England - Sep18 - Durham

Leaving Hadrian's Wall in the middle of England, we headed east to Newcastle upon Tyne, then south to Durham.   Medieval Durham sits in the horseshoe bend of the River Wear and has a Cathedral and 11th century castle.  The castle has been the home of Durham University since 1832.

We checked into our B&B on the outskirts of Durham in the late afternoon, then drove into the old town.

Here is the Durham Cathedral, said to offer the best look at Norman architecture in England.  From Rick Steves:  "The architecture of the nave is particularly harmonious because it was built in a mere 40 years (1093-1133).  The round arches and zigzag-carved decorations are text-book Norman.  The church was also proto-Gothic, built by well-travelled French masons and architects who knew the latest innovations from Europe.  It's stone and ribbed roof, pointed arches, and flying buttresses were revolutionary in England."
   
It's impossible to take a good picture of the English and French cathedrals because they are so big.  Here is another shot of  Durham Cathedral.  Construction of the cathedral began in 1093 and continued for 40 years, with additions until 1490.
   
We attended an evensong service inside the Cathedral.
   
As you can see, the Tower above the Transept is under renovation.
   

Looking north from the Cathedral at the Castle.   The grassy area was known as the Palace Green.

From Wikipedia:  Durham's geographical position has always given it an important place in the defence of England against the Scots.  The city played an important part in the defence of the north, and Durham Castle is the only Norman castle keep never to have suffered a breach.  The Battle of Neville's Cross, which took place near the city on 17 October 1346 between the English and Scots, is the most famous battle of the age.
   
Looking across the Palace Green from the Castle entrance to the Cathedral.
   
The inner courtyard of the castle (now University).   This is England's third oldest university.
   
The other side of the courtyard.
   
It's hard to get a clear shot of the Keep.
   
Leaving the Cathedral/Castle area, we walked north into the center of the medieval town, the Market Place.
   
Checking out the River Wear on one side from the Framwell Gate Bridge.
   
And the other side, from the Elvet Bridge.  Again, medieval Durham sits in the horseshoe bend of the River Wear.  And as we discover, where there is a river in a university town, there are punts (boats).
   
A better shot of the Market Place.
   
Looking down Sadler Street, one of the streets eminating from the Market Place.
   
We took advantage of a big parking garage near the river because as you can see, there is almost no parking in the medieval city.
   
Our B&B, really, a small hotel/restaurant, on the outskirts of Durham.  It had an excellent restaurant which was packed where we had dinner.
   
 
   
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