With a thousand years of history under its belt, dominated by
its magnificent Cathedral, the hilly city of Durham in north-east
England is picturesque and prominent on the list of the United
Kingdom's 'must see' tourist destinations.
Back in 995 AD, legend has it, a group of monks from Lindisfarne
(the Holy Island off the north-east English coast) were wandering
around looking for a place to settle down and entomb the body of
their revered mentor, Saint Cuthbert. They stopped to help a
distressed milkmaid who had lost her cow, and the animal was found,
resting on a pretty peninsula formed by the River Wear. The spot
seemed perfect for their purpose, and they stayed, later starting
work on the building of a Cathedral (1093), which still houses
Saint Cuthbert's remains. As well as becoming one of England's most
influential ecclesiastical centres, the residents of Durham also
set about making their mark politically mainly because of the
town's strategic position close to the Scottish border. The castle
built by William the Conqueror in 1071 saw plenty of military
action over the centuries, and stands proudly opposite the
Cathedral, now home to a college of Durham University.
Many of the sons and daughters of Durham have made their mark in
a variety of fields, from poets and artists to novelists and
musicians. One of the modern celebrities spawned by the city is
Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister.
History has moulded Durham, and its medieval character has been
carefully preserved, making today's city a compact living museum
spiced with a wide range of modern facilities. Most of the city
centre is pedestrianised, life centred on the cobbled Market Place
where street entertainers provide amusement and modern shops and
restaurants trade happily alongside the old Victorian Market. Along
the riverbanks, which border the town on three sides, meandering
paths and river cruisers provide a peaceful alternative to
sightseeing and shopping.
With 630 'listed buildings' (most in the central city
conservation area), Durham is the ideal place to experience 'ye
olde England' with all the mod-cons.
