Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The grand Masonic Hotel.
Napier Art Deco Historic Precinct
Military Cemetery for North Korean Soldiers
Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts
Caesars Palace Spiral Escalators
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è Pasta... E Pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Our producer Manolo Morales would spend his final days perusing the shelves at Book Off.
Where Would You Go to Wait for the Apocalypse?
about 17 hours ago
This event showcasing the bounty of the Traverse City region’s amazing agriculture, craft, and creativity culminates with a Grand Tasting on August 23.
The Atlas Obscura Guide to Traverse City’s Event Season
1 day ago
She’ll get you and your little dog too.
Dear Atlas: Where Can I Explore Witch History Without the Kitsch?
1 day ago
How to Turn Your Road Trip Into a Nature Scavenger Hunt
1 day ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom England Durham Stone Gargoyle Chair
AO Edited

Stone Gargoyle Chair

An unusual stone chair can be found on the banks of the River Wear, not far from Durham Cathedral.

Durham, England

Added By
SEANETTA ALLSASS
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Stone Gargoyle Chair   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Stone Gargoyle Chair   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Stone Gargoyle Chair   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Stone Gargoyle Chair   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Stone Gargoyle Chair   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Stone Gargoyle Chair   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Stone Gargoyle Chair   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Stone Gargoyle Chair   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
View from bridge.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Boat School in background.   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  Juliejoolz / Atlas Obscura User
  Juliejoolz / Atlas Obscura User
A view from the chair   Juliejoolz / Atlas Obscura User
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
One of many stone heads!   Juliejoolz / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

In the northern city of Durham, the River Wear snakes around to carve out a U-shaped peninsula. This was an ideal natural defense for both the city's medieval Norman castle and cathedral. Today, one can stroll along the banks of the river in a three-mile circular walk, taking a little over a mile. Nestled between the St. Leonard's School Boat Club to the north, and the 18th-century stone Prebends Bridge to the south is a rather odd-looking structure with no information provided as to its purpose or meaning.

Google Maps lists this monument as "Stone Gargoyle Chair" but it goes by many other names. Many locals refer to it as "The Storyteller's Chair," as it is used as a place for teachers to sit when giving lectures to children on a variety of subjects in and around the river. It is also referred to as "The Peace Seat" or "Order and Chaos." But Colin Wilbourn, the artist who made the piece, called it "Kathedra."

Wilbourn is an English-based multidisciplinary artist who focuses on sculptures. He says the piece is meant to represent the idea of sanctuary. The work makes reference to the Bishop's throne of judgment or cathedra, which is normally located where there is a Cathedral of a Diocese. "Kathedra" is one of two sculptures Wilbourn made during his time as artist-in-residence at Durham Cathedral in the late 1980s. His other piece, which was entitled "The UpperRoom," was unfortunately dismantled after it fell into a dilapidated state.

Related Tags

Design History & Culture Sculptures Art

Know Before You Go

The statue is near Prebends Bridge. From South Bailey, exit to the left and follow the slope to the Count's House. Turn right at the river and cross under the bridge. The chair is adjacent to the footpath. 

Community Contributors

Added By

SEANETTA

Edited By

jooniur, rbenn250, Juliejoolz

  • jooniur
  • rbenn250
  • Juliejoolz

Published

March 7, 2022

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.colinwilbourn.co.uk/me/
Stone Gargoyle Chair
16A S Bailey
Durham, England, DH1 3EE
United Kingdom
54.771729, -1.578979
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Count's House

Durham, England

miles away

Sanctuary Knocker

Durham, England

miles away

South Bailey Sewer Lamp

Durham, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Durham

Durham

England

Places 13
Stories 2

Nearby Places

The Count's House

Durham, England

miles away

Sanctuary Knocker

Durham, England

miles away

South Bailey Sewer Lamp

Durham, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Durham

Durham

England

Places 13
Stories 2

Related Places

  • ‘The Gorbals Boys’

    Glasgow, Scotland

    'The Gorbals Boys'

    A sculpture that commemorates an iconic photo of urban Scotland's past.

  • The Alauna Aura at night

    Maryport, England

    'Alauna Aura'

    This sculpture depicting the history of Maryport turns into a light show at night.

  • The Trongate Cherub

    Glasgow, Scotland

    The Trongate Cherub

    An angelic, yet demonic-looking figurine presides over one of Glasgow's most ancient streets.

  • Waiting for Poe

    Westford, Massachusetts

    'Waiting for Poe'

    This sculpture memorializes the town's connection to the famous horror author Edgar Allan Poe.

  • ‘Minor Triumph’

    Seoul, South Korea

    ‘Minor Triumph’

    Children’s timeless joy is remembered in the fast-developing Myeongdong district of Seoul.

  • Edificio Sol

    El Grao de Castellón, Spain

    Edificio Sol

    Believed to be the largest Spanish sculpture affixed to a housing block.

  • Dama Ibérica

    Valencia, Spain

    Dama Ibérica

    This sculpture in Valencia features 22,000 tiny, obsidian blue figures that pay homage to the Lady of Elche.

  • Biggest Jar in the World

    Guellala, Tunisia

    Biggest Jar in the World

    This jar honors the role that pottery has played in this Tunisian village over the past millennia.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.