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All the United Kingdom England Durham

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Durham

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

Updated September 3, 2026
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
See All 19 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.
In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Durham, England

History & Culture 6
Sculptures 4
Universities 4
Museums 3
Design 3
Bridges 2
Architecture 2
History 2
Statues 2
Ruins 1
Libraries 1
Rare Books 1
Games 1
Collections 1
Churches 1
Observatories 1
Unesco 1
Art 1
Military History 1
Saints 1

Durham Leaderboard

Places Added

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

Places Edited

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    14
  2. SEANETTA profile photo
    SEANETTA
    11
  3. rbenn250 profile photo
    rbenn250
    8
  4. katielou106 profile photo
    katielou106
    6
  5. Dr Alan P Newman profile photo
    Dr Alan P Newman
    2

Places Visited

  1. B benjaminclarkhome profile photo
    benjaminclarkhome
    18
  2. W willt profile photo
    willt
    17
  3. jooniur profile photo
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    16
  4. N nutsthedog666 profile photo
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    15
  5. linkogecko profile photo
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    15

Recent Durham Activity

  • C carolinelthurlow profile photo

    carolinelthurlow

    has been to Kingsgate Footbridge

  • C carolinelthurlow profile photo

    carolinelthurlow

    has been to Elvet Bridge

  • C carolinelthurlow profile photo

    carolinelthurlow

    has been to Stone Gargoyle Chair

  • S sarahbwood97 profile photo

    sarahbwood97

    wants to go to Palace Green Library

  • Z zoecunniffe profile photo

    zoecunniffe

    wants to go to Finchale Priory

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, Atlas Obscura
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, Atlas Obscura
December 10, 2018
Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
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