Durham City is extremely interesting to the visitor for many reasons. It is regarded as the historic capital of North East England, as an important centre for culture and learning and, not least, as an area of great natural beauty.
I got off at Durham... and fell in love with it instantly in a serious way. Why, it's wonderful - a perfect little city.... If you have never been to Durham, go there at once. Take my car. It's wonderful."
Bill Bryson, Notes from a Small Island, 1995 |
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Durham City is extremely interesting to the visitor for many reasons. It is regarded as the historic capital of North East England, as an important centre for culture and learning and, not least, as an area of great natural beauty
Durham's historic significance is inexorably linked with its acknowledgement as the 'cradle of Christianity' in England. St Cuthbert lived at Lindisfarne Priory on Holy Island, off the Northumberland coast, until his death in 687. His remains were so venerated that, when the Danes sacked Lindisfarne, the monks left the island to seek a safe sanctuary for their relics.
In 995 the monks arrived on Durham's rocky peninsula and were persuaded that this would be an appropriate site for the shrine. Thus the first church was built, probably a stark wooden structure, on the site occupied today by the awe-inspiring Durham Cathedral - for many the world's finest Norman cathedral - now acknowledged, together with Durham Castle, as a World Heritage Site.
The castle was founded soon after the Norman Conquest and has been occupied continuously since then, albeit with several changes of role.
The castle shows the 'motte and bailey' pattern of a typical Norman fortress and the original Norman chapel and undercroft of the Great Hall still survive.
Despite Durham's apparent geographical seclusion and wealth of historic interest, the City is by no means 'behind the times' in any other sense.
The pervading atmosphere is that of a bustling market town.
Two minutes' walk from the cathedral is the Millburngate Shopping Centre, with a wide selection of high-street retailers.
Durham has a superb choice of restaurants and a full range of accommodation, from modern first-class hotels to a top-grade caravan park.Sport and leisure facilities are plentiful too.
For the more energetic visitor there are five multi-purpose sports centres in the district.
Those who prefer spectator sports are spoilt for choice: the country's top cross-country events have recently been held in Durham and more than 300 rowing crews compete in the annual Regatta - reputedly the second-oldest event of its kind in the world. Durham is now also ranked among first-class county cricket teams.
Another 'best' relating to Durham is more 'down-to-earth' - horticultural, in fact. In both 1990 and 1991 Durham was voted 'Best City' in the regional heat of the Britain in Bloom competition.
Easily accessible by road, rail and air, Durham makes a good base from which to explore the beautiful surrounding countryside, or perhaps to visit one of the many notable attractions in the region, including Raby Castle, the Beamish North of England Open-Air Museum and the Bowes Museum near Barnard Castle.There are many reasons for visiting Durham. Choose any - once there, you will enjoy discovering the others for yourself.
Today’s City
Durham is a compact city yet offers a wide range of facilities. A wide range of shops and restaurants co-exist happily with the Victorian Market. Much of Durham’s shopping area is closed to traffic, making for a more relaxed atmosphere. Take time to sit in the cobbled Market Place and enjoy some of the street entertainment, particularly during July and August. The monthly Farmers’ Market is a welcome new addition to the events calendar. Here you will find fresh local specialities to take back home. In the Spring and Summer, stunning floral displays adorn the City for which Durham regularly wins prizes. |
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Yet within minutes, it is possible to escape the bustle of this thriving market town by taking one of the many paths that lead down to the riverbanks. Watch the river for rowers from one of the university teams, or take the ‘Prince Bishop’ river cruiser for a gentle trip along the river with stunning views.
The Racecourse backs on to the River Wear and is a favourite area for walks. Horse races have not been held here since the 19th century, however the country’s top athletics cross-country event is now a regular fixture here and attracts the best runners in the world.
For over a century the Miners’ Gala has taken place here on the second Saturday in July. Despite the closure of all pits in County Durham, ex-miners, their families and friends still gather to hear speeches, socialise and attend a special service in the Cathedral. Colliery bands lead processions and banners are proudly paraded through the streets.
The stretch of river by the Racecourse is well known for the annual Durham Regatta which is held in June. The regatta was founded in its present form in 1834, making it the second oldest in the country, even older than Henley. The Regatta has grown enormously in recent years, attracting over 600 crews from all over the world.
Work has started on a major new development in the City centre: The Durham Millennium City Project. By 2002, the city will boast: a new multi-purpose hall for concerts, drama and conferences - The Gala Theatre, a Visitor Centre showing a film about the history of Durham as well as a new Tourist Information Centre and craft workshops.
A further development, Walkergate, next to the Millennium City project, will add further leisure facilities: a multiplex cinema; health and fitness club; family entertainment centre, as well as cafés, bars and restaurants.
Further Afield
Dozens of regional attractions are easily reached from Durham, making it an ideal touring base. The largest open-air museum in England is to be found at Beamish where you can see life as it was at the beginning of the last century. Fine art treasures can be seen at the John and Josephine Bowes Museum, a French-style chateau in Barnard Castle. Combine funfairs and shopping, all undercover, at Metroland, the biggest indoor theme park in Europe and the MetroCentre, a huge shopping centre. Both are in Gateshead, half an hour by car from Durham. Look out for the Angel of the North above the motorway - a huge welded structure which has become a symbol of the region.
Contact Durham Tourist Information Centre for more information about places to visit in and around Durham, including the free publication ‘Days out from Durham City’.
Tourist Information Centre,
2 Millennium Place,
Durham,
DH1 1WA
Tel: (0191) 384 3720
Fax: (0191) 386 3015
email: touristinfo@durhamcity.gov.uk
Visist these sites for further Information.
http://www.durhamtourism.co.uk/
http://www.durhamcity.gov.uk/
http://www.thenortheast.fsnet.co.uk/DurhamCityHistory.htm
http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/durham-cathedral.html |
