Durham Cathedral
Celebrated, together with Durham Castle, as one of Britain's
first UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Durham Cathedral is one of the
finest examples of Norman architecture in England. Building began
on the church in 1093, and it was largely completed after about 40
years. An icon of northeast England, the cathedral was voted as the
nation's best-loved building in a nationwide BBC poll held in 2001.
Renowned for its immense architecture, ancient history and deep
religious roots, the cathedral is a must-see attraction for any
visitor to Durham. Guided tours are conducted daily, and offer an
informative and enriching way to explore the magnificent
structure.
Durham Castle and Cathedral
Neitram
Durham Heritage Centre
Durham's colourful local history museum is housed in a medieval
church, offering some interactive, fun and interesting exhibits
that detail the story of Durham, from ancient times to the present
day. Situated close to the UNESCO-listed cathedral and castle, the
Durham Heritage Centre contains a varied collection of artefacts.
Exhibits include fascinating items like the 'Death Chair', used to
carry sick boys from Durham School to the infirmary in days of
yore, and a chilling recreation of a cell from the notorious
Northgate Gaol. The Heritage Centre also has a brass-rubbing centre
and offers an audio-visual show of the history of the town. A
highly recommended attraction, budget at least two hours to take it
all in.
Durham Heritage Centre
Jungpionier
Fowlers Yard Creative Workspaces
A row of stables along the River Wear close to the historic
heart of Durham has been converted into a set of creative
workspaces, where local artists can be seen at work. Visitors can
watch crafts like woodcarving, glasswork, painting, micro brewing,
embroidery and textile arts in progress. Fowler's Yard is run by
the Durham Dramatic Society and is an exciting initiative, bringing
international attention to Durham's hard-at-work local artists.
There is also a coffee shop, where tourists can relax and soak up
the wonderful atmosphere of the area. There is no charge for
entrance and even if you don't but anything watching the work in
progress is interesting.
An artist at work
Neil T
Crook Hall
Durham's beautiful, Grade 1-listed medieval manor house, Crook
Hall, dates from around the 13th century, and is a short distance
from the town centre. The house and magnificent gardens are open to
the public, and cream teas are served in a pretty courtyard in
summer, or in front of a roaring log fire in winter. Most visitors
are intrigued by the 17th-century Jacobean room in the house,
allegedly haunted by the ghost of the 'White Lady', a niece of a
former resident of the house. Crook Hall is one of Durham's most
popular attractions and the old family house has charm and
character as well as historical appeal. As the gardens are one of
the chief attractions there is a discounted ticket price in
winter.
Crook Hall
Les Hull
Durham Castle
Few buildings in the world can claim to have been in constant
use for more than 900 years, but the UNESCO World Heritage Site of
Durham Castle is one of them. It was originally built in the 11th
century (opposite Durham Cathedral), to protect the bishop from
'barbaric northern tribes' in the wake of the Norman Conquest of
1066. Over the centuries the core of the ancient castle remained
intact, but there have been numerous renovations and extensions.
The castle's aspect today is imposing. The Great Hall is one of the
largest in Britain, created by Bishop Antony Bek in the 14th
century. Since 1840, when the bishop moved elsewhere, it has housed
a college of Durham University. Visitors are welcome to a guided
tour, lasting about 45 minutes.
Durham Castle
Robin Widdison
Durham has a temperate climate with lower than average rainfall
compared to the rest of England and four distinct seasons. Summer
weather (June to August) in Durham is generally warm and sunny, and
winters (December to February) are cool with occasional snowfall.
July and August are the most popular months to visit Durham, when
temperatures range between 52°F (11°C) and 68°F (20°C), but they
are also the wettest months of the year. Spring also sees plenty of
tourists, with average daytime highs hovering around 57°F (14°C),
as does autumn when temperatures are similar, with October usually
the driest month. Average winter temperatures range from 37°F (3°C)
to 46°F (8°C).
Durham Tees Valley Airport
Location: Durham Tees Valley Airport is located just east of
Darlington, North East England.
Time: GMT (GMT +1 between the last Sunday in March and
the Saturday before the last Sunday in October).
Getting to the city:
Arriva Bus 12 operates from the airport to Darlington, from
there passengers can catch trains to Durham, Newcastle, and
York.
Car Rental:
Avis, Europcar, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz operate car hire
facilities at the airport.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are located directly outside the terminal building.
Facilities:
Airport facilities include ATMs, baby-changing stations,
first-aid facilities, as well as shopping and dining
facilities.
Parking
Short-stay parking is free for three hours, £5 for up to eight
hours, £12 for up to 10 hours, £20 for twelve hours, and £23 for 24
hours. Long-term parking is available, however it is advisable to
pre-book via the airport website.
Durham's medieval character has been carefully
preserved, making today's city a compact living museum with a wide
range of modern facilities. Most of the city centre is
pedestrianised, with life centred on the cobbled Market Place,
where street entertainers provide amusement and modern shops and
restaurants trade happily alongside the old Victorian Market.
Along the riverbanks, which border the town on three
sides, meandering paths and river cruisers provide a peaceful
alternative to sightseeing and shopping. The Sarah P. Duke Gardens
also offer a lovely setting for picnics and strolls.
The main sightseeing attractions of the city are
Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral, jointly declared a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, and the many beautiful historic old buildings of
Durham University.
Other worthwhile attractions include the Museum of
Life and Science, the medieval manor house of Crook Hall, and the
Durham Heritage Centre, which introduces visitors to the
fascinating history of the old city. Those wanting to buy crafts or
witness local artists in action should head down to the interesting
selection of studios along the river which collectively form
Fowlers Yard Creative Workspaces.