Durham hotels

One of England's prettiest cathedral settlements, Durham is a vibrant university city with a rustic, medieval charm that few other places in the country can match. It's ideal for romantic weekend breaks or business trips, and is home to a great selection of affordable and luxury hotels.

About Durham Cathedral

A magnificent Romanesque-style church dating back to the 11th Century, Durham Cathedral was originally a monastery, and is remarkably intact for its age. See the church's splendid stone-vaulted ceiling, and don't forget to observe it from the River Wear.

See the City's Iconic Castle

Also established in the Norman period, Durham Castle was an important lookout for defending the city from Scottish and Danish invasions. Today, part of the castle houses students of the University of Durham, and the building also has one of the largest Great Halls in the country. Book a guided tour to learn more about the castle's illustrious history, and find out why this building and the adjacent cathedral earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1986.

You can find a good selection of hotels within walking distance or just a short drive from Durham's castle and cathedral. Many of these offer delicious English or continental breakfasts to help you feel energised for a long day of sightseeing, and more-deluxe hotels often have stylish bars and restaurants serving excellent local and international cuisine.

Go to the Durham University Oriental Museum

Showcasing thousands of interesting artefacts on Asian history, the Durham University Oriental Museum is renowned for its large Chinese pottery collection and Ancient Egyptian findings.

Visit the Durham University Botanic Garden

Have a relaxing stroll through this picturesque garden, which includes many exotic plant species from Asia, Africa and South America.

Other Places to Explore in and Around Durham

See the city's pictorial Palace Green, take the family to the Adventure Valley theme park, or visit the historic Durham Indoor Market where dozens of traders sell fantastic locally sourced food. A short drive from Durham hotels is the Durham Heritage Coast, a Site of Special Scientific Interest that is acclaimed for its spectacular rock formations and thriving bird life.