Durham in General

When you hear about the city of Durham it is often combined with the word 'historic', and historic it is. In its history, it describes how a resting place was sought by a religious group for the body of St. Cuthbert of Lindisfarne. The place chosen was on a hill almost completely surrounded by the River Wear. The body was kept in a wooden, then stone church before King William decided that it was an ideal location to defend from the Scots. The Cathedral was built as a monumental shrine for St. Cuthbert and the castle was built for the previously mentioned defence and also to protect the cathedral. The result is one of the most stunning pieces of ...  Read the complete review

I LOVE Durham! I might be slightly biased though. As my user name suggests, I'm from Durham. I've lived here all my life and I can honestly say I love it here! Durham is a really picturesque city with lots of amazing views, walks and things to do, the most obvious attraction being Durham Cathedral, known as The Cathedral to the locals, or to give it it's full name; The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham. Along with Durham Castle, The Cathedral is perched on the highest point in the city inside a loop of the River Wear. It was built on this spot as it was an ideal position to defend against ...  Read the complete review

"Why it is a perfect little city - if you haven't been, then go there today. Take my car!" wrote Bill Bryson in his best-selling Notes from a Small Island. It was this quote more than anything else that first made me want to go to Durham, when I read it a few years ago - it was one of the most highly praised locations in the book, and instantly made it somewhere I wanted to go. In the end I did get to visit the city... and ended up staying there for three years while I was an undergraduate! Durham is very small as cities go, and it is classed as such by the presence of the cathedral rather than by population (which would make it about the size of a ...  Read the complete review

I am fortunate enough to live quite close to Durham, yet never tire of it when I visit. It really is a beautiful city. The Cathedral and Castle serve as an imposing backdrop as you approach the city, yet can only be appreciated when you acually go in take a look. The Cathedral is an architectural masterpiece, well worth a visit. The castle is also worth a look (there is an admission charge) but as it is used as Durham's University College it is often closed, particularly during term time. The city's streets are pleasant, and have a wide range of shops and restaurants (particulary Italian). The riverside area also always makes for a pleasant ...  Read the complete review

Durham is a cathedral city as well as having a highly regarded university. During term time the population of the town grows considerably and the whole feel of the place changes. Teashops that used to be quiet are now full of students sipping their coffee and making grandiose plans for the future. The quiet pub is filled with others nursing their beer, ensuring that the one pint lasts as long as possible while in loud voices putting the world to rights. Yes Durham is a city of two faces, the quiet local town that is really a market town for the surrounding area, then the student city that brings a more cosmopolitan feel to the place. Its shops ...  Read the complete review