Durham, United Kingdom

Things to do

2 days in Durham

Day 1

  1. MorningVisit Durham Cathedral, a masterpiece of Norman architecture and home to St. Cuthbert's tomb.
  2. AfternoonTour the castle, now a university college, then walk the cobbled market place.
  3. EveningWalk the riverside path around the wooded peninsula at dusk.

Day 2

Visit Hadrian's Wall or the Beamish open-air museum.

What to eat

A stottie cake sandwich, a northern bread.

Local tips

Make the most of Durham

Beat the crowds

Durham is calm. The cathedral is quietest in the morning.

Best photo spot

The cathedral and castle above the river, from the Prebends Bridge.

Getting there

Trains from London and Edinburgh stop at Durham. The centre is small and walkable.

Don't miss nearby

Hadrian's Wall, about an hour away.

Good to know

The cathedral is one of the finest Norman buildings in Europe. The riverside paths are lovely for a walk.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Durham

Our most hidden places around Durham: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Durham to take with you.

69 km away
97 km away
100 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Durham

Getting there

  • Newcastle Airport (NCL)30 km away
  • York95 km away
  • Manchester150 km away

The centre is best explored on foot. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeCity
Good forOld towns & architecture
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryUnited Kingdom

Questions

Durham: good to know

Is Durham worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns. A cathedral and castle on a wooded river bend.

How many days do you need in Durham?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Durham?

You can visit all year. Durham is calm. The cathedral is quietest in the morning.

How do you get to Durham?

The nearest airport is Newcastle Airport (NCL), about 30 km away. Trains from London and Edinburgh stop at Durham. The centre is small and walkable.

What is there to see near Durham?

Nearby hidden places include York (96 km), Hebden Bridge (118 km) and Manchester (150 km).

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