Durham Cathedral

Built in the late 11th to early 12th centuries to honour the relics of St Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede, Durham Cathedral stands over 218 feet tall and dominates the Durham skyline.

What is Durham Cathedral like?

Durham Cathedral is an example of Norman-Romanesque architecture. Guests can look around the pillars in the Nave and admire stone-work and craftmanship. The grand vaulted ceiling is the oldest of its kind in the world.

You can learn more about the Cathedral’s extensive history by joining a guided tour or by meandering through the on-site museum with its artefacts and interactive exhibitions.

Film buffs and Harry Potter fans may recognise the medieval Cloisters. Here you can follow in the footsteps of the monks who once lived here. Other things to see include the Rose Window, the 13th-century Chapel of the Nine Altars and Prior Castell’s clock.

Following restoration works, you can now brave the climb up the central tower. You must buy a ticket to do so and clamber up 325 steps to reach the peak.

The Undercroft Restaurant offers refreshments, and there is an on-site shop. You are allowed to bring your food outside to picnic in the Monks Garden.

Accessibility

As the cathedral dates back thousands of years, it is not wholly accessible. However, measures have been introduced to make it as accessible as possible. For example, it is mostly level and there is ramped access to and within the Cathedral. Some areas are accessible only via steps. However, this can be bypassed by using the cathedral’s Stairclimber.

There is disabled lift access to the cathedral shop and restaurant, and there are two sets of accessible toilets. The information desks for the cathedral and museum are both equipped with induction loops for people with hearing impairments.

The city of Durham has cobbled streets, steep hills and narrow passages. Moreover, there is little to no parking available by Durham Cathedral itself. The Durham Cathedral Bus is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, taking guests to and from the Cathedral.

Further points of interest

Durham Castle is only a stone’s throw away from the Cathedral.