15 Iconic Buildings to Explore in Durham

Checkout places to visit in Durham

Durham is a cathedral city and the county town of County Durham in North East England. The city lies on the River Wear, to the southwest of Sunderland, south of Newcastle upon Tyne, and to the north of Darlington. Founded over the final resting place of St Cuthbert, its Norman cathedral became a center of pilgrimage in medieval England.

Popular Activities And Trips in Durham

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Iconic Buildings to Explore in Durham

Auckland Castle

Auckland Castle, once home to the Prince Bishops of Durham. It is one of the best-preserved bishops’ palaces in the whole of Europe and is at the center of The Auckland Project. Previously a deer park, Bishop Hugh Pudsey established a manor house on the site in around 1183. Because it was near to his hunting estate, a successor, Bishop Bek, relocated his main residence from Durham Castle to Auckland and he later converted the manor house into a castle.

A majestic and beautiful castle which was set on a high rock above the River Tees. It sits on the fringe of an attractive working market town also known as ‘Barney’ so there is plenty to do for families on a day out. The castle, an English Heritage property, was named after its 12th Century founder, Bernard de Balliol, and was later developed by Richard III whose boar emblem is carved above a window in the inner ward.

Bishop Auckland Town Hall

Bishop Auckland Town Hall is a multi-purpose cultural venue situated in the Bishop Auckland marketplace. The Hall with its theatre, gallery, library, and café has undergone a major refurbishment program and was due to fully reopen to the public earlier in 2020. The building held a prominent position in the town and dominated the area with its strong mansard pavilions, spires, and associated ironwork.

Bowes Castle is part of a small cluster of English Heritage sites in the south of County Durham. It was constructed to guard the strategic route known as the Stainmore Pass, and was occupied from the late 1st century AD to the late 4th century. The importance of this route and the crucial defensive position of the fort were recognised by Henry II who built the keep in the north-west sector of the fort.

Brancepeth Castle

Brancepeth Castle is a medieval castle near Durham. First constructed in the mid-12th century, it has a dynamic history, constantly changing hands and use. The current building is a combination of the Neville’s medieval towers with early 19th-century additions by the Russells, who employed Edinburgh architect John Paterson to sensitively create a grand stately home within the walls and extensions.

Sitting at the heart of Durham's World Heritage Site and occupied continuously since the 11th century, the Castle is now home to the students of University College, part of Durham University. Designated as a cultural World Heritage Site in England, along with Durham Cathedral, since 1986. The castle stands on top of a hill above the River Wear on Durham's peninsula.

Egglestone Abbey

A rare example of an abbey that was temporarily converted to a manorial seat and later stripped for building materials when the aristocrats who owned it decided to build a much larger mansion nearby. The site buildings are protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and they are maintained by English Heritage.

Gibside Estate is situated on the steep, southern slopes of the Derwent Valley. It is now a National Trust property. Gibside Hall, the main house on the estate, is now a shell, although the property is most famous for its chapel. The stables, walled garden, Column to Liberty and Banqueting House are also intact.

Over 1,000 acres of historic park and woodland set against a backdrop of dramatic views of Lambton Castle. It was built around an existing 17th Century mansion, Harraton Hall. The castle was designed by Joseph Bonomi and his son Ignatius and built in the style of a Norman castle. The grounds of the castle are a Grade 2 listed park and garden.

Palace Green is an area of grass in the centre of Durham, England, flanked by Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle. The Cathedral and Castle together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is situated on top of the narrow, high peninsula formed by a sharp bend in the River Wear.

Raby Castle isis a medieval castle located near Staindrop in County Durham, England, built by John Neville, 3rd Baron Neville de Raby, between approximately 1367 and 1390. It was surrounded by 200 acres of lush green parkland, where herds of red and fallow deer live wild. Explore the park and amble around the ponds to spot plenty of wildlife that inhabit this remarkable setting.

One of the purest examples of the neo-Palladian villa constructed between 1725-1730. The house is well known as the original English home of the painting The Toilet of Venus by Diego Velázquez, now known in English as The Rokeby Venus. It was one of the iconic buildings which attracts a lot of tourists to enjoy the architectural b eauty and the surroundings too.

St Chad's College Chapel

St Chad's College is a recognized college of Durham University in England, founded in 1904 as an Anglican hall for the training of Church of England clergy. The main part of the college is located on the Bailey, occupying nine historic buildings at the east end of Durham Cathedral. It neighbors Hatfield College to its north, while St John's College and St Cuthbert's Society are to its south. The college is named after St Chad of Mercia, a seventh-century bishop.

Stanhope Castle

A beautiful and majestic castle, which was set in the bustling market town of Stanhope, surrounded by the beautiful countryside fields and hills of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It comprises of a beautiful lawn to the front of the house, and side elevation and beautiful woodland pathways lead to the river.

The Durham Dales Centre

One of the unique venues with a range of attractions such as a tearoom offering homemade hot and cold meals, specialty coffees and teas, gift shops and speciality craft shops, gardens, visitor information, function room, and business offices. The grounds of the Centre boasts a wonderful site, also home to a wonderful sculpture, covered in lots of fossils, known as Frosterley Marble.

Map of Iconic Buildings to Explore in Durham