Durham

Durham sits in the north‑east of County Durham in England, dramatically sited on a meander of the River Wear so that its Norman Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle dominate a steep, peninsular skyline; the cathedral and castle together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site and give the city a very medieval feel. The surrounding landscape drops away into heath and features parts of the Durham Dales, making the city both compact and strikingly scenic.

Historically the city grew around the bishopric and later the coal industry, a heritage still visible in local identity and events such as the Durham Miners' Gala. Today Durham is anchored by Durham University, with education, tourism, public services and an expanding tech and cultural sector driving the economy, while markets, festivals and a large student population keep the social life lively.