[Closed] Durham - things to do/places to eat/drink

Things to do wise.. the Cathedral is simply stunning even for us heathens. After that its a nice place to wander around but actually its a very small place.

Lots of good pubs, bars and independent restaurants, it can get a bit "lively" on a Saturday night...

It's 20 years since I was a student there but the cathedral will be as impressive as it has been for several hundred years, climb the cathedral tower for the views, walk along the river for as long as you want and see the iconic views and if you're willing to walk a little way head out to the Botanic gardens. City is small so easy to walk everywhere.

Pub and restaurant knowledge is likely too out of date to be useful although the Court Inn and Wennels cafe were still the same a couple of years ago.

I was there last weekend. 31 years since I was a student....

Court Inn has closed for redevelopment (!!!)

Loads to walk around and see, try and see if you can get a Castle tour as well as Cathedral. https://www.dur.ac.uk/durham.castle/whatson/tour/ Cathedral you can just turn up for, and it is stunning especially as this bit of restoration is done and the scaffolding is all down for the first time in years. Botanical Gdns for Sunday morning restoratives......

Pubs - to many to list, but you MUST visit the Victoria on Hallgarth St, almost unspoilt for 100 years. Dun Cow on Old Elvet, Shakespeare on Silver St, and Old Elm Tree on Crossgate all good. There's a newish craft beer place also on Crossgate (Holy GrALE) also interesting, a bit livelier is Head of Steam in a yard behind North Road. Student places are towards Silver St (The Library looked popular), the locals seemed to be around the new entertainment hub at Walkergate. Tin of Sardines on Elvet Bridge for gin if you can get in.....

Food - didn't eat myself (OK, chips and curry sauce later on) but the Indian and Lebanese both on North Bailey are supposed to be good.

Sunday brunch, they were queuing up the road for Flat White Kitchen so didn't go there but if popularity is worth anything it must be good.

& if it’s crap weather the Gulbenkian Museum. Its ok if you like Far Eastern history.
A walk round the riverbanks if it a nice enough day, stunning views of the Cathedral from below.
The Cathedral itself is an absolute must as others have said.
I’m from Durham originally but haven’t been into the city for yonks, so am unable to advise about pubs etc.

I believe Barnard Castle is worth a trip

Any good cafes?

I might be up there next week

Zen is our favourite restaurant, consistently good Asian food.

The Station House is worth a visit if you like your craft ales.

If you want a cafe recommendation I’d try river view cafe off silver street down the steps behind rib n reef. I live in Durham and the court inn has closed and I’m not sure if it will be reopening.
I do recommend the old elm tree and if you like your rock music then head over to the angel which is opposite. There is a pancake house next to the elm tree which is cosy but the foods great if you like your pancakes and want something different.
Old toms gin bar at millburngate for gin and zen, Lebaneat or the tapas factory if you’re keen to avoid chain restaurants.
Shopping wise the city is disappointing but the cathedral is worth a visit and exploring the riverbanks too.

I can recommend (for beers if nothing else) The Holy Grale, The Station House and The Waiting Room which is on the station platform. Wharton Park is nice for a walk around and the riverside paths are always insta worthy, although you’ve probably missed the best of the autumnal colours now

I live and work local. A walk along the riverbanks is good, take a boat out from the boathouse for £10. Finchale priory is well worth an explore look but park on cocked road and walk down the steps or footpath.

Food and drink wise just wander round the city and see what you fancy. Stay away from north road if you can the bus station redevelopment has left that area a magnet for undesirables but the Indian at the top is very nice.

Edit to add its Browns Rowing boats which is situated outside of the boathouse pub.

Food wise: Lebaneat and Zen are both superb. Shaheed was a very good Indian too, but it’s donkeys since I ate there.

Station house is a good shout. More seats are upstairs.

North road has always been rough if yer not a local (it’s where the conflict of pit-village-with-big-church is laid bare for all to see).

If you head out of town a little way, Bistro Citron Vert in High Pittington is brilliant.

Cathedral is ace, if you can blag a roof space tour it’s well worth it. Properly fascinating how much is hidden above your head.

Should you need a bike shop, infinity cycles in Langley Moor are pretty darned good. Failing that Danny H’s mechanic Scott runs Cyclefix in Birtley (best wheels I’ve ever had built).

Oh, and Hamsterley is 20mins down the road.

If the weather is good you can make a nice walk along the river to Maiden Castle Promontory Fort, then through Houghall College to the Wicker Man and the other sculptures in Low Burnhall Woods. You might be able to fit in a drink at the Honest Lawyer too and then back on the river to Shincliffe. It's a shame you're not here next weekend as Lumiere is on. If you're here on the weekend of the 19th Dec, and you like football, Durham Women FC are playing at home (Maiden Castle). You've got other museum options too, such as the Archaeology Museum and the Oriental Museum.

I believe Barnard Castle is worth a trip

Barney is quite nice, walks by the river, castle, etc.

The Bowes Museum on the edge of town is, however, worth going a long way out of your way to visit.

Durham has plenty for a weekend pottering. Cathedral and walk / view of Cathedral from River is a must. Not a regular in town but the Victoria is a very good pub.

Thanks everyone. Loads to go on there. I'm there on a date weekend, so no biking at Hamsterly 😆. Fingers crossed for good weather though as I like the idea of the boat trip, trip up the tower etc. during the day.