Durham is the ideal city for a 1–2-day trip as part of a tour of the north of England. Many travellers combine a trip to Durham with a visit to Hadrian’s Wall and Newcastle.

Book a train ticket to Durham

Sights and history

Although the town is very small, it’s definitely worth a visit thanks to its two monumental medieval landmarks.

Discover one of the largest Romanesque Christian buildings in England and visit the 11th-century Durham Cathedral.

Directly opposite the cathedral stands the12th-century Durham Castle, which serves as student accommodation, but you can also book a guided tour there.

Enjoy the views of the city

The city centre is situated on a peninsula formed by the deep gorge of the River Wear, which flows through the whole of Durham and creates ideal topographical conditions for numerous vantage points.

The best views of the cathedral and the city centre are from Mountjoy Hill on the eastern edge of the city or from Wharton Park near the railway station.

However, the undisputed best view is from the cathedral’s 66-metre-high tower, which you can climb via 325 steps for a fee of 10 gbp.

Hire a rowing boat

Experience Durham from a unique perspective and explore the city directly from the surface of the River Wear.

There is a rowing club operating under Elvet Bridge in the city centre, where you can hire a small boat.

The hire price for 1 hour is 10 gbp.

Walks along the river

The River Wear offers the perfect setting for leisurely and easy walks in beautiful surroundings.

The riverside walk runs the entire length of the River Wear through the centre of Durham, taking in the historic city centre with its many restaurants and cafés, as well as parks and woodland areas.