Durham Attractions

Book a Durham hotel and explore one of the prettiest cities in the North East. Durham’s high points are its castle and cathedral, founded to entomb St Cuthbert, or Cuddy as he is affectionately known in these parts.

Historic Durham

Bill Bryson loved 11th-century Durham Cathedral so much he offered to lend his car to anyone wanting to visit it. Voted by Radio 4 listeners as the most popular building in Britain, the tomb of the Venerable Bede is also here. On a Durham Castle tour, part of Durham University, the third oldest seat of learning in the country, you’ll learn about its former residents and see some dinky children’s armour.

Art and museums in Durham

The Oriental Museum houses thousands of Asian objects from jade jewellery to Japanese dolls. Field Marshal Montgomery said of the Durham Light Infantry, “There may be some regiments as good but I know of none better.” Its history dating back to 1758 is told at the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Art Gallery where there are also temporary contemporary art exhibits.

Quirky things to do in Durham

Can he fix it? Yes he can. Kids can play Bob the Builder behind the controls of real JCBs at Diggerland.

Events in Durham

Book a Durham hotel in July and catch the Miners’ Gala, when Lenin-bedecked union banners are paraded through city streets to the accompaniment of brass bands and political speeches from the likes of Billy Bragg. On other side of the spectrum Pimm’s drinkers line the riverbank during the Durham Regatta, running since 1834. There’s also a riverside vintage car rally.

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