Durham's Delights

The Cathedral, Castle and Palace Green are amazing. You cannot travel to Durham without seeing them up close.

Quick Tips:

Loads of nice little cafes in the main streets.

Best Way To Get Around:

Walk around, its not a very big town.

Shaheens is probably the best Indian restaurant in Durham. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. The food is good and reasonably priced. Its selection is good and the facilities/environment welcoming.

It is situated on the Bailey in Durham, which is the road that runs behind Palace Green and so it is near all the big sights.

If you ever visit Durham you cannot fail to notice the magnificent Cathedral. Even as you journey in on the train you can see its immensity towering imperiously over the little town at its foot. Britain has plenty of glorious Cathedrals, but I think the setting of Durham's is superior to them all.

Durham Cathedral was commenced in 1093 and completed by 1130. It is regarded as the definitive building of the Anglo-Norman Romanesque architecture. At over 400 feet it is somewhat overpowering.

The Cathedral stands on a meander in the river Wear. The river Wear actually flows 30ft below, making the Cathedral appear to stand on a cliff. Around the Cathedral is a beatiful green and a castle. These are also well worth a visit.

Durham Cathedral is famous since it houses the relics of St Cuthbert, the evangelist of Northumbria, and the Venerable Bede.

The Cathedral has a lot to it. Firstly, there are many fine examples of stained glass all around, and some modern ones. Particularly worth seeing is the fine west window.

The Treasures is an area that houses the shrine to 7th century St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne. Notably they include his cross and coffin. They also tell you the story of the Cathedral from ancient to modern times.

The Monk's Dormitory now houses part of the Cathedral Library. You can still get a feel for how the monks used to sleep here during the Middle Ages, and there is a brilliant oak beam roof.

One of the best things to do at the Cathedral is to climb the tower. There are 325 steps to climb onto the roof of one of the tower, so be prepared. From here you can see all of Durham, the only shame being that the Cathedral is obviously not in your view. At only a couple of pounds it's a must.

Additionally, the Cathedral houses a Christian bookshop that is in one of the old kitchens. The room itself is delightful, and it has many books on local history.

The Cathedral is huge. It can fit probably 5000 people and still have plenty of space. The whole building has a grand feeling. You can quite happily spend several hours here just admiring its grandeur.

Across the green from Durham Cathedral is Durham Castle. It dates from 1072 and was the seats of the Prince Bishops, the powerful rulers of the north, until 1832. It is one of the largest Norman castles and Romanesque palaces to survive in England and is a World Heritage Site. It was originally a motte and bailey castle but has been considerably extended into a lavish residence.

What is particularly interesting about its current use is that it was one of the founding colleges of the University of Durham, and now houses academics. The Castle was transferred to the University at the death of Bishop Van Mildert in 1836, and the Prince Bishops official residence moved to Auckland Castle nearby.

As a University college, the students are have turned one of the cellars into a bar, providing great atmosphere. The quad is still central to the Castle. Those students who are lucky enough to get a room on the hill are treated with a magnificent view of Palace Green leading to the Cathedral.

You can get guided tours of the Castle in tourist season, but it is also used as a choice conference venue.

Palace Green is the large section of lawn that sits between the Castle and Cathedral in Durham. Whilst there's not much to it, its surroundings make it a place to visit.

On the other sides of the Green are a law library and a nice little cafe adjoined to the law faculty for Durham University.

In summer months there is the ocassional game of croquet on the lawn, but in general you're not allowed on it.

St Nick's Church is an active church and stands in the centre of Durham, just down from the the Cathedral.

The original church stood on the north side of the square but was a plain structure. This was replaced by the current handsome structure in 1858. It is built of stone, and consists of a nave and a chancel, each with a north and south aisle. The tower, through which is the main entrance, stands on the south side of the building, and is terminated by a fine spire 160 feet high.

Inside is a very modern church, with good lighting and the stage in the middle as opposed to being at the end.

Adjoined to the church is a decent little shop which does the usual sort of church wares.

The market square itself is pleasant but always bustling. You're surrounded by shops, and an archway leads off into the market proper.

The area can be regarded as the heart of Durham, and you cannot fail to pass through as you tour the town.