Guides to Durham
In-depth guides to the best places to eat, drink, explore, and enjoy in Durham. Written by locals, backed by research.
Latest Guides
Christmas Lights Switch-On in Durham 2026
Best Financial Advisers in Durham
Best Estate Agents in Durham
How to Find a Good Tradesperson in Durham
Meditation in Durham: Groups, Quiet Days and Calm Spaces
Beer Festivals Near Durham: CAMRA Festivals and Pub Events
Food & Drink
The Best Ice Cream and Dessert Parlours in Durham
Where to find ice cream, gelato and sundaes in Durham, from a retro parlour above Elvet Bridge to the bright dessert bars down at the Riverwalk.
The Best Chinese and Thai Restaurants in Durham
From an award-winning pan-Asian kitchen by the Law Courts to proper Sichuan cooking on North Road, our guide to the best Chinese and Thai food in Durham.
The Best Italian Restaurants in Durham
From Durham's longest-running independent trattoria on Saddler Street to a cosy Claypath favourite, our guide to the best Italian restaurants in the city.
The Best Pizza in Durham
Where to go for pizza in Durham, from a grand PizzaExpress on Saddler Street to a family Italian in an old railway station and a proper Gilesgate takeaway.
The Best Indian Restaurants in Durham
From a fine-dining pumphouse to a 30-year-old bistro under the cathedral, our guide to the best Indian restaurants and curry houses in and around Durham City.
The Best Butchers in Durham
A guide to the independent butchers in and around Durham City, from award-winning family shops to the traditional stalls in the Market Hall.
Quiz Nights in Durham: Where to Test Your Trivia
A neighbourly guide to Durham's pub quizzes, from smartphone rounds on Saddler Street to snug little £1 nights. Quiz nights move, so always confirm the current time with the pub.
Date Night in Durham: Romantic Restaurants, Bars and Things to Do
Where to eat, drink and wander together in Durham, from riverside fine dining and hidden gin bars to a twilight walk beneath the cathedral.
The Best Bars and Cocktails in Durham
From a riverside gin bar with 250 gins to one of the world's smallest, our guide to the best bars and cocktails in Durham.
The Best Beer Gardens in Durham
When the sun comes out, Durham's riverside beer gardens are hard to beat. Our pick of the best spots for an outdoor drink by the Wear and beyond.
The Best Takeaways in Durham
When you want a night in, Durham delivers. Our pick of the best takeaways across the city, from Lebanese grills near the cathedral to Gilesgate pizza and a Framwellgate Moor curry house.
The Best Breakfast in Durham
From a full English before a day of sightseeing to a leisurely weekend brunch, here are the best places to start the day in Durham, all a short walk from the Market Place.
The Best Fish and Chips in Durham
Fish and chips is a proper North East ritual. Our guide to the best chippies in and around Durham, from an award-winning Market Place restaurant to a coal-fired shop that has been frying since 1915.
The Best Restaurants in Durham
From Michelin-listed tasting menus to riverside dining and long-standing local favourites, our guide to the best restaurants in Durham city.
The Best Pubs in Durham
Durham is a city of historic inns and well-kept cask ale. Our guide to the best traditional pubs in Durham, from a fifteenth-century inn to a preserved Victorian gem.
The Best Cafes & Coffee Shops in Durham
Durham does coffee properly, from cathedral-view cafes to independent roasters and all-day kitchens. Our guide to the best places for a flat white in the city.
The Best Brunch in Durham
From riverside kitchens to Claypath delis and French brasseries, our guide to the best places for brunch in Durham, whether you want eggs, pancakes or a proper fry-up.
The Best Sunday Roast in Durham
A proper Sunday lunch is a Durham institution. Our guide to the best roasts in the city, from historic inns to riverside steakhouses and country pubs on the edge of town.
The Best Afternoon Tea in Durham
Scones, sandwiches and a proper pot of tea. Our guide to the best afternoon tea in Durham, from a riverside tea room to grand country-house hotels on the edge of the city.
The Best Bakeries in Durham
Fresh bread, pastries and proper cake. Our guide to the best bakeries and patisseries in Durham, from a French patisserie to a market-hall bakery and a Claypath deli.
Family & Children
Halloween in Durham
Spooky season in the city: family castle tours, Kynren's Halloween fireworks spectacular, a grown-up cocktail masterclass and a big family Halloween at Beamish nearby.
Family Activities in Durham: Days Out with the Kids
A roundup of the best family days out in Durham, from riverside walks and rowing boats to museums, soft play and big attractions just outside the city.
Summer Sports Camps in Durham: Active Holiday Fun
A guide to organised summer sports camps in Durham for children, from multi-sport days at Maiden Castle to football, tennis and cricket coaching across the city.
Summer Holiday Activities in Durham: Keeping the Kids Busy
Six weeks of summer to fill? Here is our guide to the best days out, attractions and organised holiday clubs in and around Durham, from free council schemes to paid family favourites.
Birthday Party Venues in Durham: Where to Celebrate
The best places to hold a children's birthday party in and around Durham, from soft play and bowling to trampolining, climbing, farm parties and leisure-centre pool sessions.
Children's Party Entertainers in Durham
A guide to children's party entertainers covering Durham, from face painting and balloon modelling to mascots, discos and bouncy castle hire, plus how to check they are insured and DBS checked.
After-School Clubs in Durham: Wraparound Care and Activities
A practical guide to wraparound care and after-school activities in Durham, from Ofsted-registered nurseries and sports coaches to leisure-centre clubs and tax-free childcare.
The Best Playgrounds in Durham
Where to find the best children's playgrounds in and around Durham, led by Wharton Park's three play areas, plus riverside parks and a nearby splash pad.
Soft Play and Indoor Play in Durham
The best soft play and indoor play in and around Durham, from a city-centre stay-and-play to one of the North East's largest three-storey play frames.
A Rainy Day in Durham: Indoor Things to Do
When the weather closes in, Durham has plenty to keep everyone happy indoors, from the cathedral and museums to soft play, a bouldering wall and a cinema in the heart of the city.
Rainbows, Brownies, Cubs and Scouts in Durham: A Parents' Guide
A parents' guide to Girlguiding and Scouting in Durham: the sections by age, the local Scout groups, how to sign your child up, what it costs, and how to volunteer.
Diggerland Durham: A Family Guide to the Digger Adventure Park
Where children ride, drive and operate real diggers. Our guide to Diggerland Durham at Langley Park: the rides, height-based pricing, opening season, food and how to get there.
Adventure Valley: A Family Day Out Near Durham
The North East's biggest family adventure park sits just north of Durham. Our guide to Adventure Valley's outdoor rides, indoor play zones, animals, tickets and how to get there.
Sports & Fitness
Meditation in Durham: Groups, Quiet Days and Calm Spaces
Where to meditate in Durham, from a Plum Village sangha and Quaker silent worship to quiet days at St Antony's Priory, the Cathedral's online retreats and meditative yoga classes.
Skate Parks in and around Durham
An honest guide to skateparks in and around Durham City, from the concrete park at Pity Me to well-regarded options a short drive away in Chester-le-Street and Chilton.
Martial Arts in Durham: Clubs and Classes for All Ages
Karate, taekwondo, krav maga and more. A guide to martial arts clubs in Durham for children and adults, whatever style you want to try.
Football in Durham: Clubs, Teams and Where to Watch
Durham punches above its weight in football, with a professional women's side, university teams and grassroots clubs. A guide to the local game and how to get involved.
Running and Cycling in Durham: Routes, Paths and parkrun
Riverside miles, a traffic-free railway path and a free weekly parkrun. A guide to running and cycling in and around Durham, whatever your distance.
Personal Trainers in Durham: Where to Find One-to-One Coaching
Whether you want a private studio or a gym-based session, a guide to finding a personal trainer in Durham and how to choose the right one.
Swimming in Durham: Pools and Lessons
Where to swim in and around Durham, from the central Freeman's Quay pools to a 25-metre pool up the road at Chester-le-Street and spa swimming at Ramside Hall.
The Best Gyms in Durham
From the city's public leisure centre to 24-hour budget chains and an independent city-centre studio, here is our guide to the best gyms in Durham.
Sport and Fitness in Durham
From a riverside leisure centre and a free weekly parkrun to a rowing tradition that runs deep on the Wear, our guide to keeping active in and around Durham.
Durham Regatta: A Guide to the North's Oldest Rowing Event
On the second weekend of June, hundreds of rowing crews race beneath the cathedral on the River Wear. Our guide to Durham Regatta, the second-oldest regatta in England, its history, its course and how to enjoy the weekend.
Parks & Nature
The Best Walks In and Around Durham
With the River Wear looping through its heart and the Durham Dales and coast within reach, Durham is a fine place to walk. Our guide, from the riverside peninsula to the countryside beyond.
The Best Days Out from Durham
Durham sits within easy reach of some of the North East's finest days out. Our guide to the castles, museums, waterfalls, forests and coastline within a short drive of the city, from Beamish and Raby to High Force and the Heritage Coast.
Parks and Gardens in Durham
For a small city, Durham is unusually green. Our guide to the best parks and gardens in and around the city, from the University Botanic Garden and National Trust Crook Hall to the cathedral views at Wharton Park and the Georgian landscape of Hardwick Park.
Health & Wellbeing
Massage in Durham: Sports, Deep Tissue and Relaxation
Nursing an injury or just need to unwind? A guide to where to book a massage in Durham, from sports and deep tissue work to relaxation.
Yoga in Durham: Classes and Studios for Every Level
From a dedicated city-centre studio to classes at the gym, a guide to where to practise yoga in Durham, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned yogi.
Care Homes in Durham: A Family Guide
Choosing a care home is one of the hardest decisions a family makes. A guide to residential and nursing care homes in Durham, and how to choose well.
The Best Physiotherapists in Durham
Whether it's a sports injury, back pain or post-op rehab, our guide to the best private physiotherapy clinics in Durham, from the city centre to Carrville.
Schools & Education
Find a Tutor in Durham
From Kumon at Neville's Cross and free university student tutoring to evening language courses, youth theatre and guitar lessons in the Market Hall, here is how to find a tutor in Durham.
Durham School Holidays and Term Dates (2026/27)
The official Durham County Council school term dates and holidays for 2026/27 and 2027/28, set out as clean tables so you can plan the year ahead.
Schools in Durham: A Guide for Parents
From well-regarded state comprehensives to the historic independent schools of the Cathedral Foundation, a parents' guide to schooling in Durham city.
A Student's Guide to Durham
New to Durham University? An introduction to life in one of England's oldest university cities, from the collegiate system to getting around a compact, hilly city.
Durham University Colleges Explained
Durham's collegiate system explained, from the historic Bailey colleges on the peninsula to the Hill colleges on Elvet Hill, and what college life actually involves.
Where Durham Students Live: Colleges and Student Areas
From first year in college to shared houses in the Viaduct, Gilesgate and beyond, a guide to where Durham students live and what each area is like.
The University Year in Durham: Terms, Freshers and Graduation
How Durham University's three terms shape the city, from Freshers' Week in October to graduation in the cathedral, and how Durham changes with the academic year.
Moving to Durham for University: What to Know
A practical guide for new Durham students, from arriving for Freshers and college accommodation to registering with a GP and getting around the city.
Durham on a Budget: A Student's Guide
Some of the best things about Durham are free or cheap, from the cathedral and riverside walks to the museums and the market. A student guide to the city on a budget.
Services
Best Estate Agents in Durham
From a century-old independent on Old Elvet to the agents lining New Elvet and a student-housing specialist, a guide to estate and letting agents in Durham city and how to choose one.
Solicitors in Durham: Conveyancing, Wills & Family Law
A practical guide to solicitors in Durham City, covering conveyancing, wills and probate, family law, Court of Protection, and how to choose an SRA-regulated firm.
Best Accountants in Durham
A guide to chartered accountants and accountancy firms in Durham City, covering accounts, tax, bookkeeping, payroll, audit and business advice for individuals and businesses.
Best Cleaners in Durham
From a domestic cleaning franchise with employed, insured staff to carpet and commercial cleaning specialists, a guide to trusted cleaners in Durham for homes, end-of-tenancy jobs and business premises.
Heritage & History
The History of Durham's High Street and Historic Shopping Streets
From the medieval Market Place to Silver Street, Saddler Street and the Victorian Market Hall, a guide to the streets where Durham has shopped for nearly a thousand years.
The Lost Buildings of Durham: The City That Isn't There Anymore
Gaols under a bridge, a great north gate, a hotel lost to a bypass. A guide to the vanished and demolished buildings of Durham and the history they leave behind.
Durham in World War Two: The Night the Bombers Came
The story of Durham in the Second World War, from the famous 'mist miracle' that supposedly saved the cathedral to the county's own regiment, the Durham Light Infantry.
Interesting Facts About Durham: A City Like No Other
A saint carried around the North for a century, prince bishops with their own army, and a cathedral that doubled as Hogwarts. Fascinating facts about the city of Durham.
Historic Trades and Crafts of Durham
Durham gave the world its famous mustard, built organs for Westminster Abbey and wove carpets by the Wear. A guide to the city's historic trades and crafts.
Famous People Connected with Durham
From a future prime minister and a comedy legend who shared a school to the saints who made the city, the famous names connected with Durham.
The Historic Churches of Durham
Beyond the great cathedral, Durham is rich in historic churches, from a medieval chapel at Crossgate to a 12th-century parish church on the Wear.
The Best Photography Spots in Durham
From the classic Prebends Bridge view to the riverbanks, Wharton Park and Observatory Hill, our guide to the best places to photograph Durham's World Heritage skyline.
The Oldest Pubs in Durham
Durham's historic pubs run from a 15th-century inn to a famously haunted tavern and a Victorian time capsule. A tour of the oldest and most characterful pubs in the city.
Free Things to Do in Durham
Durham is one of England's most rewarding cities to enjoy on no budget at all, from the free-to-enter cathedral to riverside walks, the market and city-skyline views from Wharton Park.
Kynren: A Visitor's Guide to England's Epic Live Show
A short drive from Durham, Kynren tells 2,000 years of English history in a 90-minute open-air spectacle. Our guide to the show, the new daytime park, tickets, timings and how to get there.
Beamish Museum: A Visitor's Guide
Just north of Durham, Beamish is one of the North East's great days out. Our guide to the living museum's period streets, vintage trams, the year-long ticket, and how to get there.
The Durham Miners' Gala: A Guide to the Big Meeting
On the second Saturday of every July, Durham gives itself over to the Big Meeting. Our guide to the Durham Miners' Gala, its banners and brass bands, the cathedral service and its history.
Things to Do in Durham
From the World Heritage cathedral and castle to riverside walks, museums and the Victorian market hall, here is our guide to the best things to do in Durham.
Durham Cathedral: A Visitor's Guide
How to visit one of the finest Norman cathedrals in Europe, from the shrine of St Cuthbert and the tomb of Bede to the tower climb and the Sanctuary Knocker.
Durham Castle: A Visitor's Guide
How to visit the Norman castle on Palace Green, once home to the Prince Bishops and now a Durham University college, open to the public by guided tour.
The Prince Bishops of Durham
For centuries the Bishops of Durham ruled the County Palatine with near-royal powers, raising armies, holding courts and minting their own coins. Here is their story.
The Story of St Cuthbert and How Durham Began
Durham owes its existence to a saint. The story of St Cuthbert, the monks who carried his body, and the legend of the Dun Cow that founded the city.
Walking the Durham World Heritage Site: A Self-Guided Route
A short circular walk around Durham's peninsula, taking in the cathedral and castle, Palace Green, Prebends Bridge and the wooded riverbanks of the Wear.
Durham on Screen: Film and TV Locations
From Hogwarts to Asgard, Durham Cathedral has doubled for some of cinema's grandest settings. A guide to the film and TV made in the World Heritage city.
Palace Green and Durham's University Museums
The historic green between the cathedral and castle, and the Durham University museums around it, from Palace Green Library to the Oriental Museum.
Community
How to Find a Good Tradesperson in Durham
Hiring a builder, electrician or plumber in Durham? How to check credentials, get fair quotes, handle listed buildings and conservation areas, and avoid rogue traders, plus where to find trusted local trades.
Best Streets to Live in Durham: A Neighbourhood-by-Neighbourhood Guide
From Georgian Gilesgate and Hallgarth Street to the Victorian terraces of Western Hill and family homes in Neville's Cross, an honest guide to Durham's most liveable streets, student lets included.
Allotments and Community Gardens in Durham
How to get an allotment in Durham, from the county council waiting lists to parish-owned plots above Flass Vale and the historic St Margaret's site, plus gardens where you can volunteer and learn.
Volunteer Groups in Durham
From welcoming visitors at the cathedral to sorting food parcels, tending hospice gardens and clearing riverbanks, here is where to start volunteering in Durham city and how to sign up.
Best Places to Work Remotely in Durham
From a free city library with WiFi and late weekday opening to bookable hot desks at Aykley Heads and cafes tucked up quiet vennels, here is where to work remotely in Durham.
Who Represents You in Durham: Your MP, Councillors and Council
A plain-English, non-partisan guide to who runs Durham: the county council, the City of Durham Parish Council, your MP and local councillors, and how to have your say.
The Best Wedding Venues in Durham
From a wedding in Durham Castle to a country barn in 100 acres, our guide to the best wedding venues in and around Durham City for every style and budget.
The Best Hotels in Durham
Where to stay in Durham, from a country golf and spa resort to a boutique hotel on Old Elvet and a budget-friendly base in the heart of the city.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Durham: A Practical Guide
A calm, step-by-step guide for bereaved families in Durham: getting the medical certificate, registering the death within five days, arranging a funeral, and finding support.
The Best Charity Shops in Durham
Durham is a happy hunting ground for charity-shop bargains, from a hospice shop dubbed the 'Selfridges of the North East' to the cluster of shops along North Road.
Supermarkets and Food Shopping in Durham
Where to do the weekly shop in Durham, from the big retail-park superstores at Dragonville and Arnison to the Victorian market hall for fresh and local produce.
Moving to Durham: A Guide to Living in the City
Thinking of moving to Durham? A resident's guide to the city's neighbourhoods, house prices, schools, transport and what it's really like to live in the North East's cathedral city.
The Best Dentists in Durham
Where to register for NHS or private dental care in Durham, from a long-established city-centre practice to a modern surgery with parking on the edge of town.
Durham County Council Services: A Resident's Guide
Bins and recycling, council tax, parking permits, Blue Badges and how to report a problem, a plain-English guide to Durham County Council's everyday services.
Dog-Friendly Durham: Pubs, Cafés and Walks
Durham is a wonderfully walkable city for dog owners, our guide to the best dog-friendly pubs, cafés and riverside walks to enjoy with your four-legged friend.
The Best Hairdressers and Barbers in Durham
From Saddler Street salons to a five-star barbershop in the shadow of the cathedral, our guide to the best hairdressers and barbers in Durham.
The Best Opticians in Durham
Where to book an eye test, pick up new glasses or find contact lenses in Durham, from independent optometrists to the high-street chains.
The Best Vets in Durham
From long-established Gilesgate practices to a retail-park clinic with evening hours, our guide to registering with a vet and caring for your pet in Durham.
A Weekend in Durham
How to spend a perfect two days in Durham, from the World Heritage cathedral and castle to riverside walks, independent restaurants and the Victorian market hall.
Never miss what’s on
Join the weekly Durhamcity.live digest — the best events, news and local tips, straight to your inbox. Free, one email a week.
This Weekend
Family Activities: Bowl of Wonders at the Oriental Museum
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM · Oriental Museum
October Half-Term at Beamish Museum
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM · Beamish Museum
Interface Arts at The Story
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM · The Story
Marvin Muoneké and Strictly Smokin' Big Band
7:30 PM · Gala Theatre