Guided Walking Tour of Durham & its Infamous Characters
Description
This tour is not just about Durham, the place, but its people and the stories behind them. From Durham's Narnia connection to its mining heritage, from dragons & saints to a serial killer, this city is full of stories you won't forget. Travellers, students and locals alike are guaranteed to discover something new about Durham while enjoying breathtaking views of the cathedral and historic city centre. The tour is family friendly and offers a fully accessible route. Your guide is an enthusiastic local resident, Durham University graduate, and expert in all things Durham, past and present.
Tour Options
Itinerary
At the heart of Durham's historic old town, your guide will tell the story of Lord Londonderry, whose statue dominates the scenery, and Durham's mining heritage.
Situated on the winding River Wear, above the former dungeons of Durham, Elvet Bridge sets the scene for the story of Jimmy Allen, the People's Piper, who had a nightclub named after him.
Home to the stunning Hotel Indigo and Prison Green, where convicts were executed in Durham, the historic street of Old Elvet is where travellers will hear about Britain's first (and most notorious) female serial killer.
Part of the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, Durham's impressive Norman castle is now home to students, but also allegedly to two mysterious ghosts...
Durham's UNESCO World Heritage Site landmark is located opposite the castle. The Cathedral IS Durham's skyline and your guide will tell you about one peculiar saint, who is buried there, and had a college named after him.
With a view once painted by none other than William Turner himself, Prebends Bridge leads the travellers to an inconspicuous object, which might have inspired a certain C.S. Lewis one cold winter...
Along the banks of the River Wear, a famous local legend was spun, involving a knight, a dragon, a witch and a curse. Here travellers can enjoy one of the postcard views of Durham Cathedral and the Old Corn Mill by the Riverside.
Leading up to Silver Street, your guide will tell the story of Durham's own Dick Whittington and his shiny fortune. Just mind the seagulls!
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(264)
Excellent value for money, learnt so much about Durham.
The walking tour was fantastic, our guide knew his stuff and he made sure to include everyone on the walk
Brilliant tour, excellent story telling way of getting to know Durham. Captivating & interesting. Tom is very knowledgeable
Great guide. Knowledgeable about Durham. hilly, so be prepared to walk. Guide was humorous and interesting.
Tom was a fantastic guide. He was engaging, funny and extremely knowledgeable. He always had answers to our questions and encouraging our participation in the tour.
Tom is such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. Enjoyed hearing about the history and folklore of Durham, as first time visitors. Enjoyed crossing the Ove Arup bridge, taking a different route and perspective we would never have discovered on our short trip. We were puzzled as to why our fellow Scots kept trying to take the Castle and Durham over the centuries until unification....definitely would have been in my 'too hard' box! Highly recommend this tour and worth way more than £11 per person 😊
Really enjoyed the walk around Durham on what was a lovely sunny day. Our guide was a really friendly person who was very knowledgeable and had a good store of interesting (from a historical and character point of view) and at times amusing stories. A great way to spend 90 mins in Durham
Excellent tour. Tom was brilliant. Held our interest by being informative, amusing, and entertaining. Using his impressive knowledge of Durham city history linked to infamous characters.
Tom was a great guide. We went to quite a few different places in Durham. Very entertaining as well as knowledgeable.
Tom was an excellent guide and storyteller. He was really knowledgeable, and had a great way of bringing Durham’s characters to life, as well as explaining key points about the cathedral and castle. I would highly recommend Tom as a guide.
