Durham Cathedral

The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham (usually known as Durham Cathedral) is a cathedral in the city of Durham, England, the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Durham. The Bishopric dates from 995, with the present cathedral being founded in AD 1093. The cathedral is known as one of the finest examples of Norman architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The present cathedral replaces the 10th century "White Church" built as part of a monastic foundation to house the shrine of Saint Cuthbert of Lindisfarne. The treasures of Durham Cathedral include relics of St Cuthbert, the head of St Oswald of Northumbria and the remains of the Venerable Bede.

Durham Cathedral occupies a strategic position on a promontory high above the River Wear. The cathedral is a major tourist attraction, the central tower of 217 feet (66 m) giving views of Durham and the surrounding area.

There are many famous people who are interred (buried) in the Cathedral and in the surrounding grounds including Bishop Alfred Tucker.

Related pages

  • List of World Heritage Sites of the United Kingdom
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Mat Ankers
15 July 2013
Walk from the castle to the cathedral and just after the library on the right hand side there is a cut which takes you along the river to the old bridge. Loop back round up the bailey
Jen F
21 February 2016
Stunning architecture - one of the finest remaining examples of a Norman building. An extremely unique and interesting history - tour guides are very knowledgeable.
Costas Lazarides
30 March 2013
Beautiful with everyone being polite to show you around and explain the history and every corner of the cathedral. It is surrounded by medieval buildings used for uni offices and student accommodation
Sarah Upham
25 August 2014
Beautiful building inside and out. Definitely climb to the top and admire the view but don't forget to check out the Lego cathedral by the cafe!
Filmsquare
5 August 2013
Durham Cathedral's cloisters were used in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) for scenes including the standoff between Gryffindor and Slitherin's Quidditch and between Harry and Lucius.
Elias Gerstmayr
16 January 2016
Great view and must-visit when in Durham. World heritage site. The university orchestra performs there from time to time, impressive! Check out the cloisters from Harry Potter.
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