Durham: The Destination
Durham – The Destination
Durham lies in the heart of Northeast England, one of the country’s most vibrant and rapidly developing regions. Few venues in the world can rival the splendour, prestige and heritage of the City of Durham.
Located on a dramatic peninsula overlooking the River Wear, Durham’s unique Norman Cathedral and Castle not only dominate the skyline, they are also a designated World Heritage Site.
Durham is a small and compact city, and everything is within easy walking distance. Just minutes from the bustling centre, you can enjoy the tranquillity of leafy riverside footpaths along the banks of the River Wear, or the changing seasonal displays at the Botanic Garden. The Oriental Museum holds fascinating collections of international significance, as well as offering key insights into local history. Palace Green Library is currently being transformed into a very special home for the University’s internationally renowned archive and rare book collections
For the more energetic, why not take a boat out on the river, or admire the breath-taking view from the top of the Cathedral tower?
Hidden gems abound across the city and never fail to delight the visitor. Why not pay a visit to medieval Crook Hall, or explore the ruins of Finchale Priory?
Durham’s bustling selection of riverside cafes, bars and restaurants await you at the end of the day and provide the perfect location to relax and get away from it all.
Population: 87,000
Official Language: English
Climate: Mild
Annual average daily maximum temperature July 15 °C
Average daily maximum temperature July 19°C
Safety at Durham
Durham is a small town with a low crime rate. E.g., the Complete University Guide 2015 has rated Durham university among the three institutions with lowest cumulative crime rates in England and Wales. It continues to have the lowest crime rate in 2017 among all NE universities. More advice for travellers to Durham can be found at:
UKCrimeStats.com – Durham Constabulary
The University Health & Safety Service (HSS) is an independent central service which provides professional advice and support to the University on managing the health and safety risks arising from its activities. The HSS is an enabling service, whose aim is to assist the University deliver its strategic objectives in a way which does not put staff, students or visitors at risk of harm to their health or safety.
Durham – A City of Education and Culture
Durham University is a world-class university in two locations: in the city of Durham and at our Queen’s Campus in Stockton. In both locations the University is engaged in:
- high-quality teaching and learning
- advanced research and partnership with business
- regional and community partnerships and initiatives
- services for conferences, events and visitor accommodation.
- 20,268 students made up of undergraduates and postgraduates from home and international (2020/21)
- Over 4,300 staff
- The University is organised into three academic faculties: with 25 departments or schools.
Durham University is distinctive – a Collegiate University with ancient traditions and modern values, seeking to achieve the highest distinction in research and scholarship which make a real difference to societies world-wide. The University is equally committed to excellence in all aspects of learning, education, and the transmission of knowledge.
However, Durham University is much more than that. The World Heritage Site at the heart of the City of Durham has been a leading centre of scholarship for over 1,000 years, while our cosmopolitan Queen’s Campus in Stockton is at the leading edge of Teesside’s transition from an industrial to a knowledge economy.
Durham City Map
Hatfield College is located at number 20 on the below map
John Snow College is located near number 2 on the below map
Durham Castle is located at number 23 on the below map
Mathematical and Computer Science is located at number 15 on the below map
Durham Castle
Durham Castle was handed to the University in 1836 and became University College in 1837, the oldest of the Durham Colleges.
It is part of the Durham World Heritage Site and a Grade 1 listed building. The Castle was previously the residence of the Bishops of Durham and as such played a significant role in the history of the UK.
The present Castle began in 1072 as a simple defensive mound commissioned by William the Conqueror. Over the centuries the Castle has been extended with the Great Hall being added in 1284. The Great Hall is now a popular venue for conference dinners and private dining events.
University College offers 50 en-suite bedrooms plus during summer vacation are able to offer an additional 25 en-suite bedrooms and over 100 standard bedrooms.
University College, The Castle, Palace Green, Durham DH1 3RW.
Hatfield College
History
Founded in 1846, Hatfield College is the second oldest College in Durham University. It is located between the World Heritage site of the Norman Cathedral and the banks of the River Wear, on one of the oldest streets in Durham. Hatfield has a very interesting history, and it continues to grow and change, building on its heritage and traditions to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
John Snow College
John Snow College is one of 17 constituent colleges of the University of Durham in England. The College takes its name from the nineteenth-century Yorkshire physician John Snow. It was founded in 2001 on the University’s Queen’s Campus in Stockton-on-Tees, before moving to Durham in 2018. The College is now located on the Mount Oswald site, which opened in 2020.
John Snow College is located at Mount Oswald, Durham City as one of the Hill Colleges. This puts us just a short walk from many of the academic departments, in particular The Business School, the University library, the new Learning and Teaching Centre; and the Botanic Gardens are also nearby.
John Snow College is the only college in Durham to have the position of ‘College Bugler’. Each year the college bugler processes the new intake of students through the city of Durham and announces their arrival at the Cathedral, ready for Matriculation. The bugler also attends all formal events and announces the high table at the beginning of each formal.
It is tradition for all new members of the college to be matriculated by walking up the main path from the JCR building towards the gates, where they are led by a student dressed as John Snow, then walking under a John Snow banner which formally welcomes them into the college.