Spectacular Events

For such a small city Durham is packed full with history, cultural artefacts and hidden gems in the form of spectacular events throughout the year. It’s not just in the city itself that you’ll find plenty to see and do, but also throughout the surrounding areas in a region that is rich in tradition.

In Durham itself the town has been built with beauty in mind and it is easy to get lost for a few hours at a time as you walk along the River Wear or take in the river itself on a rowing boat. The cobbled streets wind magnificently through the city towards the stunning cathedral and castle. These are a must visit city attraction as soon as you can after moving to our Durham student accommodation, and they are both part of a UNESCO World Heritage location that sits on the bend of the river and overlooks the town as a whole.

It is certainly a viewpoint worth savouring. The cathedral absolutely dominates the skyline and is a stunning piece of architecture. The building itself has been well preserved and is home to some exquisite collections as part of the Open Treasures Exhibition. The castle sits adjacent to the cathedral and construction began in 1072 as a direct order from William the Conqueror. There are guided tours you can take that provide you with an insight into its long and fabled history.

student events in durham

Durham Botanical Gardens

Another stunning place to explore is Durham Botanical Gardens. Here, you can get lost in its beautiful 10 hectares of landscaped gardens, luscious plant life from around the world, as well as take part in some amazing activities and events that are hosted by the gardens each year.

Kynren Outdoor Show

In terms of events in Durham and the surrounding areas you are truly spoilt for choice as a student living in the city. One of the most popular is ‘Kynren’, a spectacular outdoor live action show where an epic tale of England over 2,000 years is shown in an outdoor theatre spectacular at Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland. From Boudicca against the Romans, to King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake, you are in for a real treat.

Durham Christmas Festival is a great day out just before the Winter break, with over 150 stalls selling crafts, art, gifts, and food, in a lovely winter scene. Durham Book Festival in October each year brings in household names from the literary world for interviews, workshops and discussions, whilst Lumiere Durham is an ambitious light festival that uses some of the stunning architecture the city has to offer as part of its show over a week in November.

Durham Brass Festival

For music and a good time outdoors, the Durham Brass Festival is a fun with jazz, funk, ska, and traditional bands playing brass throughout the city. If you are interested in food festivals the Bishop Auckland Food Festival is always a gourmet paradise for food lovers, offering food from all over the globe as well as some of the finest producers in the North East. You’ll never be short of activities, cultural events, and things to see and do whilst living as a student in Durham, and at our comfortable Durham student accommodation, you’ve got the perfect base to explore from.

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