County Durham is one of England’s smallest counties, home to the north Pennines, which has many drystone walls (rebuilt over centuries to protect cattle and sheep).
Here you’ll find wild windswept countryside for walking. And a stunning coastline. It’s rather chilly in these parts, so be sure to pack an extra jumper!
Always follow the Countryside Code, to keep all creatures safe.
Read our post on keeping dogs safe by the seaside. Lifeboat crew ask for people to keep dogs away from cliffs (they often have to rescue pooches).
Many beaches are not dog-friendly year-round so check (some disappear at high tide).
Learn how to right an overturned sheep or it will die (hold upright until rain has drained off).
The Durham Dales, covering much of the west of the county, are as peaceful as they are striking. Walkers and cyclists love the winding paths through Weardale and Teesdale.
You’ll find moorland, waterfalls, and wildflower meadows all around. In spring and summer, the landscape bursts with colour. In autumn, the hills turn golden and bronze. Don’t miss High Force, England’s largest waterfall, for a dramatic reminder of nature’s power.
Just like Rome, the north east city of Durham is built on seven hills. This rich historical city includes a Victorian park and historic woodlands, and the World Heritage sites of Durham cathedral and castle, all of which you’ll see on walks around the city.
A Beautiful Romanesque Cathedral
Durham Cathedral is one of England’s best, with a stone vaulted ceiling, and one of the best examples of Romanesque architecture.
The shrine at the cathedral is popular for pilgrims, learning the history of local St Cuthbert, who lived on Lindisfarne and the Farne Islands, but is buried here.
He used to guard sheep and passed laws to protect eider ducks, regarded as ‘the world’s first environmentalist’. It’s said that after he went swimming, otters would dry his feet, with their fur!
It’s said that he became a monk after witnessing angels carrying St Aiden (the monastery’s abbot) to Heaven.
River Tees and High Force Waterfall
County Durham is also home to England’s highest waterfalls (High Force, which rests on the River Tees, with a drop of 70 feet). All of England’s main waterfalls are in northern England, formed by the force of water eroding rocks.
Keep a distance and wear sturdy shoes with good grip, as moss-covered wet rocks can be slippery. Never swim in pools below (due to water force and hidden rocks).
The Third Oldest University in England
Founded in 1832, Durham University is one of the oldest in England. Durham University is also on a par academically with Oxford and Cambridge, so the city has a high student population.
Strong Local Identity and Warm Welcome
What strikes most visitors is the warm, grounded feel of County Durham. Locals keep alive unique traditions, from dialect songs to centuries-old fairs. Towns feel lived-in, not just for show, and it’s easy to get talking in a pub, market, or corner shop.
Durham: The Birthplace of English Mustard
The city of Durham is where this popular condiment was born. When Mrs Clements decided to grind up mustard seeds like flour, at a mill on Sadler Street. Back in 1720.
In the early 18th century, Durham became the site of the first mustard mill in England. Before this, mustard was sold in rough, whole seeds, which people ground at home. The new mill ground the seeds to a fine powder, which made using mustard faster and easier.
