7 Top Things To Do in Durham
There’s all sorts to do in Durham. Durham Cathedral, the last resting place of St Cuthbert, and Norman Durham Castle were together named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. A further 500 or so listed buildings make the city-centre conservation area a dream for architecture and history buffs. It’s definitely worth checking out St Oswald’s Church, and the stately 14th-century interior of Durham Town Hall too.
Walks in Wharton Park and along the River Wear both have great views of the city, while a visitor centre in Palace Green Library is full of information on all the best places to explore, including details of walking tours and guided tours.
For centuries, Durham’s Prince Bishops ruled as virtual kings in exchange for protecting the country from Scottish invaders. In nearby Bishop Auckland, Auckland Palace is a grand testament to their influence. Also within easy reach of town are the atmospheric remains of 12th-century Finchale Priory and Raby Castle, a medieval stronghold set in 200 acres of parkland. And of course, to the west of the city you can walk for miles in the glorious Durham Dales.
With all this waiting for you, there’s no time to waste, so read on for Pitchup’s top seven things to do in Durham. If you’re planning on staying around this lovely old city for a while, we also have an impressive list of outdoor accommodation to choose from, whether you’re looking for shepherd’s huts with views over the dales or tent pitches on a remote farm.
Durham Cathedral
The best example of Norman architecture in the UK, Durham Cathedral contains the relics of no less than three saints – Cuthbert, Bede and Oswald. Renowned for its Romanesque features and fabulous vaulted ceilings, the cathedral's highlights include the medieval wall paintings in Galilee Chapel, home to the tomb of St Bede the Venerable, and a stunning Rose Window above the Gothic Chapel of the Nine Altars. The cloister doubled as Hogwarts courtyard in the Harry Potter films, while the Monks’ Dormitory and Great Kitchen are reminders of the building’s history as a centre for Benedictine monks.
Two guided tours of the cathedral run every weekday, with one on Saturday. There’s also an interactive on-site museum with artefacts and audiovisual displays documenting the building’s history, and you can climb the 325 steps to the top of the tower for breathtaking city views.
Durham Castle
This Norman hilltop castle was once the residence of Durham’s all-powerful Prince Bishops, and its grassy precinct and historic outbuildings reflect their privileged status. It has been one of Durham University’s Colleges since 1837, but you can still take in the 11th-century chapel, the Tunstall Gallery and the Great Hall through guided tours of the castle.
Good to know: please note parts of the castle tour are not accessible to wheelchairs or prams.
Palace Green Library
Set on a grassy quadrangle with views of the castle, Palace Green Library is a collection of buildings that form part of Durham University. Together they are home to the Museum of Archaeology featuring local prehistoric and Roman artefacts, and the DLI Collection Gallery relating the story of the Durham Light Infantry, a local army regiment who fought in battles from Napoleonic times until World War II. Look out for the gargoyles on the building too, which were given the faces of university staff in the 19th century.
Conveniently, the library also houses the Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre, a one-stop shop for information on Durham and its history as well as all the attractions to explore around the city.
Durham Dales
Hikers and cyclists are big fans of this huge expanse of heather-covered moorland, undulating hills, reservoirs and river valleys, dotted with country pubs and quiet villages. The Durham Dales offer more than 30 miles of cycling trails in Hamsterley Forest, riverside ruins at Egglestone Abbey and Barnard Castle, and an impressive European art collection at the Bowes Museum. With a little digging you can find places to fish for trout, trek with alpacas or watch falconry displays.
If you want to take it all in with a little less effort, take a ride on the Weardale Railway, where vintage carriages are pulled by heritage trains. Spectacular waterfalls include the mighty High Force just outside Forest-in-Teesdale, and the dales have 12 Dark Skies Discovery Sites – bliss for any budding astronomers…
If you’d rather head coastward than into the Durham Dales, here are five of the best beaches near Durham.
Auckland Palace
Set in formal gardens and parkland overlooking the River Wear and 20 minutes’ drive from Durham city centre, Auckland Palace became the residence of Durham’s Prince Bishops when they moved to be closer to their rural hunting estates. Filled with art and ornate period furnishings, the opulent Throne Room has been restored to its original Georgian-Gothic design. St Peter’s Chapel is home to a decorative ceiling and elaborate wood carvings, and the Bishop Trevor Gallery stages art exhibitions.
Outside, you can wander formal grounds dotted with follies, fish ponds and bridges, and there are weekly guided garden tours. The palace is surrounded by 150 acres of parkland, where you can roam along woodland and waterside footpaths for free and keep an eye out for the deer herd.
Good to know: The palatial Gothic Revival-style Deer House, built in the 1760s to shelter the herd, is surely the grandest animal-feeding station you’ll ever come across.
Finchale Priory
Only five miles from Durham and free to explore, the spectacular remains of the English Heritage-owned Finchale Priory (it’s pronounced “finkle”) sit in woodland alongside the River Wear. A stroll around its well-preserved walls and towers, complete with carved stone pillars and arched windows, reveals the ruins of the original chapel, built by St Godric, a notorious 11th-century sailor and pilgrim, whose grave can still be seen in the riverbank. Construction of the property by the Benedictine order began in the 13th century to honour Godric; it functioned until 1538, when it was destroyed in the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII.
If you’re feeling fit, it’s a pleasant walk or cycle ride here from the city centre – just follow the river. If walking’s your idea of time well spent, here’s a guide to the 10 Best Scenic Walks in Durham.
Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
Half an hour’s drive from Durham, Raby Castle is awash with crenellated towers, turrets and battlements. It started life in the 14th century; built by the powerful Neville family, it remained their home for 200 years. Inside, you can admire immaculately recreated medieval, Regency and Victorian interiors filled with art, furniture, tapestries and sculpture. The Coach House has been transformed into an upmarket gift shop selling local crafts, and The Vinery café with seasonal menus. It’s also a repository of historic equestrian equipment and an interactive model of the sprawling Raby Estate hewn from a massive slab of oak.
Outside, beyond the five acres of walled ornamental gardens, you can join the herds of red and fallow deer to roam the peaceful 200-acre estate. The Plotters’ Forest adventure playground is tucked into the woods for kids, and you can hire bikes to explore further afield.
Good to know: the dramatic waterfall at High Force is part of the Raby Estate, but it’s half an hour’s drive away from the castle and not in the grounds.
Do you fancy a weekend break in Durham? There’s certainly plenty to do – just take a look at Pitchup’s area guides to North East England. Looking for a place to stay? Pitchup has an extensive range of outdoor accommodation at all price points – from adults-only glamping to seaside holiday parks with swimming pools and family-friendly campsites deep in the Durham Dales.