A Weekend in Durham

Durham is made for a weekend. It is compact enough to explore on foot, rich enough in history to fill two days, and small enough that you never feel rushed. Here is one way to make the most of it.

Saturday morning: the peninsula

Start at the top of the hill on Palace Green, between Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle. Give the cathedral a good hour, it is free to enter, and if you have a head for heights, climb the tower for the view. The castle, open by guided tour, makes a natural follow-on. When you are ready for coffee, walk down Saddler Street to Flat White Kitchen for brunch in a restored townhouse.

Saturday afternoon: the river

Work off lunch with a circular walk along the wooded riverbanks, taking in Prebends Bridge and its famous view back to the cathedral. In summer you can hire a rowing boat on the Wear. Afterwards, browse the independent traders in the Victorian Durham Market Hall and the small shops and yards around the Market Place.

Saturday evening

For dinner, The Cellar Door on Saddler Street pairs modern European cooking with views over the river. Round off the night with a pint at The Dun Cow, a fifteenth-century inn on Old Elvet.

Sunday: a slower pace

Take Sunday more gently. The Oriental Museum, a short walk or drive from the centre, is the only museum in the North East devoted to the art and cultures of Asia and North Africa and makes a rewarding morning. Alternatively, head out to the University Botanic Garden or up to Wharton Park for one last view over the city before you leave.

Getting here

Durham sits on the East Coast Main Line, so the train is often the easiest way in, with the station a short walk from the centre. If you drive, use one of the Park & Ride sites on the edge of the city, see our guide to where to park in Durham. However you arrive, plan to do most of your exploring on foot.