10. Durham (2) Durham City

Streets, River and Buildings

 Scenes in County Durham

See also Durham Cathedral  *  North East Index

Durham is a great historic town with its Cathedra, Castle and Monastery by the old town which retains much of its 18th century Georgian and 19th century Victorian character.

The River Wear forms nearly a closed loop around the raised rocky land on which the town is built ie it is surrounded by the River Wear on three sides, some of  whose banks can be walked with great views of the west end of the Cathedral (see below, Cathedral details and pictures).

What we have in Durham City, with its 'Old Town 'area' is a remarkable collection of ecclesiastical, military, domestic and commercial buildings, supplement for the tourist visitor with galleries and museums.

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Durham: View of Durham Cathedral from the banks of the River Wear.

Bishop Cosin's Hall on College Green

Some Celtic crosses from a topiary craftsman

Looking up Saddler Street leading up to Durham Cathedral in the old town.

Durham Cathedral from College Green

Elvet Bridge is a street that runs down from Sadler Street to the actual Elvet Bridge over the River Wear.

Shops and Cafes on Elvet Bridge

View up towards the town from Elvet Bridge

The first Elvet Bridge over the River Wear was built by Hugh Puiset (Bishop of Durham 1153-1195) in the 12th century.

Elvet Bridge, Durham

The boat club beneath Elvet Bridge

Views either side of Elvet Bridge

Elvet Bridge was extensively rebuilt in 1495-1501 and also in 1601 and further broadened 1804-1805 after flood damage.

The redundant Church of St Mary-le-Bow now houses the Durham Museum and Heritage Centre which tells the story of the City of Durham from medieval times to the present day. It has displays describing the origins and development of Durham City.  The museum is situated in this historic church close to the World Heritage Site of the Cathedral and Castle. It contains exhibitions, models, hands-on activities and videos in an impressive introduction to Durham from its origins and the subsequent development of the city and there are interesting objects illustrating everyday life from the 17th century to the present day. The Museum is County Durham's only brass rubbing centre.

Church of St Mary-le-Bow, near the North Bailey, was rebuilt in 1685 and the tower added in 1702

Durham: The Market Square in the centre of Durham City - Old town, on the right the church of St Nicholas built in 1857-1858 by Pritchett of Darlington and on the left the Town Hall built in 1851 by P. C. Hardwick in a Perpendicular style. In the middle of the market square is the equestrian statue of the third Marquess of Londonderry, in uniform with shako (by R. Monti in 1861).

Durham Market: The entrance to Durham Indoor Markets.

Durham Market: Inside the indoor market with the usual variety of stalls.

The statue - monument to the men of the Durham Light Infantry in the centre of Durham.

The statue of NEPTUNE in the centre of Durham City

Durham: The River Wear and Durham Cathedral from the Prebends'? Bridge.

Durham: A rather ecclesiastical looking gatehouse near the Cathedral.

The Almshouses building which contains rather a good  cafe-restaurant! Originally the Bishop's Hospital of 1666?

Durham: The Almshouses (partly Tudor), now a cafe, on College Green

Durham: The Keep, part of Durham Castle.

Durham: The entrance to Durham Castle.

Durham: A fine early Georgian? house near the Castle on College Green. This is Bishop Cosin's Hall, a seven-bay, three-storeyed brick mansion with a most sumptuous early 18th century door-piece. It was originally known as Archdeacon's Inn.

Durham: The College Green University Library and Gallery, part of which was the grammar school founded in 1541.

Durham: Nothing like mixing high culture with cheap food! The street leading up to the Cathedral

Durham: Shopping street down from the Cathedral into Market Square in the Old Town.

There are several art shops' with a gallery of locally produced art eg the 'Northumbrian' work of the artist Gill Gill

Durham Miners Gala (images from 2017)

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The Durham Miners' Gala is a large annual gathering held on the second Saturday in July in the city of Durham, England. It is associated with the coal mining heritage (and particularly that of miners' trade unionism) of the Durham Coalfield, which stretched throughout the traditional County of Durham. It is also locally called "The Big Meeting" or "Durham Big Meeting". In the context of the Durham Miners' Gala. Its highlight consists of a parade of banners, each typically accompanied by a brass band, which are marched to the old Racecourse, where political speeches are delivered. In the afternoon a Miners' service is held in Durham Cathedral, which may include the blessing of any new banners. (source wikipedia)

The start of the 2017 Durham Miners Gala from the centre of Durham

Some great brass bands marching in the 2017 Durham Miners Gala

Old mining union lodge banners make a colourful contribution to the 2017 Durham Miners Gala.

The grand old socialist warrior , the MP Dennis Skinner, a firm favourite of the 2017 Durham Miners Gala crowds.

Old Elvet Street has seen it all before!

Everyone of the 2017 Durham Miners Gala assembling on the old race course.

Ken Loach and Jeremy Corbyn, who both spoke at the 2017 Durham Miners Gala.

See also Durham Cathedral

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The City of Durham is dominated by the Cathedral but there are many other interesting places to visit too and lovely walking by the river. The Almshouses cafe-restaurant (left & right) by the Cathedral and Castle and the Brown Sugar Bar & Cafe (below right, excellent comfortable sofas!)) are two good eating places in the City of Durham, especially on the grey day in January that it was!