durham uk tour guide

THE 10 BEST Durham Tours & Excursions

Durham tours.

• Walking Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Ghost & Vampire Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Private Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Wine Tours & Tastings
• Self-Guided Tours & Rentals
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Guided Walking Tour of Durham & its Infamous Characters

2. Walkabout Durham History Tour

3. Durham City Walking Tour

4. Durham Food Tour

5. Durham’s Landmarks and Legends: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

6. Durham - The Cathedral and Old City

7. Pub and History Tour of Durham with Alcohol Tasting

8. Durham Full City Tour

9. Durham Private Walking Tour

10. Durham City Half Day Tour

11. Durham Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour

12. Dark Durham Tour

13. Discover Durham’s Rich Heritage and Cultural Marvels

14. Diverse Heritage – Durham Walking Tour for Couples

15. Wonderful Durham – Family Walking Tour

16. Private Transfer from Durham to Manchester Airport (MAN)

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Guided City Walking Tour of Newcastle

Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around Newcastle with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

1-Hour Public Cruise

Afternoon Tea Cruise in North Yorkshire

1.5 Hour Explore Newcastle Walking Tour

3 Hour Walking Tour through Newcastle upon Tyne

Romans, Vikings and Medieval Marvels in York: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

A Taste Of Newcastle Food Tour

City Sightseeing York Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Fun, Flexible Treasure Hunt Around York with Cryptic Clues & Hidden Gems

Vera Tour of Newcastle TV Locations

1-Hour and a Half Walking Guided Tour in Medieval Newcastle

Ultimate Full-Day Lake District Tour: 10 Lakes, Amazing Scenery & Lake Cruise

The Ultimate Cheese & Wine Food Tour

What travelers are saying.

• Guided Walking Tour of Durham & its Infamous Characters
• Walkabout Durham History Tour
• Durham City Walking Tour
• Durham’s Landmarks and Legends: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
• Wonderful Durham – Family Walking Tour
• Characterful Durham Tour
• Walkabout Durham
• Ken Bradshaw
• Iles Tours Durham
• Walking with the Ghosts of Durham.
• Prince Bishop River Cruiser
• The Durham Fly Fishing Company

WALKABOUT DURHAM City Walking Tours 

W elcome to walkabout durham i am peter , your guide, and i have developed four guided walking tours to help you discover this beautiful 1000 year old city. whilst strolling along cobbled streets and riverside footpaths, you will view some of the world's best architecture and encounter gripping tales of the kings, prince bishops and local people who have made durham one of england's most fascinating and historically significant, cities. the brand new pub  and history tour combines the historic highlights with s tops at some of the most iconic pubs in the city. alternatively, o ur history tour,   full city tour  and dark durham tour  take in spectacular views of durham cathedral and castle, which are designated as a unesco world heritage site.  our detailed tours are a perfect way for tourists, day-trippers, students and locals to learn more about our wonderful city. an ideal way to start your break in durham. book directly through the website for the best price. .

Local guide

Choice of 4 tours

Tailor your tour

The best of Durham

Dog friendly

Suitable for children

Excellent value

History Tour

1 hour 30 minutes          £13

Take a walk through time as we explore the stunning and dramatic peninsula of Durham city. From some of the most spectacular vantage points around, we will discover tales of the miraculous St. Cuthbert and his journey here 300 years after his death! Plus we encounter legendary kings and ferocious rivalries that have shaped Durham since the Anglo-Saxon times. From wealthy and eccentric Prince Bishops, to humble locals, we uncover how people have helped to craft Durham into the city it is today.

                    2.5 Hours            £18              

All of the features of the history tour plus more! Here we explore the wider city and uncover some hidden gems. Learn about the ‘King in the North’ - the legendary St. Oswald - who returned from exile to reclaim his father's Northumbrian lands and establish a legacy that paved the way for Cuthbert and the Durham story. We also take a look at the dark side of Durham as we explore the prisons, executions and hauntings that add to the mystery and intrigue of the city. Finally, a tour of Durham would not be complete without delving into its rich coal mining heritage and the local people who are at the heart of the Durham story.

Full City Tour

Dark Durham Tour

                   1.5 Hours              £13

Delve into the darker side of Durham's past as we discover the gruesome, shocking and tragic tales of our city's rich history. 

From the medieval prisons, castle and cathedral to the city's historic pubs, we explore the hauntings, crimes , deadly battles and  saintly miracles that add mystery  and character to our beautiful little city. 

2.5 Hours           £28

Combine two of the best things about Durham in one tour- its history and its pubs! See the stunning architecture in the heart of the historic city centre and discover the tales of conquest, miracles and tragedy that makes Durham truly unique. Add to this four stops in atmospheric and historic pubs to enjoy some real cask ale and you have the perfect walking tour.

Pub and History Tour

Compare our tours.

"The city of Durham itself is an intensely beautiful and historic place. There is so much history there, but what makes it special is that it appreciates having that history - it looks after it and does positive things with it" - Bill Bryson

DURHAM, MAKE YOUR OWN HISTORY

Immerse yourself in history as you discover durham - a magnificent medieval city and landscape dotted with castles, museums and spectacular natural landmarks..

You get a sense of its historical importance as soon as you arrive in the city centre, where the majestic Durham Cathedral has dominated the skyline for the past 900 years.

With its UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed castle and cathedral sitting atop a dramatic outcrop overlooking the still waters of the meandering River Wear below, climb the Cathedral Tower's 325 steps for spectacular views of the city and countryside. Or if you’re a fan of Harry Potter visit the Chapter House and Cathedral Cloisters for a Hogwarts experience. Take a student-led tour of Durham Castle: now a Durham University building, the Castle was commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1072 to defend the peninsula.

Where to Stay

Food & drink, landmarks & attractions, things to do.

Meander down cobbled streets into town and grab a picnic to enjoy on the riverbanks while watching boats glide past or choose to view the city - one of the ‘prettiest and most perfect little cities in one of the friendliest corners of the planet’ according to acclaimed bestselling author, Bill Bryson – from a different angle and hire a traditional rowing boat for a leisurely and relaxing trip along the river.

Away from the city, Durham’s dales, vale and coast provide the perfect backdrop for exploring the great outdoors and discovering the region’s cultural heritage. And none more spectacular than the vast expanse of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and UNESCO Global Geopark, home to dramatic dales landscapes and source of two of the region’s other mighty rivers, the Tees and Wear.

Visit one of the many museums and castles that dot the county, packed with relics and antiquities from times gone by or explore the peaceful and tranquil landscape of moors and hills, valleys and meandering rivers, dotted with picturesque villages and market towns.

Make your own history – visit Durham

Magical Light Trails in North East England 

7 ways to explore the outdoors in North East England

Alfresco Summer Nights in the North East

Other places to go, northumberland, south shields, tees valley, tynemouth & whitley bay.

Simply enter your email in the box below to sign up to the Visit North East England newsletter for the latest destination information, special offers and news from North East England.

Durham Travel Guide (includes map, tips & itinerary)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: December 6, 2022

Our  Durham Travel Guide  includes recommended places to visit and things to do, accommodation options, tips and more for this historic northern city. Everything you need to plan your visit and essential reading for any visitor to Durham!

Plan your visit to Durham

The historic city of Durham (located in county Durham) in the North East of England is one of its prettiest cities and home to an 11th-century castle and Norman cathedral both of which were designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1986.

The cathedral is the final resting place of Saint Cuthbert whose body was removed from the Holy Island of Lindisfarne in Northumberland following the Viking invasion in 793.

The castle has been the home of Durham University since 1832.

There are over 630 listed buildings in Durham most of which are located in the city centre. This is the perfect city to visit if you have an interest in English history.

What you will find in this complete Durham Travel Guide

Map showing the location of Durham

When is the best time of year to visit durham, how many days do you need in durham, what is the best way to explore durham, 🚆 by train from london – york – edinburgh, 🚙 by car, ⭐️ attractions and things to do in durham (& the north of england), riverside retreat.

• The King's Lodge Inn
•  Radisson Blu Hotel

🎟 Tickets, tours & attractions in Durham

ℹ️ best day trips from durham, 💛 enjoy your visit to durham.

📖 Durham travel guide – Visiting Durham FAQ’s

Weather-wise the spring and summer months are the perfect time to visit Durham. Days are longer with generally warm weather. This is the UK of course so expect the unexpected! Check the weather forecast before you go..

If you are prepared for 4 seasons in one day you can’t go wrong – layers are always recommended (and waterproofs too) whatever time of year you plan to visit.

In winter snow is a possibility and the days will be cool and crisp. Don’t miss Durham’s Christmas market and decorations in December.

Beamish Open Air Museum is also worth a visit at any time of year.

• Read more about the best time to visit the UK in my detailed guide.

There are a number of festivals and events held in and near Durham during the year including

Kynren – An epic tale of England (Every Saturday 29 July – 9 September 2023)

This live-action outdoor theatre event takes guests on a spellbinding journey through 2 thousand years of history, myth and legend.

Lumiere Durham (16 – 19 November 2023)

The UK’s largest and most successful light festival transforms the city of Durham into a glittering art trail.

Durham is the perfect weekend break (or UK staycation) destination although you can spend a day in the city and explore the main sights if you prefer.

If you are travelling around the UK by train we recommend including Durham in your train trip itinerary . Durham is only a few hours by train from both London and Edinburgh. Durham train station is located a 10-minute walk from the city centre.

The city of Durham is compact and easily explored on foot or by bicycle.

Local bus services run across the city including from a number of park-and-ride locations. Click here for more information about Durham’s Park & Ride locations.

Good to know – We don’t recommend trying to park in the city but using the park-and-ride scheme or taking the train.

What is the best way to travel to Durham from London?

For timetables and tickets, we recommend the trainline. Take the train to Durham for a short break or incorporate it into your UK train travel itinerary.

• Distance from London: 377 km
• Time taken by train: 3 hours
• Leave from: London Euston or London King’s Cross

Tip – If this is your first time catching a train in the UK read our complete guide to UK train travel which includes all the information you need to know to make travelling around the UK by rail a relaxing and stress-free experience.

Durham is served by an excellent road network which provide easy access from the north or south of the country.

⬆️ Follow the A1/A1(M) motorway from the south.

⬇️ From the north take the A1 coastal route or A68 cross country route.

➡️ From the Lake District take the A66 cross Pennine route via Barnard Castle.

Read – UK transportation guide

Click the links for more information about the best places to visit in Durham plus other areas, cities and landmarks of interest in the North East of England.

Coming soon – what to do and see in Durham plus itinerary suggestions.

YORK TRAVEL GUIDE

NORTHUMBERLAND TRAVEL GUIDE

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN NORTH EAST ENGLAND

LAKE DISTRICT TRAVEL GUIDE

CHESTER TRAVEL GUIDE

LIVERPOOL TRAVEL GUIDE

🏩 Durham Accommodation

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN DURHAM

Accommodation Quick Picks

2 bedroom apartment with river views and terrace

The King’s Lodge Inn

Free parking on site, cosy bar, a restaurant and easy access to Durham city centre

  Radisson Blu Hotel

 Fantastic views of the cathedral. Bar, restaurant and health club.

Find more special stays in my Accommodation Guide for England.

⭐️ CLICK FOR MORE INFO ABOUT OUR TRAVEL ITINERARY PLANNERS

🏰 Tours of Durham Castle are available – check the official website for times and availability.

⛪ Durham Cathedral offers tours Monday to Saturday: 11 am and 2 pm. Tours last 1 hour. Costs £7.50 per person, £3.50 child and a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) is £20.00

Climb the central tower (a total of 325 steps) and enjoy unrivalled views over the historic city of Durham and see recently completed restoration work up close. Costs – £5.50 adult £2.50 child (8-17 years)

• Beamish Open Air Museum – Beamish  is a world-famous open-air museum, telling the story of life in North East England during the 1820s, 1900s, 1940s and 1950s. Check online for information about opening times and bookings.

This guide will have provided inspiration plus practical information to help plan your visit to Durham. These posts will also provide practical advice for travelling around the UK:

• UK train travel guide
• Britain by train – top 10 UK rail journeys (+ map & tips)
• Best things to do in Whitby Yorkshire
• 17 Things to do in the Cotswolds
• Oxford Travel Guide (including tips, itinerary + map)

Find more inspiration for your travels in my England Travel Guide which includes information about what to see, where to stay, how to get around, travel tips, recommended reading and more to make the most of your trip.

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• Things to see and do

Tours and Experiences

Take a tour of Durham Cathedral with an expert guide to discover our hidden stories or challenge yourself to climb the 325 steps to the top of the cathedral's central tower.

Take a Cathedral Tour

With over 1000 years of history at Durham Cathedral, it would be impossible to discover it all on your own. Book a place on a 1 hour tour and explore the cathedral with one of our expert volunteer guides. 

Hear about how Durham Cathedral was founded by wandering monks, how it was rebuilt into a symbol of Norman power, and how it faced the ravages of history to survive to today. 

This cathedral is full of remarkable stories of the people and events that have shaped it over the last millennium. There is plenty of time for questions and each of our guides have their own favourite stories to share, so you can be sure that each tour is unique.

Please be aware that our tours go into areas of the cathedral that are not accessible to visitors who cannot climb stairs.

Under 18's

 (must be accompanied by someone aged 18 or over)

Family (2 Adults & 2 Children)

Climb the central tower.

The central tower you see today was extensively rebuilt after two lightning strikes in 1429 and 1459. Standing 218ft or 66m tall, there are 325 steps on a narrow winding spiral staircase that take you to the top to experience breath-taking views of the city below.

While you're climbing you can learn more about our project to restore the stonework at the very top of the tower. You can see and feel the contrast between the older stones spotted with 100 year old graffiti, and the fresher hand-chiselled stones made by our in-house stonemasons. 

Looking out from the tower, you have a bird's eye view over the cathedral, cloister and over the beautiful city of Durham. On a clear day you can see far north towards Sunderland and possibly spot the Angel of the North or Penshaw Monument on the horizon.

Some Durham University students are superstitious that climbing the tower before graduation might affect their exam results(?!), so the tower is usually fully-booked around graduations in early January and late June. We suggest booking tickets in advance.

Child (8-17 years old)

(Young climbers must be accompanied by someone over 18 years of age)

Children under 8

Unfortunately those under 8 years old cannot climb the tower.

School Groups and Youth Visits

We offer a variety of workshops to meet your curriculum needs as well as options for self-guided visits. We ask all school, academy and college groups to book ahead of their visit using the enquiry link below.

Group Visits

Groups of all kinds are welcome to join us at the cathedral. We ask all groups to book ahead, which allows us to make sure there are no major events or services that would disrupt your visit. We can also arrange a package for your group visit, find out more information below.

Upcoming events and experiences

Cathedral secret spaces tour, event date and start time.

Various dates • 1:00pm

Durham Cathedral Museum Highlights Tour

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• Get in Touch
• Library and Collections
• Durham University

Durham Castle Guided Tours

Durham Castle

1 May 2024 - 1 May 2024

1:15PM - 4:15PM

£5: full price £4.50: concessions FREE: under 16, Durham University staff and students

Join one of our guided tours of Durham Castle - experience 1000 years of fascinating history and discover how the building has evolved in time and functions today as the home of University College.

Uncover 1000 years of history as our friendly tour guides take you on a journey through Durham Castle’s remarkable past. Built in the Norman period as an imposing fortress, Durham Castle’s story is entwined with that of the Prince Bishops of Durham, whose status made them some of the most powerful and wealthy men in the country.  Today, the building serves as a place of learning as the home of University College, the founding college of Durham University.  

Tour times schedule is dependent on college activities and varies greatly throughout the year.

To book your tickets, please follow the link below (please be aware tour times are released only a week at a time only):

• Book your guided tour

If you would like more information about our current tour schedule or to get help to book your tickets you can contact us on:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +44(0)191 334 293

Tickets can be purchased in advance online or by phone, or on the day from Palace Green Library, next to the Castle entrance (first come first serve basis).

Tours last approx. 45-50 minutes 

The historic nature and layout of the Castle means that the majority of the building is inaccessible to wheelchair users and pushchairs 

The tour route involves many steps and staircases, some of which are uneven 

Only assistance dogs are allowed

Concessions: over 60s, students (non Durham University)

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UK Government’s top scientist tours Durham campus

• Global Durham

The UK Government’s top scientist has toured science facilities on our campus, meeting staff and students and hearing about the research being undertaken.

Professor Dame Angela McLean, the UK Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA), visited our departments of Physics, Engineering, Chemistry, Biosiences, Computer Science and Mathematical Sciences.

Strength across the sciences

During her tour, Dame Angela learned about Durham’s strengths in quantum technology, energy, smart soils, biomolecular interactions, biochemistry and robotics and automation.

She met many of our leading researchers, and had lunch with some early career researchers.

The visit was led by Professor Clive Roberts, our Executive Dean for Science, and Professor Dagou Zeze, Deputy Executive Dean (Research).

Look closer at science at Durham

Our Science Faculty is home to a diverse community of staff and students, across eight academic departments. Our research impacts society, transforming lives for the better.

Natural Sciences at Durham was recently ranked 92 nd in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024. Earth and Marine Sciences ranked joint 48 th , Physics and Astronomy 69 th , Psychology 74 th , and Geology and Geophysics both in the top 100.

Our ambitious Science Transformation programme will ensure that, as we mark 100 years of the science campus at Durham University, we make an even more significant contribution to the challenges facing society in future.

Find out more

• Explore more about our Faculty of Science
• Meet our new Executive Dean for Science, Professor Clive Roberts
• Read more about the work of Professor Dame Angela McLean

UK Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean with colleagues in the Department of Biosciences

UK Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean with Professor Toby Breckon in the Department of Computer Science

UK Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean with Science Faculty colleagues at the Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science building