HOTELS IN Durham

Shopping in Durham

Durham has something for everyone, whether it’s sweet treats, locally produced food or original crafts in the wide selection of shops and markets. For those more inclined to shop in well-known high street brands, you will also be served well in the city centre.

• Prince Bishops Shopping Centre: Conveniently located in Durham city centre, Princes Bishops proves the best place to get your fashion fix. With plenty of clothes, homeware, beauty and health brands on sale, you’re sure to find everything you’re looking for - and maybe a few things that you weren’t.

• Dalton Park Outlet: Just a 20-minute drive outside of the city centre will take you to Dalton Park. The outlet boasts plenty of popular high street brands, such as The Body Shop, Klass and New Balance. Once you’ve worked up an appetite from some serious shopping you’ll be able to enjoy a bite to eat in one of your favourite food spots.

• Durham City Indoor Market Hall: This indoor market is most definitely worth a wander around, as you can browse through the variety of crafts shops, bakeries, butchers, seafood stalls, candlestick shops and cafés.

Eating and drinking in Durham

Durham’s great outdoors offers plenty of hearty pub lunches and cosy cafes to fuel your days of exploring. Restaurants in the area are particularly famed for their use of seasonal, local produce, so whatever is on the menu, rest assured it will be fresh and tasty.

• Vennel’s Cafe: For homemade food served with a smile, you can’t beat Vennel’s.  Nestled on the historic bailey, turn off the cobbled streets and treat yourself to a thick slice of cake.  The menu doesn’t stop there - you’ll find everything from hot chocolates to greek salads.

• Gilroy's Restaurant: This fine dining favourite is one of the most celebrated restaurants in the Durham area. It boasts a range of menus using only fabulous quality local ingredients to be enjoyed at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Anyone with a sweet tooth will be in the right place as the restaurant puts on a delectable afternoon tea and a Dessert club, that is famous across the whole county!

• Lickety Split Creamery: This 1950’s-style spot is known as the most premium ice cream parlour in the North West, serving up all kinds of sweet goodness. Think waffles, milkshakes, ice cream sundaes and a whole lot of whipped cream.

Things to do in Durham

• Durham University Botanic Gardens: These beautiful gardens are split into several sections named Alpine Garden, Bamboo Grove and the Woodland Garden. You can also wander around the magnificent desert and tropical rainforest glass houses. These glass houses host a collection of cacti, plants, bugs, scorpions, tarantulas and seasonal flower displays.

• Durham Cathedral: This magnificent cathedral is known as one of Europe’s greatest medieval buildings - standing for almost a millennium. Entry is free, but a small donation is appreciated to help maintain this breathtaking spot.

• Finchale Priory: On the picturesque banks of the River Wear you’ll find Finchale Priory, founded in 1196.  The priory was an outpost for Durham Cathedral and functioned as a holiday retreat for the monks.  It’s the perfect place for a reflective stroll and a picnic.