Things to Do in Durham
Durham packs a World Heritage Site, a river walk and a market into a city you can cross on foot. Here is how to spend a day.
The cathedral and the castle
Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle stand together on the peninsula and form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cathedral is one of the finest Norman buildings in Europe and is free to enter, with charges for some extras such as the tower. The castle is part of the university and is visited by guided tour, so check times before you go.
Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle stand together on the peninsula and form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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The riverbank walk
A path follows the River Wear right round the peninsula beneath the cathedral, through woodland and past Prebends Bridge, from where the classic view of the cathedral opens up. It takes about an hour at an easy pace and is the best way to understand how the city fits together. Rowing boats can be hired on the river in the warmer months.
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Somewhere to book a room or a table for the evening, in Durham itself.
The market and the old streets
The Market Place has an indoor market hall, and the streets that climb from it to the cathedral, Saddler Street and Silver Street, are full of small shops and cafes. A slow wander here fills an hour easily.
The Market Place has an indoor market hall, and the streets that climb from it to the cathedral, Saddler Street and Silver Street, are full of small shops and cafes.
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Gardens and green space
The university's Botanic Garden, south of the centre, has glasshouses and woodland trails. Wharton Park, above the station, gives a wide view over the city and the cathedral, and is a good short climb on a clear day.
The university's Botanic Garden, south of the centre, has glasshouses and woodland trails.
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Beyond the city
Beamish, the large open air museum of life in the North East, is a short drive north west and needs most of a day on its own. Newcastle is about a quarter of an hour away by train if you want a bigger city for the evening.
Beamish, the large open air museum of life in the North East, is a short drive north west and needs most of a day on its own.
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Planning a Durham day
Start early at the cathedral, walk the riverbank round the peninsula, then spend the afternoon in the market and the old streets. Wear comfortable shoes for the cobbles and the hills. As everywhere on the site, this guide is for adults aged 18 and over.
Start early at the cathedral, walk the riverbank round the peninsula, then spend the afternoon in the market and the old streets.
- Optional identity check, by a person
- Every photograph reviewed before it goes live
- Free to join, free to list
Places worth knowing in Durham
- Durham CathedralNorman cathedral, part of the World Heritage Site
- Durham CastleVisited by guided tour, part of the university
- Prebends BridgeThe classic view of the cathedral above the river
- Durham Market HallThe indoor market in the Market Place
- Botanic GardenGlasshouses and woodland south of the centre
- BeamishOpen air museum a short drive north west
Frequently asked questions
Entry to the cathedral itself is free, with donations welcome. Some extras, such as the tower climb, have a charge.
About an hour at an easy pace for the loop round the peninsula, longer if you stop for the views.
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