Durham Attractions
Durham boasts a huge range of cultural attractions. From industrial heritage to art collections, ancient castles to exotic gardens, rail heritage to religious heritage, it's got it all.
The iconic Cathedral and Castle UNESCO World Heritage site was the first to be designated and is one of the finest surviving examples of Romanesque architecture on the planet.
There are castles and historic houses filled with dazzling art and furniture collections. While The Bowes Museum is home to European art and the famous mechanical Silver Swan dating back to 1773. Or step back in time at Beamish Museum and experience life in the North in the 1800s and 1900s.
Marvel at the work of Saxon stonemasons who created Esomb's tiny church, a place of worship for over 1400 years! Hop aboard a steam engine at Locomotion in Shildon, ride the world's oldest existing line at Tanfield Railway or pop on a hard hat and head down the mine at Killhope, the North of England Mining Museum. Delve into the tropical collections in the University Botanical Garden or meander through the themed borders at Crook Hall.
Fowlers Yard Creative Workspaces - Durham's unique visitor attraction (and best kept secret!!) provides visitors with the opportunity to meet artists and craftspeople and observe different creative processes, such as, goldsmithing, painting, textile arts, embroidery, tapestry, photography, micro brewing, print making and illustrating. All in a beautiful spot overlooking the River Wear in the city centre of Durham? Fowlers Yard is a little oasis within this beautiful city where you can Read More…
The centrepiece of Durham’s arts programme, the Gala Theatre is situated in a beautiful, purpose-built, £15m building on the banks of the river Wear in the heart of this historic city. The venue houses a state-of-the-art modern theatre, spacious and comfortable café-bar, two cinema screens and superb conference facilities. With a programme of live events attracting some of the country’s leading theatre companies, comedians, bands, Read More…
This Victorian building now houses a glass and art gallery on the ground floor, featuring artwork by over 120 artists from the North East. Range of art includes unique designs from stained glass and wood carving to pottery, hand-blown glass, textiles and paintings. The 1st and 2nd floors are the studio and workshops of stained glass artist Maralyn O'Keefe, whose work is sold internationally. It is here where she designs and manufactures both architectural Read More…
A former landscape garden designed by James Paine in the 18thC. Contains the remains of several follies and the serpentine lake. A new visitor centre with cafe is due to open in 2009. Open daily from 0700 to dusk. Read More…
