County Durham

Unitary authority in England

Coordinates:	54.7, -1.77
OS grid ref:	NZ 14 33

County Durham sits in the north-east of England and covers a varied landscape from the rolling moors of the North Pennines and the Durham Dales to a short, stony coastline around Seaham. The River Wear carves a dramatic valley through the county and gives its most famous settlement, Durham city, a naturally defensible peninsular site.

The area is rich in history: Durham Cathedral and the adjacent castle form a UNESCO World Heritage ensemble and reflect the medieval power of the Prince Bishops. Industrial heritage is preserved at places such as the open‑air Beamish Museum, while Durham University adds a scholarly and cultural pulse to the city, highlighted by events like the biennial Lumiere light festival.

Economically the county moved from coal and heavy industry to a more mixed economy of education, public services, manufacturing and tourism, with ongoing regeneration in former mining towns and steel centres such as Consett and Bishop Auckland. Rural communities remain important and the area is popular for walking, cycling and reservoir‑based recreation, giving it a balance of urban, industrial and largely unspoilt countryside character.

County Durham postcode districts

DH1, DH2, DH3, DH6, DH7, DH8, DH9, DL4, DL5, DL12, DL13, DL14, DL15, DL16, DL17, SR7, SR8, TS21, TS27, TS28, TS29

Most populated places in County Durham

Places in County Durham

Annfield Plain Built-up area
Barnard Castle Built-up area
Bishop Auckland Built-up area
Bowburn Built-up area
Brandon Built-up area
Brandon and Byshottles Parish
Burnopfield Built-up area
Castleside Built-up area
Chester-le-Street Built-up area
Consett Built-up area
Coundon and Leeholme Built-up area
Coxhoe Built-up area
Crook Built-up area
Durham Built-up area
Easington Built-up area
Easington Village Parish
Ferryhill Built-up area
Lanchester Built-up area
Langley Park Built-up area
Murton Built-up area
Newton Aycliffe Built-up area
Pelton Built-up area
Peterlee Built-up area
Sacriston Built-up area
Seaham Built-up area
Sedgefield Built-up area
Shildon Built-up area
Spennymoor Built-up area
Stanley Built-up area
Ushaw Moor and Bearpark Built-up area
Willington Built-up area
Wingate Built-up area