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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
  • Durham City
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  • Durham Cathedral
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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 and Keep of Durham Castle,Durham 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…

Exterior of Durham Castle including Courtyard and KeepDurham 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.

Four children laughing and jumping in the air in front of a pond at Durham University Botanic Garden. Durham University Botanic Garden, Durham CityDurham University's 10-hectare Botanic Garden is set amongst beautiful mature woodlands on the southern outskirts of Durham city. Open to the public, the Botanic Garden offers a wide variety of landscapes to explore and discover, with guests young and old visiting throughout the year.

Durham Cathedral Tower Durham Cathedral Tower, Durham CityEnjoy spectacular views of the historic city of Durham and the surrounding countryside by climbing the cathedral’s Central Tower. 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 over historic Durham City…

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…

    0.01 miles away
  2. St Nicolas Church

    St Nicholas Church

    The Church in the Marketplace of Durham City.

    0.03 miles away
  3. Bertie's Play Village at Prince Bishops Place

    Bertie's Play Village

    Bertie's Play Village is a children’s stay-and-play facility that offers children,…

    0.06 miles away
  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…

    0.08 miles away
  2. The Courtyard and Keep of Durham Castle,

    Durham Castle

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

    0.11 miles away
  3. YuMe World Durham

    YuMe World Durham

    Get ready for an extraordinary arcade experience at YuMe World Durham.

    0.13 miles away
  4. Romans on display in the Museum of Archaeology

    Museum of Archaeology at Palace Green Library

    Much of Durham’s history lies beneath our feet. Sometimes we can catch a glimpse of the…

    0.15 miles away
  5. Image of Palace Green Library's exterior on a sunny day.

    Historic Libraries & Archives at Palace Green Library

    Over almost two centuries since Durham University was founded, our library and archive…

    0.17 miles away
  6. A couple looking at exhibitions inside Durham Cathedral Museum

    Durham Cathedral Museum

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

    0.23 miles away
  7. 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
  8. Durham Cathedral Tower

    Durham Cathedral Tower

    Enjoy spectacular views of the historic city of Durham and the surrounding countryside by…

    0.24 miles away
  9. 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
  10. st mary the less

    St Mary The Less Church

    The Chapel for St John's College, serving part of the small parishes of the Peninsula.…

    0.41 miles away
  11. coached sports session Durham city Wharton park family fun

    Wharton Park

    This VisitEngland accredited attraction Wharton Park commands spectacular views across…

    0.41 miles away
  12. st oswalds church

    St Oswald's Church

    St Oswald’s is an Anglican church in the centre of the beautiful university and cathedral…

    0.43 miles away
  13. St Giles Church Durham City

    St Giles Church

    St. Giles’ has been a place for people to meet and worship for over 900 years.…

    0.49 miles away
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