Durham Town Hall, Durham
Durham鈥檚 Town Hall has been running the city show since the 14th century-and after a recent glow-up, it鈥檚 finally open to curious visitors again. Sitting proudly on the west side of the old Market Place, it鈥檚 sometimes confused with the nearby Guild Hall, but don鈥檛 be fooled-they鈥檙e neighbors, not twins.
The original hall popped up in 1356 as a meeting spot for merchant guilds, likely over ale and heated debates about wool prices. That modest wooden structure didn鈥檛 last-Prince-Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall gave it a 1535 makeover, and then in 1665, another Bishop, John Cosin, decided it needed a second facelift. They were clearly on to something, because part of Cosin鈥檚 handiwork still stands today.
Round the back is what folks call the "new" Town Hall, though it's been around since 1851. It comes in full Perpendicular Gothic flair, all pointy windows and dramatic lines. Inside, the Great Hall stretches a stately 72 feet, with a hammer-beam roof that shows off like it鈥檚 auditioning for a Gothic cathedral. Below, plaques salute Durham鈥檚 local legends in style.
And while we鈥檙e reminiscing: meet Count Boruwlaski, an 18th-century court favorite who stood just over three feet tall and went by 'the Little Count.' He charmed royals across Europe-and now his personal belongings have settled here, clearly preferring good company.
The Town Hall also guards the original city charter, ceremonial swords, and pikes-because every good city needs a little medieval pageantry under its roof.
The original hall popped up in 1356 as a meeting spot for merchant guilds, likely over ale and heated debates about wool prices. That modest wooden structure didn鈥檛 last-Prince-Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall gave it a 1535 makeover, and then in 1665, another Bishop, John Cosin, decided it needed a second facelift. They were clearly on to something, because part of Cosin鈥檚 handiwork still stands today.
Round the back is what folks call the "new" Town Hall, though it's been around since 1851. It comes in full Perpendicular Gothic flair, all pointy windows and dramatic lines. Inside, the Great Hall stretches a stately 72 feet, with a hammer-beam roof that shows off like it鈥檚 auditioning for a Gothic cathedral. Below, plaques salute Durham鈥檚 local legends in style.
And while we鈥檙e reminiscing: meet Count Boruwlaski, an 18th-century court favorite who stood just over three feet tall and went by 'the Little Count.' He charmed royals across Europe-and now his personal belongings have settled here, clearly preferring good company.
The Town Hall also guards the original city charter, ceremonial swords, and pikes-because every good city needs a little medieval pageantry under its roof.
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Durham Town Hall on Map
Sight Name: Durham Town Hall
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