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Durham is a city beautifully situated on the River Wear, and just where it makes a bend, the historic town center is on a small peninsula. The town was founded in 995 by Anglo-Saxon monks looking for a place where they could avoid Viking raids and thereby protect the relics of Cuthbert of Lindisfarne.
The monks’ first church was replaced by Durham Cathedral in the 11th century, and in the same century the Normans established Durham Castle. From the 1070s to 1836, the city was ruled by bishops from Durham Castle, and the area functioned as a kind of buffer between England and Scotland. Durham later became a major coal mining area, but the mines are no longer active. Instead, the city attracts many tourists to Durham’s major attractions.
In Durham you can experience the cozy city center that is between the courses of the Wear with Durham Market Place as its center. On the square you can see the city’s town hall, which was built in 1665 and later expanded. In the Town Hall, the stunning Great Hall meeting room is the building’s most impression interior. At the northern end of the square is St Nicholas Church, which in its current version was completed in 1858.
However, the city’s biggest sights are Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle, which have been included in UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites. Durham Cathedral is a majestic cathedral that replaced the early church of the first monks. The church was largely built between 1093 and 1133 in the Romanesque style. In the 13th century, an extension took place in Gothic style, and in the 15th century, the central tower was built.
The cathedral is a colossal edifice that stands impressively in Durham’s profile. You can enjoy the construction from several angles, including from Palace Green and from the area along the River Wear. You can of course also enjoy the interior of the church and explore its Romanesque architecture with ornate columns and a typical vaulted ceiling. Next to the church you can see the complex’s beautifully preserved monastery courtyard.
Durham Castle is located to the north of the great cathedral, and the castle was for centuries the residence of the bishops. Since 1837, the old Norman castle has been the seat of University College. Construction was started by William the Conqueror in 1072, and local stones were used for the construction. The residence castle rises above the city together with the cathedral, and there is access to see the old building on tours.
Sunderland is a regional metropolis, at the mouth of the River Wear facing the area’s beautiful North Sea coastline. Historically, there were three settlements on the river estuary, which later formed today’s Sunderland. It was Monkwearmouth from 674 on the north bank and Jarrow from 684 and Bishopwearmouth from 930, both on the south bank of the river.
Fishing provided prosperity for urban development, as did the port facilities along the river. Sunderland obtained city rights in 1179, and trade in coal and salt arose with ships built locally on the river. The 19th century growth from the port and industrialization caused the three original towns to be formally merged.
Newcastle is a city in northern England, and it an interesting mix of new and old. The remains of the old castle that gave the city its name and the preserved parts of the medieval city wall are the most striking examples from history. Modern museums, well-stocked shopping malls and innovative architecture are also part of Newcastle.
Along the Tyne River there are several majestic bridges, and along the landscaped river promenade you can see some of these masterpieces from the industrial age, that added to Newcastle and northern England fame. In the same area, you can see some of England’s most spectacular buildings from recent decades.
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