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Architecture

Durham is a magnificent City with a mixture of architectural styles and experiences. The City itself has a lot more to offer. As well as the wonders of the World Heritage Site of the Cathedral and Castle, many mediaeval buildings survive alongside modern structures and human landscapes attempting to rival the wonders of nature. Take a walk with us and explore Durham's unique historic environment. The trail begins at the Market Place.

From the centre of the Market Place and the 17th Century Church of St Nicholas (1).

Head right up the cobbled mediaeval Saddler Street, then turn right up Owengate to see the Cathedral towers looming in the background (2).

Upon entering Palace Green the Cathedral Tower dominates the skyline, a magnificient sighfictt to say the least (3).

Turn right again and head through the entrance gateway to the Castle, then look right to see the Norman Castle Keep sitting high up on its mound, the once proud protector of the Cathedral (4).

Continue through the 16th Century Castle Gatehouse (5), to enter The Castle Courtyard, where the north and south range offer a insight into Durham's rich architectural past (6,7).

Leave by the Castle gatehouse and head towards the Cathedral. Turn left down the small footpath. Once at the end of Dun Cow Lane you will be met by the old parish church of St Mary-le-Bow, built in 1685, on the opposite side of the road (8).

Walk along the winding cobbled streets of South Bailey, with many 17th and 18th Century listed buildings (9).

Turn right through the mediaeval College Gatehouse, which incorporates St Helens Chapel (10).

Upon entering The College you will notice that all the buildings here face the attractive large green. All of these buildings are listed (11).

The building at the back was once the Priory Guest House and was built in the 17th Century, set in a similar style to that of the Castle (12).

Leave The College once more through the archway and turn right, heading down the remainder of South Bailey and passing the St Cuthbert's Society building on the left (13). This is a 17th Century grade II* listed building with a fine 1900 doorcase.

Enter the riverbanks through the Watergate, which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument created in 1778 to accommodate carriage traffic over Prebends Bridge (14).

From here walk straight ahead across Prebends Bridge, which was built in 1772 for the Dean and Chapter of Durham. Stop and look right, to see the Cathedral Towers looming over the tree tops (15).

Continue along the riverside paths and stop to enjoy the peace and quite, away from the hustle and bustle of the old mediaeval town, with the Cathedral occasionally peering through the trees (16).

Continue down the path until you reach the disused corn mill. From this man-made viewing platform, look across the Wear and marvel at the renowned view of Durham (17) below.

From the viewing platform, continue along the riverbanks' footpath, admiring the World Heritage Site monuments, and walk up the steps on right of the ancient monument, Framwellgate Bridge (18), built between 1099-1128.

From the bridge continue up the hustle and bustle of Silver Street, with its wide variety of shops, and once again enter the Market Place and pay a visit to the Town Hall (19).