Durham Loop

This walk takes in the main visitor attractions in Durham, starting from the Howlands Park and Ride, visiting the Oriental Museum, Botanical Gardens, Castle, Cathedral and Market Place. There are some steep hills, but a bus can be caught from Elvet back to the Park and Ride.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.82 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 210 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 190 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 295 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 125 ft

Description of the walk

(S/E) Howlands Park and Ride - Leave the Park and Ride on foot and head towards Durham. Turn left at the first junction signposted Oriental Museum.

(1) From the Oriental Museum walk carry on the Elvet Hill Road past Trevelyan College bearing right at the junction. There is a good view of the Cathedral here in winter but obscured by the trees in Summer. Continue past St Mary's College.

(2) At the roundabout turn left on Quarry Heads Lane and then cross the road. Go through the white gates. Walk down the road until you reach Prebands Bridge.

(3) Cross the bridge and walk up the steep hill and through the Water Gate, you are now in South Bailey.
Continue along the road, you will pass an archway on your left which will take you to The College, the rear entrance to the Cathedral. Alternatively continue walking along the Bailey until you reach the Cathedral (left) and the Heritage Centre (right).

(4) Turn left into Dun Cow Lane. You will now be on Palace Green, you can enter the Cathedral via the front door,
When you have finished visiting Palace Green, walk down Owengate and then turn left into Saddler Street. Continue down Saddler Street to the Market Place.

(5) From the Market Place, walk down Silver Street towards the river. At the bottom of Silver Street you will see a flight of steps to your left between the shops (before the bridge).

(6) Walk down the steps and follow the footpath around the river bank. You will pass Prebends Bridge again but this time underneath it. Then, carry on along the water and you will pass underneath Kingsgate Bridge (footbridge) and Elvet Bridge.

(7) When you reach the Boat House take the steps up to Elvet Bridge. Cross the bridge and turn right and walk up New Elvet, bearing right at Dunelm House on Church Street. Continue to walk along the road on South Road until you reach the car park. Howlands Park and Ride (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 276 ft - Howlands Park and Ride
  2. 1 : mi 0.27 - alt. 292 ft - Road Junction, Pedestrian Crossing.
  3. 2 : mi 0.69 - alt. 210 ft - Quarryheads Lane Roundabout
  4. 3 : mi 0.84 - alt. 217 ft - Prebends Bridge
  5. 4 : mi 1.22 - alt. 217 ft - Heritage Centre/Durham Cathedral
  6. 5 : mi 1.53 - alt. 180 ft - Durham Market Place
  7. 6 : mi 1.63 - alt. 144 ft - Milburngate Bridge
  8. 7 : mi 2.58 - alt. 135 ft - Boat House.
  9. S/E : mi 3.82 - alt. 272 ft - Howlands Park and Ride

Notes

  1. Toilets and cafe are open at both the Oriental Museum, Botanical Gardens and Cathedral. (2) (4)
  2. Public toilets are available on the Palace Green and Market Place. (4)
  3. Places to eat are located on Saddler Street, Milennium Place (just off the Market Place) and Elvet Bridge. (5) (7)
  4. There is a branch of Tesco's in the market place. (4)

This walk can be started in the Market Place and should take between around 1-2 hours but this could be a full day in Durham if you stop to take in the attractions.
The end back to the car park is a long walk up hill, you can catch the bus back to the park and ride from New Elvet if you wish.

Worth a visit

  1. You can visit the Oriental Museum and or Botanical Gardens either now or on the return journey. Note the Oriental Museum is opens 12-5 on weekends, so visit this on the return journey. (2)
  2. There are several attractions on the Palace Green. In addition to the Cathedral, you can visit the exhibitions on the Palace Green Library, take a tour of the castle, tickets available from the World Heritage Visitor Centre on Owengate, the road that leads to Palace Green. (4)
  3. The indoor market is well worth a visit. (5)
  4. Hire a rowing boat at the boat house, or just have a coffee and enjoy the view. (7)

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