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You are here > Home > Inspire Me > Durham's Unmissable Highlights > Fascinating Facts

Fascinating Facts

With a history as rich and varied as Durham's there's bound to be a quirky story here and there!

  • Durhams top 10 facts

    Sanctuary Knocker

    On the main door of Durham Cathedral is the Sanctuary Knocker (a replica now, the original is in the Durham Cathedral Treasures of St Cuthbert). Any fugitives who grasped the knocker were granted sanctuary for 37 days. They could then either face their accusers or be given safe conduct to the coast.

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  • Durhams top 10 facts -Barnard Castle

    Charles Dickens

    Charles Dickens stayed in Barnard Castle when collecting material for ‘Nicholas Nickleby’, whilst William Shaw’s Academy in Bowes, now a private house, was a model for the infamous Dotheboys Hall.

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  • Durhams top 10 views

    Mrs Clements

    Durham City saw the birth of modern English mustard when one Mrs Clements (her first name has been lost in the mists of time) hit upon the idea of grinding mustard seeds like flour at a mill in Sadler Street. This new style of mustard quickly received Royal approval from King George I ensuring Mrs Clements’ success. Through the marriage of Mrs Clements’ daughter, the business passed to the Ainsley family who sold out to the Colemans of Norwich in the early 20th Century. While mustard is no lo

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  • Durhams top 10 views

    Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site

    Durham's Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site was one of the very 1st to be designated, along with the Taj Mahal and Palace of Versailles.

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  • Durhams top 10 views

    The Bowes Museum

    The Bowes Museum houses a 230-year-old musical automaton in the form of a life-size Silver The Bowes MuseumSwan, which plays every day to fascinated onlookers.

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  • Durhams top 10 facts

    Durham Regatta

    Known as “the Henley of the North”, Durham Regatta actually pre-dates its southern counterpart by five years. Foundered in its present form in 1834 by Durham University, Durham School and Durham Boat Club, oarsmen from the Tyne, Wear and Tees were invited to take part in the three-day festival.

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  • Durhams top 10 films

    Raby Castle

    The Medieval kitchen at Raby Castle was still in use until 1954.

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  • Durhams top 10 views

    Causey Arch

    Causey Arch is the world’s oldest surviving railway bridge, built in 1725-1726 by a local stonemason.

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  • World Cup in West Auckland

    First World Cup

    In 1909 an amateur football team from West Auckland won the first World Cup, beating FC Winterthour of Switzerland. They repeated their success in 1911, thrashing Juventus 6-1. The legend of West Auckland’s World Cup success was made into a 1982 film, ‘The Captain's Tale’, starring Dennis Waterman.

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  • Durhams top 10 treasures

    Durham University Oriental Museum

    Durham University Oriental Museum is the only museum in the north of Britain dedicated solely to the art and archaeology of the Orient - and home to an Egyptian cat's coffin.

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