The Durham Travel Guide looks at visitor attractions, places of interest and entertainment and contains useful tourist information for travellers. County Durham is located in the North of England. The area was formerly part of the Northern Kingdom of Northumbria, the area around the border between England and Scotland. County Durham was ruled by its Prince Bishops who contributed to the areas culture and history. The County has some of the best and most unspoilt landscape in the UK, the region is not always at the forefront of tourist’s thoughts when looking for a place to visit in the UK, but those that do visit will find plenty to see and do in the county.
Overview and Attractions
Stanley is situated a short distance from Durham city. This market town is close to Beamish, The North of England Open Air Museum. Also close by is Tanfield Railway, the world's oldest existing railway, opened back in 1725. Close by to Tanfield Railway is Causey Arch, famous as the oldest single span railway bridge in the world, built back in 1725. Sedgefield is a historic village founded in Norman times. It became an important coach centre in the early part of the 19th century, and flourished further by manufacturing agricultural items such as saddlery and straw hats. The medieval Church is a well known complete with its tall tower. One of the main attractions in the village is the racecourse that is used for National Hunt racing. Hardwick Country Park provides a place to indulge in countryside leisure activities.
The District of Easington includes the areas from Sunderland to Hartlepool and within it is the coastline of County Durham, a stunning natural coastline that has much natural beauty for visitors to see. The limestone cliff tops contain a wide array of flora and fauna. Castle Eden Dene is famed for its natural beauty and also being the home of the Angus Butterfly. Walkers can enjoy the coastline here as there are many good walks some of which are lead. Easington has Anglo Saxon churches that date back to the development of Christianity in the region. Easington was famous for deep coal mining, but with these shutting down, has undergone a programme of regeneration. The old colliery villages are being given a second lease of life and offer a great place to stop for walkers and cyclists.
The Durham Dales are part of the North Pennine Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The dales offer some of the UK's finest scenery, boasting a mixture of waterfalls, river valleys, rugged upland and meadows. At High Force, the Tees falls dramatically over boulders for 70 feet to form England's largest waterfall. The remote high Pennies offer some spectacular views over the moorlands.
The City of Durham has been given accredited as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This medieval city is regarded as having outstanding history and heritage of great importance not only nationally but internationally. Durham city is easily navigated by foot; two of the main attractions are Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle that are extremely popular among visitors to the city. This charming city is a compact size, has retained its character and makes for a great place for visitors who like their history and heritage in particular. The famous Durham University here has played a big role in the history of the city. Durham has gained a higher profile in the last few years with its own county cricket team and cricket stadium that stages international matches.
Durham is perhaps most famous for its wonderful Durham Cathedral, it is synonymous with the age of the Prince Bishops. The cathedral was founded back in 995 by monks fleeing from the Danish Vikings, the monks built a church however this was later taken down and the current building began in 1093. The nave has been described as amazing and inspiring; the relatively slender composite piers alternate with massive drum columns. There are innovations present in the building indicating a revolutionary Gothic style, these are ribbed vaults, flying buttresses and pointed arches. The building has been given much critical acclaim and is regarded as displaying among the finest cathedral architecture in the UK. A trip there is a must for visitors to Durham.
Durham's other well known attraction is Durham Castle, began in 1073 to house the Prince Bishops in suitable style. It is mainly a motte and bailey design, the castle has been subject to change over the years. The Norman Chapel within the castle known for its sandstone arches and carved capitals is a wonderful example of Romanesque architecture. In 1837 the castle was granted to Durham University and it now used as a residence for students. Visitors can stay at the castle during the summer university holidays.
Raby Castle is a 14th century castle located in County Durham that has been subject to much alteration to make a comfortable country house in the 18th and 19th centuries. Raby Castle is among the largest and most impressive of English medieval castles, visitors can see its towers, turrets, walls, interiors and artworks from different periods including Medieval, Regency and Victorian. There are still herds of deer that roam around the surrounding parkland; there are ornamental gardens and horse-drawn carriages. You can relax in the tearooms and buy gifts and souvenirs in the gift shop. The Nevill family owned the castle until 1569 and has been home to Lord Barnard's family since 1626.
Beamish - The North of England Open Air Museum is one of the leading tourist attractions in the region. It recreates life in the North of England as it was in the 1800s and 1900s. It vividly recreates the way people lived, the environment they lived in and visitors will be greeted by costumed staff welcoming them to the turn of the century town with shops, houses, working pub, newspaper office, garage, sweetshop and sweet factory. There are guided tours available and these are given underground at a real "drift" mine in the Colliery Village and pit cottages shows how the pitmen used to live. Home Farm displays the traditional breeds of livestock and poultry and a farmhouse kitchen. The Railway Station has locomotives and rolling stock. Pockerley Manor and Horse Yard are based on a fortified manor house and shows how a yeoman farming family would have lived. This is a fascinating place to visit bringing the past back to life.
There are fine gardens to see at the Durham University Botanic Gardens. There are plants to see here from all over the world including from Japan, China, South Africa, New Zealand and Chile to name but a few. There is a woodland garden, alpine garden and bamboo grove. The glasshouses contain a collection of tropical rainforests and desert plants. There are also various artwork pieces around the gardens to enjoy. The coffee shop offers a wide selection of drinks both hot and cold and snacks, and there are a range of gifts and souvenirs available. The garden centre is a venue for talks and seminars on a variety of horticultural subjects and acts as a showcase for the work of local artists and photographers. The 18 acre garden is set amongst mature woodlands on the south of Durham City.
Theatrical entertainment is on show at the Durham Musical Theatre Company. Based in Durham the company perform at the Gala Theatre usually twice a year in February and June. The company has a long history and was founded back in 1908, they are among the longest established theatre companies in the area, in that time there have been over 100 productions in total. There are a wide range of musical theatre productions and the shows have been ever popular.
The Seven Stars Inn is a traditional English country Inn that dates back to 1724. The Inn is located on the edge of Shincliffe village, a short distance from Durham city centre. There is a warm friendly atmosphere for visitors and there is a traditional restaurant where you can try the freshly prepared food and relax with fine wines or real ale in front of the fire in the cosy lounge or bar. There is also accommodation available here, the location makes it ideal for those visiting Durham city and the surrounding areas. It is a great place to start a journey in England's North East.
Hollathan’s are a group of cafe bars with one located in the heart of Durham city. The bars have an emphasis on a good range of foods and beverages and having state of the art music and lighting systems. The venues are contemporary in design and mean you can dine in comfort in addition you can have a great time dancing too. There is a friendly atmosphere at the bars that have become popular over the past decade.
There are a number of restaurants to choose from in Durham, one worth trying is Oldfield Restaurant is located in Durham and offers diners a relaxing dining experience. There is good quality food on the menu at good value prices. The interior is welcoming and stylish and the restaurant provides a great place to chill out, relax and enjoy a great meal. The Durham restaurant is split into two parts, a ground floor contemporary lounge restaurant and a first floor restaurant. The premises are believed to have been built back in the 1880's giving the place a historical backdrop.
The restaurant also caters for private parties, functions and special occasions. The informal restaurant downstairs is set among a bar and makes for a nice place to relax and enjoy the food and drink on offer. The restaurant has a fine reputation and offers the best in English cuisine with fresh locally sourced ingredients including organic.
County Durham has plenty to offer visitors, whilst not being among the best known and recognised tourist areas; it is a great place for the discerning visitor who wishes to see the history, culture and natural beauty of the North English countryside. The location in the North East of England mean it can be used as a base in which to explore a number of areas in England of interest to tourists, from here you can easily explore Northumberland with Tyne and Wear, the Lake District is within reach as is neighbouring Yorkshire.
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
