County Durham · North East England · Historic Market Town & Borough

Durham (County Durham (North East England)) Travel Guide

Durham is a premier historic destination in County Durham (North East England), featuring preserved British architecture, walkable heritage quarters, and direct National Rail links.

Last reviewed: · Prices in British Pounds Sterling (£ GBP) and US Dollars ($ USD) are approximate and for orientation only.

Why visit Durham (County Durham (North East England))

Durham (County Durham (North East England)) is a historic market town & borough in County Durham (North East England), United Kingdom, with a population of approximately 47,785 at an elevation of 52 m. Durham is a premier historic destination in County Durham (North East England), featuring preserved British architecture, walkable heritage quarters, and direct National Rail links.

County / Council AreaCounty Durham
Region / NationNorth East England
Coordinates & Elevation54.7768°N, -1.5757°E · 52 m
Nearest Airport / RailNewcastle Airport (NCL) · Newcastle Central & Durham (LNER)
Suggested Stay2–4 days
Daily Budget£95–£210 ($120–$265)

Getting to Durham & National Rail transit

From London & Edinburgh: Direct or 1-change National Rail services (LNER, GWR, Avanti West Coast, or ScotRail) plus regional airports.

Nearest Airport & Rail Hub: Newcastle Airport (NCL) (21 km) · National Rail / Coach: Newcastle Central & Durham (LNER).

Recommended Railcards & Heritage Passes: National Rail Railcard (1/3 off) & Contactless Pay-As-You-Go. Compare fares in £ GBP with our UK National Rail & £35 Railcard Calculator, London TfL Contactless & City Transit Calculator, and BritRail & Heritage Pass Calculator.

Top things to see & do in Durham

  • Durham Historic High Street & Market Cross
  • Durham Parish Church & Heritage Quarter
  • County Durham Scenic Footpaths & National Trust Surrounds

Neighbourhoods & quarters

Durham Historic Centre

Walkable heritage core, high street, and landmark quarter of Durham.

Station & Riverside Quarter

Transport gateway and independent dining district in Durham.

What to eat in Durham — Local Specialties & British Culinary Guide

Dining in Durham reflects the culinary heritage of North East England, combining historic coaching-inn gastropubs, afternoon tearooms, farm-shop cheeses, and regional specialties.

Signature Local Dishes

Durham Must-Try Specialties

  • Craster Kippers (Oak-Smoked Herring)
  • Newcastle Brown Ale & Quayside Stottie Cake
  • Oak-Smoked Craster Kippers — North Sea herring split and cold-smoked for 16 hours over oak sawdust in traditional 19th-century Northumberland smokehouses, poached with butter (£11–£16).
  • Northumberland Pan Haggerty & Geordie Stottie — Layered thinly sliced potatoes, onions, and Northumberland cheese baked until crisp, alongside warm ham-and-pease-pudding stottie flatbreads.
  • Lindisfarne Oysters & Boulmer Crab — Cold-water oysters harvested along the Holy Island tidal flats and North Sea brown crab.

North East England Regional Cuisine

Regional Staples & Drinks

Oak-Smoked Craster Kippers (North Sea herring split and cold-smoked for 16 hours over oak sawdust in traditional 19th-century Northumberland smokehouses, poached with butter (£11–£16).) Northumberland Pan Haggerty & Geordie Stottie (Layered thinly sliced potatoes, onions, and Northumberland cheese baked until crisp, alongside warm ham-and-pease-pudding stottie flatbreads.) Lindisfarne Oysters & Boulmer Crab (Cold-water oysters harvested along the Holy Island tidal flats and North Sea brown crab.)

Local Drinks: Newcastle Brown Ale & Wylam Craft Beer, Lindisfarne St Aidan's Spiced Honey Mead, Earl Grey Tea (named after Northumberland's 2nd Earl Grey)

Where to Eat in Durham: Historic Coaching Inns, Gastropubs & Markets

Explore the high street and market square of Durham alongside regional culinary hubs including Grainger Market (Newcastle upon Tyne, est. 1835), Tynemouth Station Weekend Market, Durham Indoor Market Hall, Alnwick Market Place.

Recommended Dining Quarters: Grainger Market (Newcastle upon Tyne, est. 1835) · Tynemouth Station Weekend Market · Durham Indoor Market Hall · Alnwick Market Place

Local Cask Ales, Whiskies & Pairings: Newcastle Brown Ale & Wylam Craft Beer · Lindisfarne St Aidan's Spiced Honey Mead · Earl Grey Tea (named after Northumberland's 2nd Earl Grey)

Pub Ordering & 12.5% Service Tips: In British pubs, you order and pay for drinks (and often food) directly at the bar rather than waiting for table service — remember to note your table number first. At sit-down restaurants, check the bill for an optional 12.5% discretionary service charge before adding an extra tip. Use our British English Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards to order confidently.

Closest neighbouring UK towns to Durham