Durham boasts a spectacular and varied landscape, combining a rugged coastline with breath-taking dales and a bustling city steeped in history. The home-place of writers such as Basil Bunting, Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Anne Stevenson, Durham has a strong literary tradition that underpins the annual Book Festival.
Durham City’s profound sense of heritage is matched by its commitment to progress. The dramatic city skyline is one of the most stunning panoramas in Europe, and is dominated by the ‘UK’s number one landmark’ Durham Cathedral and its adjacent castle – a world UNESCO heritage site. It is also home to one of the finest universities in the country, with Durham University ranked fifth in the Guardian University Guide 2019 and consistently pioneering world-class innovation in research.
The Durham Dales and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are home to incredible scenery and fascinating attractions, including The Bowes Museum, a magnificent French-style chateau housing an impressive collection of European and fine arts, and medieval Raby Castle, home to Lord Barnard’s family since 1626. And don’t miss High Force, one of England’s largest waterfalls.
