Durham Travel Guide

It is surprising how many visitors to the UK rush from London  to Scotland via York without a thought of Durham. Yet it is a lovely city with a magnificent castle and cathedral and is home to England's third oldest university.

In his Notes from a Small Island, Bill Bryson said: 'I got off at Durham... and fell in love with it instantly in a big way. Why, it's wonderful - a perfect little city - and I kept thinking, Why did no one tell me about this?'

So don't say you haven't been told!

The cathedral is one of England's - indeed, the world's - very best for Norman architecture. It was founded in 1093 and is one of the most picturesque cathedrals in the UK, particularly when seen in its lovely setting on a peninsula high above the River Wear. Opposite the cathedral is the city's Norman castle - now part of the university - which dates from 1072. Both can be reached with ease from the city's train station - either on foot (simply follow your eye - you cannot miss the cathedral on the skyline!) or, if  you using a shuttle bus (No 40) that goes direct from the station to Palace Green where the cathedral and castle are located.