Quick Summary: Durham is a beautiful historic city in northeast England, just a few hours ride from London. The River Wear loops around the magnificent Romanesque Durham Cathedral and Norman Durham Castle, now home to the Durham University. North of the castle is the medieval Crook Hall with beautiful gardens and a maze. South of the river is the Durham University Botanic Garden with woodland and greenhouses with tropical plants. The best way to explore this ancient city is by taking one of the walking tours, or stroll along the river on the Durham Riverside Walk trail.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

Durham Cathedral

© stocksolutions/stock.adobe.com

Beamish - The Living Museum of the North

© Beamish – The Living Museum of the North

Hardwick Park

© Hardwick Park

Durham Castle

© suziwheatley/stock.adobe.com

Durham Town Hall

© Visit County Durham

Durham University Botanic Garden

© ileana_bt/stock.adobe.com

Durham University Museum of Archaeology

© Durham University Museum of Archaeology

Wharton Park

© robertuzhbt89/stock.adobe.com

Auckland Castle

© leslie sanders/stock.adobe.com

Hamsterley Forest

© Mike/stock.adobe.com

High Force Waterfall

© Connor/stock.adobe.com

Palace Green Library

© Palace Green Library

Walking tour of Durham

© csbphoto/stock.adobe.com

Diggerland

© Diggerland

Crook Hall & Gardens

© Crook Hall & Gardens

Old Durham Gardens

© Taweechai/stock.adobe.com

The Bowes Museum

© The Bowes Museum

Durham Riverside Walk

© SakhanPhotography/stock.adobe.com

Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Read our Reservations & Travel Planning Tips guide.