Durham

The city can trace its history back a thousand years, to the arrival of a religious community seeking a permanent resting place for the body of St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne.

Following the Norman conquest of 1066, King William also found this site appealing and realised it offered an ideal strategic location from which to rule Northumbria and defend the region against the Scots. The community of Cuthbert gave way to Benedictine Monks and a Bishop appointed by the king. They began the building of the Cathedral, to provide a monumental shrine for St Cuthbert, and the Castle, to act as protection for the Cathedral and to provide a palace for the Bishop.

The result was one of the most impressive construction projects ever undertaken. The panoramic view of the Cathedral and Castle has been described as "one of the finest architectural experiences of Europe" and together they are now designated a World Heritage Site. Visitors are encouraged to explore the city and discover for themselves what makes it so special.
Beamish, Britain's favourite open air museum, set in over 300 acres of beautiful countryside, vividly recreates life in the North of England in the early 1800s and 1900s. Winner of both the British Museum of the Year and European Museum of the Year Awards, it demonstrates the recent history of the region in a "living" way and provides entertainment and education for visitors of all ages and interests.
 

Durham Castle	0191 334 3800
Durham Cathedral	0191 386 4266
Durham Cricket Club	0844 499 4466
Beamish Museum	0191 370 4000
The Bowes Museum	01833 690 606
Raby Castle / High Force	01833 660 202
Hall Hill Farm	01388 731 333
Killhope Lead Mining Museum	01388 537 505