Travel

Durham, England, Cathedral and Town

travel videos & photos at: https://townsofeurope.com/ with text, maps & links. Durham is a small historic city in England with lovely pedestrian lanes that look something like a painting come to life. Durham is most famous for its ancient cathedral, a World Heritage site that we will soon bring you inside. Durham is easily reached by train from the nearby city of Newcastle, just 11 minutes away, or from York, about a 45-minute train ride. 00:00 intro 00:17 arrival 00:37 walk to town 01:16 map 01:38 Market Place 01:58 Saint Nicholas’ Church 02:13 pedestrian lanes 02:24 Silver Street 02:40 Saddler Street 03:26 Palace Green 03:38 Google Earth view 03:51 Cathedral 05:05 student rehearsal 05:22 cloister 05:51 Undercroft 06:04 departure and route summary 06:47 easy daytrip 07:07 train service The main square of Durham is called the Market Place, a hub of activity surrounded by impressive buildings. It's the most popular gathering space in the city, adorned with beautiful statues, a church steeple, comfortable benches where people can hang out, with shops all around, and Saint Nicholas Church, built in Victorian Gothic style in the mid-19th century. Next to it, Town Hall, seat of government for more than 600 years. While at the Market Place, it's worth having a look at some of the pedestrian lanes that emanate out from it. So, if you have some time before walking to the cathedral, take a stroll out from the marketplace along those lanes, such as Silver Street. The city has a population of about 50,000 people, nearly half of whom are college students, so it's likely that most of the people that you see out walking are not tourists. They live here. Durham University is one of the UK's most prestigious, attracting students from all over the world, which gives a youthful energy to the city. After having a look at those little side lanes, find your way back over to the main street of the city called Saddler, that will lead directly to the cathedral. Upon entering the church, you will be astonished that such a large, beautiful building could have been constructed nearly 1000 years ago. The architectural style is called Norman, derived from Normandy in France, from which William the Conqueror had just invaded England about 30 years before this was constructed. Romanesque is the other term for this style of architecture that features rounded arches, rather than the later pointed arches of the Gothic. Columns and walls are also massive because there was very little external buttressing to hold the structure up. You can then exit through this tunnel that will bring you over to the River Walkway, and then connect up to some of the little side lanes of the town for your exit from the City of Durham, a most beautiful place with a fascinating history.