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    This is Durham Blog

You are here > Home > Explore Durham > Durham City

Durham City

Durham City
County Durham
DH1 1WA

Add Durham City to your Itinerary

Durham City
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About

Bill Bryson called it ‘a perfect little city’ and Condé Nast’s Traveller magazine readers voted it the ‘Best city in the UK’ – now Durham warmly awaits your visit to receive another seal of approval.

A captivating city with winding cobbled streets and a prominent peninsula crowned with the dramatic Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site – one of the most stunning city panoramas in Europe. Durham is a pleasure to explore and one of the finest cultural and historic destinations in the UK.

The quintessential old English university city, Durham has a wonderful timeless quality with rowing on the Wear and relaxing riverside walks, and yet buzzes with a vibrant contemporary culture with superb cafés, artisan workshops, boutiques, galleries and museums.

There’s plenty to see and do; watch the world go by in one of the city centre cafés, shop for gourmet treats, locally produced food or original crafts in an array of shops and markets. Enjoy a moment of reflection in the awe-inspiring Cathedral, find city-centre calm at Crook Hall and Gardens or explore the treasures of Durham University’s Oriental Museum.

Days in Durham are a hard act to follow, but we like to think our evenings are also up to the mark. Spellbinding theatre to side-splitting comedy, intimate restaurants to chic café-bars, action films to art house cinema – Durham City has entertainment galore.

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Highlights...

Durham University Botanic GardenDurham University Botanic Garden, Durham CitySet in countryside and mature woodland. Plant collections from North America, Himalayas and China, glasshouse rainforest and desert plants. Six Colin Wilbourne sculptures in landscaped garden.

Crook Hall GardensCrook Hall Gardens, Durham CityThe medieval hall merges into a Jacobean manor house, which in turn merges into a Georgian town house, reflecting its development over the centuries. The Hall provides a spectacular backdrop to the stunning 10-acre gardens, paddock and fields, alongside magnificent views over Durham city.

The Courtyard of Durham Castle, showing the Gatehouse and Great Hall and Garden StairsDurham Castle, Durham CityDurham Castle is part of the Durham City World Heritage Site. Entrance by guided tour only. Opening can vary - All enquiries re guided tours should be directed Palace Green Library. Telephone 0191 334 2932 or castle.tours@durham.ac.uk.

view of Durham Cathedral from River WearDurham Cathedral, Durham CityThought by many to be the finest example of Norman church architecture in England, with the tombs of St Cuthbert and The Venerable Bede. Please check opening times before travelling.

Photography Workshop with Gary LinternDurham Cathedral Tours, Durham CityDiscover the hidden history of Durham Cathedral with one of our regular guided tours. Tours are available Monday to Saturday and last for approximately 1 hour. Tickets can be purchased from the Information Desk at the back of the Cathedral on the day of your visit.

Durham Cathedral riverside in AutumnDurham Cathedral, Durham CityDurham Cathedral has been a place of worship, welcome and hospitality for almost a millennium, inspiring all who come. Built in 1093 to house the Shrine of St Cuthbert, Durham Cathedral is renowned for its magnificent Romanesque architecture and spectacular location at the heart of the Durham World…

Durham Castle ToursDurham Castle, Durham CityDurham Castle is part of the Durham City World Heritage Site. Entrance by guided tour only. Opening can vary - All enquiries re guided tours should be directed Palace Green Library. Telephone 0191 334 2932 or castle.tours@durham.ac.uk.

Fountains at Durham University Botanic GardenDurham University Botanic Garden, Durham CityDon't miss all that the Botanic Garden has to offer, with attractions that appeal to young and old alike. Wander through the Alpine Garden, Winter Garden, Bamboo Grove, Woodland Garden and wild flower meadow.

Family sat in the cloisters at Durham Cathedral Museum Family Fun TrailDurham Cathedral Museum Family Fun Trail - closed until further notice., Durham CityVisiting a large, open space like this exhibition can be quite an experience for toddlers! There are so many exciting things to look at, smells to sniff, activities to try out and tiny steps to walk. We have put together this backpack to help younger visitors explore the exhibition.

Durham Cathedral Tower Durham Cathedral Tower, Durham CityDurham Cathedral Towers Enjoy spectacular views of the historic city of Durham and the surrounding countryside by climbing the cathedral’s Central Towers. Make a climb up the towers, the high point of your visit to Durham Cathedral. Visitors can conquer the 325 steps and enjoy unrivalled views…

What's Nearby

  1. external image of Durham Town Hall

    Durham Town Hall

    The Town Hall has been central to life in Durham city for more than 650 years.  Learn…

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  2. St Nicolas Church

    St Nicholas Church

    The Church in the Marketplace of Durham City.

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  3. Bertie's Play Village

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  1. Prince Bishop River Cruiser and Browns Rowing Boats

    Prince Bishop River Cruiser and Browns Rowing Boats

    The Prince Bishop River Cruiser offers cruises with spectacular views of historic Durham…

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  2. The Courtyard of Durham Castle, showing the Gatehouse and Great Hall and Garden Stairs

    Durham Castle

    Durham Castle is part of the Durham City World Heritage Site. Entrance by guided tour…

    0.11 miles away
  3. Romans on display in the Museum of Archaeology

    Museum of Archaeology

    Enjoy our new special exhibition exploring the rich prehistoric and Roman archaeology and…

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    Palace Green Library

    Palace Green Library, in the heart of Durham city, holds Durham University's special…

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  6. Christchurch Durham

    Christchurch Durham

    Christchurch Durham is an Anglican Evangelical Church in Durham, please see website for…

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  7. St Margaret of Antioch Church

    St Margaret of Antioch Church

    St Margaret of Antioch: a friendly parish church in the heart of Durham. Over many…

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  8. Durham Museum and Heritage Centre

    Durham Museum and Heritage Centre

    Local history museum housed in historic church near cathedral. Tells the story of Durham…

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  9. A gold cross pendant with arms inlaid with precious stones.

    Durham Cathedral Museum

    Explore 2000 years of the North East’s history, culture and faith at Durham Cathedral…

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  10. Photography Workshop with Gary Lintern

    Durham Cathedral Tours

    Discover the hidden history of Durham Cathedral with one of our regular guided tours.…

    0.24 miles away
  11. view of Durham Cathedral from River Wear

    Durham Cathedral

    Thought by many to be the finest example of Norman church architecture in England, with…

    0.24 miles away
  12. Durham Cathedral Tower

    Durham Cathedral Tower

    Durham Cathedral Towers
    Enjoy spectacular views of the historic city of Durham and the…

    0.24 miles away
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