Durham Castle, Durham (must see)
Just up from the River Wear鈥檚 wooded curve, Durham Castle holds court on its peninsula perch. Construction kicked off in 1072 on orders from William the Conqueror-because what鈥檚 the point of conquering a country if you can鈥檛 plant a stone fortress to prove it? Things got off to a rocky start: the local nobleman put in charge rebelled and lost both his job and his head. The castle then passed to the Bishops of Durham, who weren鈥檛 just churchmen-they ruled like mini-monarchs for the next 700 years.
The castle鈥檚 layout followed the Norman playbook: a central mound surrounded by walled courtyards known as baileys. By the time Henry VIII rolled in, the place had shed some of its battle gear and started dressing like a palace. In the early 1600s, it played host to royalty-including a Scottish king who鈥檇 later moonlight as England鈥檚 monarch. Clearly, the castle was no stranger to fine company by that point.
In 1832, the drawbridge dropped for students. The newly founded University of Durham moved in, and scholars have been living in this historic stronghold ever since. Its massive stone keep still stands guard, and the courtyard-with its original gatehouse and moat-feels straight out of a medieval daydream. Inside, you鈥檒l find a 500-year-old working kitchen, a Great Hall straight from a fantasy film set (no, really-it featured in Harry Potter), and a black oak staircase grand enough to command a bow.
Just outside, Palace Green once hosted Durham鈥檚 central market, but today it鈥檚 more likely to host tourists, students, and the occasional ghost story. They say a university tutor still haunts the cobbles-possibly looking for overdue essays.
Since 1986, Durham Castle has been part of a UNESCO World Heritage duo with its neighbor, the cathedral. Together, they鈥檝e earned top marks in architecture, atmosphere, and ancient intrigue. And yes-you can visit. And maybe pack a garlic clove鈥� just in case.
The castle鈥檚 layout followed the Norman playbook: a central mound surrounded by walled courtyards known as baileys. By the time Henry VIII rolled in, the place had shed some of its battle gear and started dressing like a palace. In the early 1600s, it played host to royalty-including a Scottish king who鈥檇 later moonlight as England鈥檚 monarch. Clearly, the castle was no stranger to fine company by that point.
In 1832, the drawbridge dropped for students. The newly founded University of Durham moved in, and scholars have been living in this historic stronghold ever since. Its massive stone keep still stands guard, and the courtyard-with its original gatehouse and moat-feels straight out of a medieval daydream. Inside, you鈥檒l find a 500-year-old working kitchen, a Great Hall straight from a fantasy film set (no, really-it featured in Harry Potter), and a black oak staircase grand enough to command a bow.
Just outside, Palace Green once hosted Durham鈥檚 central market, but today it鈥檚 more likely to host tourists, students, and the occasional ghost story. They say a university tutor still haunts the cobbles-possibly looking for overdue essays.
Since 1986, Durham Castle has been part of a UNESCO World Heritage duo with its neighbor, the cathedral. Together, they鈥檝e earned top marks in architecture, atmosphere, and ancient intrigue. And yes-you can visit. And maybe pack a garlic clove鈥� just in case.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Durham. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Durham Castle on Map
Sight Name: Durham Castle
Sight Location: Durham, England (See walking tours in Durham)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Durham, England (See walking tours in Durham)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Durham, England
Create Your Own Walk in Durham
Creating your own self-guided walk in Durham is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Durham Introduction Walking Tour
According to the legend, it all started with a missing cow. Back in 995, a group of monks fleeing Viking raiders were hauling around the remains of Saint Cuthbert when their saintly cargo decided to stop moving. No matter how hard they tried, the bier wouldn鈥檛 budge-until a milkmaid chasing her lost dun cow wandered past. ("Dun" is a dull shade of brownish grey. ) The monks took the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles