Durham Castle and Cathedral
Durham Castle and Cathedral overlook a bend in the Wear river, crossecting the old university town of Durham.
The Cathedral was built between 1093 and 1133. It is in the Norman (Romanesque) style, and houses the relics of St. Cuthbert, the evangelist of Northumbria.
The building is considered one of the high points in medieval architecture, because of the speed in which it was made (about 40 years) and the considerable unity in its style. Most spectacular is the Nave with the huge carved pillars that are 6.6 metres round and 6.6 metres high.
Behind the Cathedral, at the northern end of Palace Green, is the Castle: an ancient Norman fortress which was the residence of the Prince Bishops of Durham.
Visit August 2004
The first view of Durham, from the train or walking down from the railway station, is very impressive. The town is dominated by what looks like a huge fortress; in fact it is the medieval complex of cathedral and the castle. Quite hard to encapture this sight into a picture, though. I climbed bridges and followed the riverside footpath, but to no avail.
The front of the Cathedral is massive, but the whole thing is huge when you look at it from the side. The grey stones also dominate the inside, giving it a heavy air although the pillars are distinctly decorated.
Somehow, I didn't find the time to go inside the castle. There are guided tours a few times a day,
but I preferred sitting on a bench, reading a book, sipping some coffee, and looking up every
ten minutes or so to enjoy the magnificent architecture.
More photos can be found in the Picture Gallery
Reviews
Helen Howell (England):
I lived and worked in Durham for 3 years. I have been away from it now for over 13 years, however when ever I get the chance I go back to visit. I was there yesterday (31st January 2010) for a short while introducing it to a dear friend. It holds special memories for me, the Cathedral is magnificent and the position of the city is superb. Its peace, tranquillity and spiritual ambience makes it one of my favourite places in England, steeped in history, it truely is a magical place which as a Northener I was proud to show to my dear friend. |
| Date posted: February 2010 |
Ian Cade (England):
 Durham had been on my list of sites to see soon for some time and in March 2009 I finally managed to arrange a work trip that enabled me to see it.
I have to say I am in agreement with most of the other reviewers on this page, Durham really is a lovely place to visit. I got my first view in the morning as my train travelled across the viaduct. It was quite a surprise just how impressive an entrance to the city this was, certainly one of England’s finest urban views.
I managed to get back in the afternoon to explore the city on foot. The town centre is a nice maze of winding roads and narrow alleyways. The approach up to the Cathedral green was particularly nice.
I was very lucky as when I went into the cathedral there was a choir practice being conducted, this really added to the atmosphere. I must admit to sometimes having cathedral fatigue as collecting World Heritage Sites takes you to a lot. However I really enjoyed visiting the interior, it was not particularly busy and also it was free to enter, a bit of a rarity in England. The famous columns with diagonal patterning were very impressive. Also it is well worth heading through the cloister to the bookshop and restaurant, which are housed, in some fine outbuildings.
Alas, the castle was closed for a special event when I visited, it did look impressive but I am not sure I would have ventured in had I had the option. I just enjoyed the views of it from the river.
I visited after a meeting in Newcastle (about 15 minutes by train), which I was particularly impressed with. If you are in the area it seems like a great place to be based. I should hopefully be back up there to visit Hadrian’s Wall, and certainly would have no qualms about going back to Durham to explore a little more of one of England’s most charming cities. A very worthy World Heritage Site. |
| Date posted: March 2009 |
Francisco Meza (mexico Chihuahua):
I have visited the Cathedral twice, and it is hard to describe the overwhelming positive feeling that I felt when I observed all the building details . It is a masterpiece , beautifull. I planned to come back, God willing. |
| Date posted: October 2008 |
David Proudfoot (England):
The sight of Durham cathedral from the train means to the people of County Durham and Tyne & Wear that we are home. |
| Date posted: July 2008 |
ASHLEY CORR (England):
The cathedral is a fantastic piece of architecture. Very atmospheric as you walk around the place and when the chior are signing in the practice room it echoes around the halls.
I took a few photographs on my recent visit to the cathedral and you can view them here
www.ashleycorr.com
I hope you like them, thanks. A.CORR |
| Date posted: June 2008 |
joseph carson (Britian - Scotland / Ireland / England & Wales):
On my 1st Social visit to Durham Castle it felt like for many a year i was home - the spectacular views surounding the castle, not to forget the cathedral its self also from the very top of the cathedral.
Evreything is to hand what ever you would wish to do - peace - activity - being alone or in a crowd there is always something to do for all - perhaps with my carabiniers - du - Roi attitude within my life & that nothing is ever impossible this makes Durham Castle a very special place, i recently visited & stayed over at another 2 of the brother university college residential abodes - equally exciting in different ways & offers a different aspect / angle / views to durham its self in a whole. |
| Date posted: May 2008 |
lynne (england):
Durham cathedral is truly a superb building. I last visited there about twenty years ago and I'm ashamed to say that I had forgotten how wonderful it really is. It's certainly true to say that you dont appreciate what you have on your own doorstep. The only thing that is disappointing is that whilst there is a copy of the Lindsfarne Gospels held within the cathedral the original is kept in London ( a place as far away from Lindisfarne and the history of this area that you could wish to get) miles away from its true beginnings , what better place for anyone to view this holy book than in the area in which it first began. |
| Date posted: May 2008 |
():
I was blessed to have lived in Durham Castle for four weeks as part of an AIFS group in the summer of 1968. It is truly one of the highlights of my life and I have such fond memories of the Castle, as well as the Cathedral, Durham University and the townsfolks of Durham. I hope to return for an extended visit in 2010. |
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():
I brought my seven year old son to visit the Cathedral and the Castle. Hav to say it is absolutely spectacular and is breath taking. When you sit back and consider the work that has gone into the Cathedral during such hard times it makes your mind boggle! Fell in love with the place and I felt a sense of warmth and calm that I have not experienced anywhere else yet.
You are truly lucky people to live in such a beautiful part of the country! |
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Syd Graham - AboutMyArea.co.uk/DH1 (UK):
Durham cathedral is beautiful structure that casts its reflection into the river Wear in the heart of the city. The cathedral truly deserves World Heritage status.
I am fortunate to live and work in Durham, too often people take for granted what is on their doorstep. Whenever I am in the city I take my camera to record more views of this spectacle. I am looking forward to visiting the cathedral again in 2007 to get more images and stories for my website.
Durham recently held its Silver Festival and a huge marquee was erected on the Palace lawns in the shadows of the cathedral. What turned out to be a cold rainy day on the Sunday did not dampen the spirits of the visitors and the place was packed. Read my review of the festival with photo's of the cathedral at:
http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/site/content.asp?area=240&m=1&type=0&story=20884 |
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lisa (Durham,UK):
im doing a project on the cathedral for my GCSES and it is the most magnificant and superp piece of architecture and history that i am proud to say i live there |
| Date posted: July 2006 |
Lauren Kussell (England):
As an American who has moved to Durham, I found the history of Durham, which is incorporated in almost every aspect of life, amazing. The idea that people had been here for thousands of years, and that some of those people built magnificient buildings such as the the cathedral was exhilarating. You never know what you've truly missed before unless you experience a different way. |
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Klaus Freisinger (Austria):
Like the other posters, I really enjoyed Durham. Even though I had arrived in the early morning on a night bus from London and had to wait several hours for anything to open, the city didn´t fail to impress me with its considerable charm. The cathedral is one of the greatest in England, and a wonderful example of Norman architecture at its prime. The castle is also very interesting, but it´s now used as a university, and not everything can be seen. By the way, when I was there, the late Peter Ustinov was still chancellor (or whatever his exact title was). I found this entertaining, even though the post is probably only ceremonial. The city of Durham is also pleasant and not too big, meaning that the cathedral and the castle can be seen from almost anywhere, without any modern buildings blocking the view. |
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Gabi Clark (England, Durham):
I always found that the castle and cathedral are enchanting, even though I live close, and when I visit it's like a trip into a world from the past. |
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beverly johnson (co.durham):
i live next to Durham castle and cathedral and they are both magnificant but you do not appreciate them when you live so close to it. It is a magnificant place with a magnificant history. |
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daniel johnson (co durham UK):
durham is one of the most architecturally pleasing citys in the country. therè isnt a shortage of things to do also such as shop, drink coffee, go bowling all whilst you watch the time and world go by, truley magnificent, the only put down is that there isnt a Tucci a very posh clothing shop.
lush, |
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graham green (England):
Durham cathedral is a lovely place to ralax at night when the lights shine up at the cathedral the scene is unberliveble and is breath taking.The sight is not only breath taking but is a memory which will last a life time i would recomend a visit to durham cathedral to anybody who is interested in historicsl sights. |
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Toops (ENGLAND):
Durham is truly a jewel in the English Crown. I would urge anyone to experience this historical city as it truly is magnificent. All previous examples of Norman architecture such as ELY cathedral in Cambridgeshire, have been put to shame by this cathedral. At night the views from across the river are breathtaking and, following on from Sir Walter Scott: 'This view is unsurpassed in England'. |
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Marie Pennington (England):
I really enjoyed my visit to Durham Castle and Cathedral. I took a tour of the Castle and i found the history fascinating. The Cathedral was really impressive and i climbed to the top of the tower to get a good view of Durham city. Everywhere I went in Durham, i never lost sight of the castle and cathedral. they dominate the city and are a really historical background. |
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