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All the United Kingdom England Durham

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Durham

16 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Durham, England

Updated June 11, 2025

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Unusual Attractions in Durham

The Durham Obelisk.

Durham, England

Durham Obelisk

An abandoned tower once used to study the cosmos hides within a thicket of greenery.
Cafe on the Green

Durham, England

Café on the Green

Take afternoon tea in a 17th-century almshouse.
Some of the buildings which form the Palace Green Library

Durham, England

Palace Green Library

This library dates back to the late 17th century and was one of the first public lending libraries in England.
The Lanchester Diploma.

Durham, England

The Lanchester Diploma

The 2,000-year-old pieces of metal are an ancient soldier's military discharge papers.
Looking through the remains of the Priory church

Durham, England

Finchale Priory

The former "holiday home" for monks at the Durham Cathedral.
Details of the lamp.

Durham, England

South Bailey Sewer Lamp

These lamps were created to expel sewer gases after an event known as The Great Stink.
Stone Gargoyle Chair

Durham, England

Stone Gargoyle Chair

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

Durham, England

Sanctuary Knocker

Hundreds of years ago, this lion-shaped door knocker could help a person accused of a crime find temporary safe haven in Durham Cathedral.
See All 16 Things To Do in Durham

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Durham

Cafe on the Green

Durham, England

Café on the Green

Take afternoon tea in a 17th-century almshouse.
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Durham, England

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16
History & Culture 6
Sculptures 3
Museums 3
Design 3
Universities 3
History 2
Statues 2

Durham Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. katielou106
    7
  2. SEANETTA
    3
  3. Dr Alan P Newman
    2
  4. rjmoss
    1
  5. linkogecko
    1

Places Edited

  1. jooniur
    11
  2. SEANETTA
    9
  3. rbenn250
    8
  4. katielou106
    6
  5. Gavin
    2

Places Visited

  1. willt
    14
  2. katielou106
    13
  3. linkogecko
    13
  4. amydresser101
    12
  5. grahamstewartwalker
    12
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Visit a place in Durham.

Recent Durham Activity

  • Clur

    wants to go to Elvet Bridge

    4 days ago
  • Clur

    wants to go to 'Seek Knowledge Even as Far as China'

    4 days ago
  • richardcj5000

    has been to Sanctuary Knocker

    2 days ago
  • agmaharg

    wants to go to ‘Cry for Justice – The Scream’

    1 day ago
  • mrdiamond1999

    wants to go to ‘Cry for Justice – The Scream’

    1 day ago

Stories About Durham

The telltale “court hand” that indicates the official nature of the document.

Found: A Lost Charter Issued by King John More Than 800 Years Ago

Is there nothing that libraries can't do?
by Matthew Taub
March 27, 2019
A pile of winsome soul cakes.

The British Bake Off That's Resurrecting a Forgotten Medieval Cake

Competitors are baking soul cakes, a bygone Halloween treat.
by Abbey Perreault
December 10, 2018

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