Tuesday, 1 October 2019
Rick Steves: "Without its cathedral, Durham would hardly be noticed. But this magnificently situated structure is hard to miss. Seemingly happy to go nowhere, Durham sits along the tight curve of its river, snug below its castle and famous church. It has a medieval, cobbled atmosphere and a scraggly peasant's indoor market just off the main square. Durham is home to England's third-oldest university, with a student vibe jostling against its lingering working-class mining-town feel. You'll see tattooed and pierced people in search of job security and a good karaoke bar. Yet Durham has a youthful liveliness and small town warmth that shines - especially on sunny days, when most everyone is out licking ice-cream cones."
Alas, it's another rainy day in England, as it has been for several days.
Alas, it's another rainy day in England, as it has been for several days.
The Durham Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Durham, the fourth-ranked bishop in the Church of England hierarchy. The present cathedral was begun in 1093, replacing the Saxon 'White Church', and is regarded as one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Europe. In 1986 the cathedral and Durham Castle were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Durham University
And then we're in York by sunset, and find ourselves another good craft brewery to escape the rain.