Durham and Northumberland guide and sightseeing         

Summary
Durham’s one-two whammy of 11th century cathedral and castle has been described as ‘one of Europe’s finest architectural experiences’ and the pair are listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The city of Durham is no less impressive, with a cobbled Victorian Market and many pretty streets leading down to the River Wear which wends its way through the city.

Watch university rowing teams race past or take a gentle river cruise past the 19th century racecourse which is the scene of an annual rowing Regatta every June.

Getting there/getting around Durham
Both Newcastle and Durham Tees Valley Airports are within a 40-minute drive from the centre of Durham and are served by many internal flights – including from London, Birmingham, Aberdeen, Southampton, Bristol and Cardiff.

The train from London to Durham takes under three hours, changing at York, a train from Edinburgh takes one and three quarter hours. The city centre is compact and most sights are easily reached by foot.

Sightseeing in Durham
Start your sightseeing at the breathtaking Norman cathedral which was founded in 1093 as a shrine to St Cuthbert and perches atop a peninsula of land created by the winding of the River Wear. Then head over to the castle, which was founded slightly earlier in 1072 and now houses University College, a residential college of Durham’s prestigious university. You can even stay here during the summer holidays; otherwise there are daily guided tours. The Treasury Museum and Museum of Archaeology have some fascinating relics for those interested in Durham’s 1,000-year old history.

Alternatively, get out and explore the city with a hosted walk. Qualified guides take groups from the Tourist Information Centre. Day trips include the 12th century Auckland Castle in Bishops Auckland, Beamish Open-Air Museum, Barnard Castle and Hadrian’s Wall, the most spectacular section of which is found between Brampton and Corbridge.

Durham and Northumberland family attractions, day trips and shopping experiences         

Family attractions in Durham and Northumberland
Harry Potter fans will enjoy a visit to Alnwick Castle, the famous film set location of Hogwarts School in the film. The castle was also the location for the Blackadder series. This magnificent medieval castle, surrounded by acres of scenic parkland, woods and moors, dates back to the 11th century. It is the ancestral home to the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and the second-largest inhabited castle in England after Windsor Castle. You can find out more about its rich history by taking a guided tour. Or send the kids to Knights School for the afternoon, where they can dress up as knights and damsels, design their own shield and learn what life was like centuries ago.

Dilston Physic Garden is another place the whole family can enjoy. These beautiful gardens house more than 500 species of medicinal plants. There is also a lovely chamomile lawn, a sage garden, a culinary area, a poison garden, a bamboo avenue and a heart-and-mind section. Next to each plant there’s an explanation of its healing uses and medicinal properties. Dilston Physic Garden also runs short half- and one-day educational courses about plants and herbs.  

Day trips around Durham and Northumberland
Take a trip to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, the place where Christianity first started in England. The nearest town is Berwick-upon-Tweed, where you can reach either by car, bus, or taxi. The island is linked to the mainland by a three-mile causeway, which you can only cross at low tide, so when you’re planning your trip, take into account tide times. You will find tide tables in the local papers. Things to see on the island include the magnificent 16th-century Tudor Lindisfarne Castle, which sits on top of a rocky crag. There is also a priory that dates back to AD635, St Mary the Virgin Church, and a museum that charts Anglo-Saxon and medieval life. Take a walk too around the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve.

For a novel experience, take the family to Pot-a-Doodle Do Wigwam Village, in Scremerston, near Berwick Park, where you can stay in a wigwam or teepee for the night. Or just drop in and try out some of the arts and crafts activities such as pottery, glass blowing, painting and making mosaics. Pot-a-Doodle Do is situated on the Northumberland coastline, in the vicinity of some lovely, unspoilt beaches. You can also go hiking, fishing and pony trekking. There is also a café and restaurant which serves delicious home-made meals.

Shopping in Durham and Northumberland
Prince Bishops shopping centre, in the heart of the city, is one of Durham’s main shopping centres. Another key shopping spot is the Gates Shopping Centre, on the north side of the city. Have a wander too around the Durham Indoor Market, which has more than 80 stalls. For all sorts of interesting artwork – from photography to fine art – check out Fowlers Yard Creative Workspaces, where you can view – and buy – the work of local artists.

The main shopping centre in Newcastle is Eldon Square, which is also Britain’s largest city shopping centre. The main shopping street is Northumberland Street. If you’re into antiques, visit the Antiques Village in Jesmond for some interesting finds. Central Street is great for vintage and retro clothes. In Northumberland you will also find lots of interesting shops in the smaller villages and towns selling arts, crafts and fresh local produce.

Durham and Northumberland nightlife, restaurants and bars

Eating out in Durham and Northumberland
Northumberland spans a fantastic choice of restaurants. One of the best restaurants in Durham is Oldfields, famous for its delicious traditional British dishes. Hollathan’s, a relaxed restaurant with a cosmopolitan menu, is another good choice. For a novel dining experience, try The Treehouse in Alnwick. This restaurant is literally located within an enormous treehouse.

Also worth a visit is The County, a wonderful gastropub in Aycliffe Village. If you like good seafood and hearty dishes, try the Sportsman in Embleton. You’ll find plenty more great seafood places along the Northumberland coast. For a special treat, visit the award-winning The Rose and Crown at Romaldkirk. The restaurant here is housed within an 18th-century coaching inn, which overlooks a village green and stocks. For good old-fashioned home cooking, head for Dipton Mill, near Hexham.

Nightlife in Durham and Northumberland
Expect a good choice of places to go to in the evenings, be it for a quiet drink in an old-fashioned pub, a stylish wine bar or a lively club. In Durham, bars to look out for include Bar Arabia, a small, cosy lounge bar behind Market Square that plays a mix of sounds including jazz and R&B, Jimmy Allen’s, a cavern bar on Elvet Bridge and Vennels, a café by day that turns into a stylish wine bar at night.

In Newcastle, you’ll find lots of lively bars along the Quayside, and on Osborne Road in Jesmond. The city also has its fair share of clubs such as Digital, a large superclub, The Attic and Baja Beach Club. You’ll also find a good selection of bars and clubs in smaller towns around Northumberland, such as Bedrocks in Berwick-upon-Tweed and Oliver’s Wine Bar in Blyth.