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| A classic ‘must-see’ view of Durham Cathedral over the River Wear – the best view of the Cathedral in my opinion 🙂 |
Durham Cathedral & Riverside Walk
Any visitor to the city of Durham in Northern England should visit the impressive Cathedral and to get the best views of the Cathedral I highly recommend a short river walk where you can get views of the Cathedral form multiple impressive viewpoints.
WALK OVERVIEW:
DISTANCE: 1.5 miles
TIME: 30-45mins hours
DIFFICULTY: EASY
DURHAM CATHEDRAL WALK MAP ROUTE
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| This is the circular route I’d recommend to get all the best vantage points of the Cathedral. Start at Elvet Bridge and  walk up Bailey Street to Durham Catherdral to admire it up close, and go inside if you have the time. Afterwards look for the walk through the side alley down to the River Wear – then head along the river path to Prebends Bridge – then back along the river where you will get impressive views of the Cathedral (where the star is, and where the photo at the top of this page was taken). You’ll then cross the river again at Framwellgate Bridge, more great views of the Cathedral, then head back via the Market Square. |
Durham Cathedral: A Must-See Gem in the North East
If you’re after a bit of history, stunning architecture, and a cracking walk, then Durham Cathedral is an absolute must-visit. Perched high above the River Wear, this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in the country. Whether you’re just admiring it from the outside or venturing inside to soak in the atmosphere, there’s something truly special about this place. It’s no wonder it’s been standing proud for nearly 1,000 years!
Durham Cathedral was built in 1093 to house the shrine of Saint Cuthbert, one of the North’s most important religious figures. His remains were brought here after years of being moved around to keep them safe from Viking raids. The cathedral also holds the tomb of the Venerable Bede, an early historian who helped document England’s past. With its towering columns, intricate carvings, and beautiful stained glass, it’s not hard to see why people have been coming here for centuries.
One of the best ways to experience Durham Cathedral is by taking a walk along the River Wear. The short riverside walk featured on this page gives you some of the best views of the cathedral standing high above the trees. If you’re feeling energetic, you can also climb the Cathedral Tower in Durham cathedral itself —all 325 steps of it! The effort is worth it, though, as the views over Durham and beyond are absolutely breathtaking.
Whether you’re into history, stunning architecture, or just fancy a peaceful walk, Durham Cathedral is well worth a visit. It’s free to enter (though donations are welcome), and there’s always something new to discover. So next time you’re in the North East, make sure you pop by—you won’t regret it!
PHOTOS OF THIS DURHAM WALK
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| View from Elvet Bridge, towards the prince Bishops Car park – a good place to park the car and start! |
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| Heading up the cobbled Elvet Bridge Street |
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| Turn left into Saddler Street |
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| As you leave Saddler Street you will get superb views of Durham Cathedral, A UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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| The building of Durham Cathedral began in 1093, and is regarded as one of the finest examples of Norman Architecture in Europe! If you have time a visit inside is also well worth it |
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| As you head down to the river path from the cathedral – you don’t really get any views of it again until you cross Prebends Bridge |
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| This classic view of Durham Cathedral over the River Wear is popular with photographers and you can see why. On the map at the top of this page it is where the ‘star’ is |
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| Heading towards Framwellgate Bridge |
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| Impressive views of Durham Cathedral from Framwellgate Bridge |
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| This is looking south from Framwellgate Bridge towards the cathedral and Prenbeds Bridge |
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| On the other side of the bridge looking north you can see how the newer parts of Durham are shaping up |
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| Durham Market square on a quiet evening |
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Heading out of the market square back to the start. There are lots of cafe’s, restaurants and pubs to end this walk around here!
As ever I hope you have enjoyed this little write up and photos and it inspires you to want to visit the area and give the route a go.  If you have any questions about this route – just post a comment and I’ll try and answer.Â
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