Durham Cathedral of the Church of England is one of the most important churches in the United Kingdom, with over 750,000 visitors a year.

The cathedral attracts attention for its size, the highly valuable altars in the interior and the breathtaking views from the tallest of the 3 towers.

Along with Durham Castle, which stands directly opposite, the cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The 10 best hotels in Durham

The cathedral has been the location for many of the Harry Potter films.

A gem of Romanesque architecture

Durham Cathedral is one of the most striking examples of Norman Romanesque architecture and is built entirely of stone.

The building as it stands today was built between 1093 and 1133.

Cathedral

The building is an impressive 143 metres long and has three towers.

The two bell towers on the façade measure 44 metres and the central tower with a viewing platform is 66 metres high.

Cathedral

A visit to the interior

The cathedral is monumental from the outside, but an even more breathtaking experience awaits you inside.

Slender Gothic-Romanesque windows with beautiful stained glass windows are complemented by massive stone columns of typical Norman architecture.

The cathedral's side aisle ceilings are among the oldest surviving in Britain, with ribbed vaulting.

Cathedral

Spectacular views from the tower

Don't miss a visit to the roof of the 66-metre-high central tower, which offers spectacular views across Durham and its pretty rolling countryside of meadows and woodlands.

There are 325 steps up to the tower and no lift.

Due to the very narrow staircase, you can only go up at 60 minute intervals, always at xx:00 and capacity can sometimes be taken. We recommend booking entry online.