defense against the Scots.
In subsequent years, it functioned as the bishop’s palace before transitioning to a college following the relocation of the Prince-Bishops to Auckland Castle, situated ten miles to the south.
Since 1840, the castle has housed University College, Durham; however, guided tours are available that last approximately 50 minutes.
Your knowledgeable guide will escort you through Bishop Bek’s Great Hall from the 14th century (historically, the largest medieval great hall in England), the impressive Romanesque Norman Chapel (1048), and Tunstall Chapel (1540). The latter features 17th-century misericords intricately carved with whimsical images from nursery rhymes.
4. Crook Hall and Gardens
Situated in Durham’s Framwelgate area is a charming manor house, with its most ancient sections dating back to the 1300s.
Due to two significant expansions over time, Crook Hall serves as a living monument to the evolution of noble architecture, progressing from the Medieval Hall to the Jacobean and Georgian additions.
The gardens, too, are enchanting, spanning five acres, designed in a sequence of “garden rooms,” featuring a walled garden, a Shakespeare garden, a rose garden, a moat pool, a silver garden, an orchard, and a cathedral garden.
Internally, visitors can explore the Medieval Hall, Minstrel’s Gallery, Attic Room, alongside a Jacobean Room, Georgian Drawing Room, and a cozy tearoom.
5. Durham Riverside Walk
A wonderful way to become familiar with Durham is to stroll along the Wear, where a three-mile circular path has been established, providing picturesque views of the cathedral perched above.
What stands out is the dense foliage lining the riverbanks, particularly on the peninsula, which, with its twisted ancient trees, can evoke a sense of remote countryside rather than an urban center.
Numerous intriguing sights will engage your attention along the way, along with delightful refreshment stops such as the Half Moon Inn, a Grade I listed Tudor Pub, and the cathedral’s undercroft, which features a shop and café.
East of the city, you can ascend another dramatic promontory at Maiden Castle, the site of an Iron Age fort.
6. Palace Green
Currently a serene area for contemplation of the cathedral and sandstone university architecture, Palace Green has not always enjoyed such tranquility.
Initially, when the cathedral was constructed, this space served as a marketplace, subsequently cleared for sanitation and fire safety concerns.
Following this period, it was reserved for the Prince-Bishop and the clergy.
In addition to the cathedral, other noteworthy structures surrounding Palace Green include Cosin’s Hall (1830s), Cosin’s Almshouses (1666), Abbey House (early 18th century), and Palace Green Library (1699), all contributing to the area’s rich historic landscape.
On the eastern edge of the square, Cosin’s Almshouses now accommodate a café with a patio featuring outdoor seating.
7. Durham University Botanic Garden
Located amidst Durham University’s various colleges in the southern part of the city, the botanic garden spans 25 acres of mature woodland and features a diverse collection of global plant species.
This includes an alpine garden, a wildflower meadow, an arboretum, a bamboo garden, as well as several glasshouses dedicated to Mediterranean, desert, and tropical flora.
In the tropical house, visitors can observe tarantulas, stick insects, and butterflies; while in the parkland, rare Manx Loghtan sheep graze during the spring.
Self-directed activities such as birdwatching are available, and on weekends, there are usually events for children, including face painting, teddy bear picnics, and circus workshops.
8. Durham Indoor Market
Located beneath a metal and glass canopy, the Durham Indoor Market operates from Monday to Saturday in a historic hall that first opened in 1852. This splendid Victorian building underwent restoration in 1996 and now hosts over 50 vendors, almost all of whom have longstanding ties to the Durham community.
Many of these businesses procure their goods locally, which enhances both quality and freshness while supporting the regional economy.
Types of vendors include bakers, artisanal confectioners, haberdashers, art suppliers, jewelers, tobacco merchants, fishmongers, and butchers, to name a few.
The market also features a café with complimentary Wi-Fi, as well as a stall offering freshly baked pizza.
9. Oriental Museum
Durham University’s Oriental Museum holds the distinction of being the sole museum in the North of England dedicated to Asian and African cultures.
Established in 1960, the museum serves as a repository for the Oriental School’s expansive and growing collection of art and archaeology.
Its exhibits feature a plethora of jade and porcelain from China, ceramics and bronze mirrors representative of Korea’s Joseon and Goryeo Dynasties, figurines and jade from the Indian subcontinent, as well as weapons, ceramics, armor, and metalwork from Japan’s Edo and Meiji periods.
Additionally, the museum boasts a significant Egyptian collection, including a funeral mask from the 18th dynasty (dating back approximately 3,500 years) and cuneiform tablets from the Middle East.
10. Wharton Park
Adjacent to Durham’s train station, Wharton Park has received a Green Flag award due to its excellent facilities and maintenance.
Walking uphill to Wharton Park from the cathedral may go unnoticed, yet it rewards visitors with stunning views of the cathedral.
Established in the mid-19th century by William Lloyd Wharton, a coal magnate, the park was enhanced with ornamental mock battlements that serve as viewing platforms.
The park also features an amphitheater, surrounded by grassy slopes where visitors bring picnics to enjoy live music performances during the summer months.
Children will appreciate the miniature electric cars available for them to drive on a designated track for £1 during school holidays and weekends in the spring and summer.
11. Palace Green Library
Palace Green Library at Durham University hosts a series of remarkable temporary exhibitions.
During the summer of 2018, the library featured a display on excavations of 17th-century mass graves undertaken by the University’s archaeology department.
Since 2013, Palace Green Library has periodically exhibited the early 8th-century St. Cuthbert Gospel, an esteemed Anglo-Saxon manuscript written in Latin on the holy island of Lindisfarne.
The beautifully adorned leather binding still encases the St. Cuthbert Gospel, representing the earliest known bookbinding still existing in the West.
The library also organizes children’s activities on select weekends, in addition to other exhibitions at the Wolfson Library and the University of Archaeology.
12. Diggerland
Diggerland is an amusement park designed to captivate the imaginations of younger children, focusing on heavy machinery.
At Diggerland, children can engage in safe activities utilizing hydraulic loaders for stacking games, treasure hunts, knocking over skittles, and fishing for ducks.
The park features rides powered by heavy machinery, such as Skyshuttle and Spindizzy, while Groundshuttle takes visitors on a thrilling ride on a JCB Telehandler.
You can also operate your own dumper trucks, steer loaders, enjoy a train ride pulled by a dumper, or have fun in a two-story indoor play area.
13. Gala Theatre
By the Wear, at the northernmost point of Durham’s peninsula lies the Gala Theatre, a performing arts complex that cost £15m to establish.
Featuring events almost every evening, the Gala hosts nationally recognized comedians, diverse theatre companies, opera, dance performances, classical concerts, jazz ensembles, and various tribute acts.
Additionally, pantomimes are staged during the Christmas season, alongside matinees for children, discussions with intriguing cultural figures, and television personalities.
The Gala also includes a two-screen cinema showcasing the latest blockbusters and independent films.
14. Old Durham Gardens
A recommended spot along the eastern section of the river walk is this 17th-century walled garden located half a mile from the cathedral.
The Old Durham Gardens were historically connected to a manor house that was demolished in the 19th century.
Resting on a tall, south-facing terrace that descends to an orchard, the gardens feature damson plum trees that have persisted since before their establishment in the early 17th century.
In the early 20th century, the gardens were transformed into a simple recreational space before regaining their historical topiaries and formal layout after being acquired by the council in the 1980s.
15. Finchale Priory
For a brief excursion, the ruins of Finchale Priory can be discovered in a bend of the Wear, a short distance downstream from Durham.
Maintained by English Heritage, this former Benedictine priory is nestled within meadows and woodlands and dates back to the latter half of the 13th century.
Modifications occurred over the subsequent three centuries until the priory was dissolved in 1535. Much of the medieval craftsmanship remains, most notably in the vaulted refectory undercroft, which visitors can explore.
Visitors should also take note of the exquisite tracery present in the church’s blind arches, as well as two sculpted seats from the sedilia and a double piscina located on the south wall of the chancel.
Additionally, observe the capitals adorning the columns, ornately decorated with motifs of acanthus leaves, pine cones, and crockets.
