The Old Mill

Palace Green

by steventilly

Outside the castle & cathedral is Palace Green. Unfortunately this is often a glorified car park for "officials", which rather spoils the views. Today I was lucky.
Sometimes (especially at Christmas) there is a giant craft market held on the green.
(More pics in the "must see" section).

Don't ignore the outbuildings at the Cathedral

by sourbugger

Durham Cathedral is by far and away the most important "Must see" sight in Durham, but when you have look around this mighty structure don't forget to explore the areas on the opposite side to the entrance from Palace Green.

Here you will find a well preserved cloister, a few pieces of modern art, an audio-visual display and the impressive monks dormitory.

This room has a very grand wooden roof that stands proud - like the upturned hull of a ship.
One end of the building is cordoned off as it is the Library for the Theology Faculty - what a great setting, but very dusty as I remember from the hours (O.K minutes) I must hace spent in there.

The undercroft restaurant also does teas and light lunches here.

Through a passage way in the far corner of the cloister you come to an area called 'the College' . This is still the 'precincts' area of the cathedral, housing many of the clergy. In this area the Choristers are also educated.

From the college you can walk through an arch back onto the Bailey (road).

Castle

by steventilly

The castle is a hall of residence for Durham University. Nice, huh?
You can visit inside only with a guided tour (leaving regularly, a good idea is to check times before going into the cathedral).

Durham Castle - Gatehouse

by iwys

The main entrance to the Castle from Palace Green leads across the old dry moat, filled in by Bishop Cosin in the 17th century, to the Gatehouse. Evidence of the original Norman gate is still visible in the outer arch of the gateway and the passage. The great gates themselves date back to the early sixteenth century. However, the outer walls and upper floors of the Gatehouse were rebuilt in neo-Gothic style by the architect James Wyatt for Bishop Barrington in the late 18th century.

If you go on a guided tour of the Castle, this is where you start.

Durham

by spidermiss

"Durham"

The city was founded in 995 AD and built on "Dunholm", island hill, by the River Wear. This was the resting place of St Cuthberts and attract a number of pilgrims to come and visit.

The city has one of the oldest universities in the country along with historic buildings, footbridges and green space.

The main attractions are the cathedral and the castle.