Durham Local Guide City Tour

We'll start with the Journey statue which tells the story of the Viking raids which led to the monks of St Cuthbert accidentally founding Durham in 995.

This lively square has been Durham’s civic heart for centuries, home to the historic Market Hall, three fascinating statues, and the beautiful St Nicholas’s Church. We'll talk about where the bodies are buried - literally - and the story of Charles Vane, the worst man in Durham to ever have a statue built to him.

Having walked down the busy shopping street Silver Street and seen the hidden passageway up to the Cathedral, we'll stop on Framwellgate Bridge to get your first view of the majestic Durham Castle, discussing its fascinating history.

We'll walk along the River Wear path, taking in the fantastic view of the Castle and the Cathedral from below as well as seeing the historic boat houses and mills.

We'll then take in the view that JM Turner made famous of the Cathedral from Prebends Bridge and discuss the famous and infamous Prince Bishops of Durham.

We’ll see the best preserved remains of the old city walls, and walk up South Bailey and into the College - today the most exclusive and peaceful part of the city but once the heart of the monastery.

It’s then to the Chorister School - including a photo of some surprising famous ex-pupils - and see the infamous Dark Entry to the Cathedral.

Entering the Cathedral via the College Green, we'll see the cloisters where the monks lived and worked, and then into the world famous Nave of the Cathedral to view the vaulted ceiling. On this tour the focus is on the city, so we don’t spend too long inside the Cathedral. I’d strongly recommend coming back later in your trip to spend some time viewing all the treasures this wonderful building has to offer – I'm very happy to recommend what to see.

Passing through the Cathedral into the heart of the World Heritage Site, Palace Green is the historic centre of the old fortified city of Durham. From here we'll get another view of the majestic Cathedral, Castle and the discuss the historic church and university buildings of Palace Green.

We cross the river over the modern masterpiece Kingsgate Footbridge, telling the surprising story of its connection with Sydney Opera House.

It's then on to outside His Majesties Prison Durham to talk about a daring escape and an infamous ghost, then on to the lovely Old Council Offices on Old Elvet, where we'll talk about the historic and world famous Durham Miners Gala. Our final stop is Elvet Bridge, home of two of notorious night spots, one with a connection to high politics.