Things to Do in Durham
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Durham, England, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Durham's cathedral was built by Norman monks to be unmissable from every angle, and nine centuries later it still dominates the skyline the moment you arrive, whichever direction you're coming from. This is the proper guide to things to do in Durham, what things actually cost, when to go, and which bits are worth your time. Five main stops below, plus a quiz at the bottom to see if you were paying attention.
Durham Cathedral
I asked in the quiz which Anglo-Saxon saint's shrine the cathedral holds, and it's St Cuthbert, whose remains were carried here by monks fleeing Viking raids on Lindisfarne, eventually settling on this rocky peninsula above the River Wear in 995. What was built afterward, largely between 1093 and 1133, is considered one of the finest examples of Norman architecture anywhere in Europe, and it's free to enter, though a £5 donation is genuinely encouraged to help maintain it.
The cathedral also holds the tomb of the Venerable Bede, exactly the second answer I asked about, often called the father of English history for his 8th-century account of early English Christianity. Guided tours run for around £7.50, and the tower climb, 325 steps, gives a genuinely spectacular view over the whole city on a clear day.
Hours Mon-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm, Sun 12.30pm-3pm (times vary, check current schedule)
Address The College, Durham DH1 3EH
Official site durhamcathedral.co.uk
Durham Castle
The answer to the third quiz question: Durham Castle now provides accommodation for Durham University, specifically University College, its founding college, students have lived within its Norman walls since 1837. Built to defend the cathedral and, by extension, the Prince Bishops of Durham who once held near-royal power in the region, it forms a genuine UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the cathedral just across Palace Green.
Because it's a working part of the university, you can only visit by guided tour, typically around 30 minutes, taking in the underground chapel, the Black Staircase and the Great Hall. Tour slots are released roughly a month ahead, so check availability rather than assuming you can just turn up.
Address Palace Green, Durham DH1 3RW
Official site durham.ac.uk/durham-castle
Prebends Bridge & the River Wear
A stone arched bridge crossing the River Wear, connecting the cathedral peninsula to the west bank, and the source of one of the most photographed views in the North East, cathedral and castle rising together above the tree line. The riverside walk circling the peninsula is entirely free and takes around 45 minutes to an hour at an easy pace, one of the best low-cost ways to spend part of a Durham day.
Rowing boat hire is available from the riverbank in season if you'd rather see the view from the water itself.
Durham Cathedral Museum & the Great Kitchen
Housed partly within the cathedral's octagonal Great Kitchen, a genuinely unusual medieval survival, this museum walks through 2,000 years of the region's history, culture and faith, with the Sanctuary Ring and St Cuthbert's Pectoral Cross among its more striking objects on display. It's included as part of a visit to the cathedral complex rather than requiring a wholly separate ticket.
Hours Generally 12pm-4pm, check current times
Palace Green
The grassy square flanked by the cathedral on one side and the castle on the other, Palace Green is the genuine heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and free to walk across at any time. Palace Green Library, part of the university, holds special collections and occasionally opens exhibitions to the public, worth checking before you visit since access has varied due to maintenance in recent years.
It's the natural starting point for a Durham day, everything else above sits within a few minutes' walk in one direction or another.
Best time to visit Durham
May to September gives the most reliable weather for the riverside walk and Palace Green, though the cathedral and castle both work fine year-round. Durham University's graduation periods, early January and late June, bring extra crowds and can affect castle tour availability, worth checking dates if you're planning around either.
Getting around Durham
Durham's old peninsula, holding the cathedral, castle and Palace Green, is compact and entirely walkable, everything above sits within about 10 minutes of the centre. Durham railway station sits a short, if slightly steep, walk from the peninsula, with a regular shuttle bus available if you'd rather not manage the hill on foot.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Durham worth visiting?
- Yes, its cathedral is widely considered one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Europe, and the combination of cathedral, castle and riverside walk on one small peninsula makes for a genuinely complete day.
- How many days do you need in Durham?
- A day comfortably covers the cathedral, a castle tour and the riverside walk. It also works well as a stop on a wider North East trip rather than requiring an overnight stay on its own.
- Is Durham expensive?
- No, the cathedral runs on a suggested donation rather than a fixed charge, and the riverside walk and Palace Green are both free; the castle tour is the main paid stop.
- What is Durham famous for?
- Durham Cathedral, holding the shrine of St Cuthbert and the tomb of the Venerable Bede, and Durham Castle, now home to Durham University's founding college.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
