Guided Walking Tour of Durham & its Infamous Characters
Recommended by 100% of travelers
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Middlesbrough, England
- 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Get to know Durham inside and out with the help of a passionate guide who knows about this beautiful city’s history. Walk the cobbled streets with a tour leader who really knows their stuff, from dragons and saints to a serial killer. You’ll also hear all about the city’s literary and mining past, all while you take in views of the cathedral and city center.
- See the sights of this historic city with an enthusiastic tour guide
- Family-friendly and wheelchair accessible
- Tour leader is a Durham University graduate
- Great for tourists, new arrivals and long-time locals
What's Included
- Expert in Local History & Folklore
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Gala Theatre & Cinema1 Millennium Place, Durham DH1 1WA, UK
Coming from Market Place, cross the bridge towards the Gala Theatre, then turn left onto Millennium Place and you will see your guide, usually equipped with an umbrella , and always with a backpack, standing by the statue of pilgrims carrying St Cuthbert's coffin, in front of Clayport Library.
End points
This activity ends in a different location. See details below:
Itinerary
1
Durham Market Place
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Elvet Bridge
7 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Old Elvet
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Durham Castle
7 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
5
Durham Cathedral
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
6
Prebends Bridge
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
River Wear
7 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
8
Framwellgate Bridge
7 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 259 reviews
Emma_D, May 2026
Tom is such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. Enjoyed hearing about the history and folklore of Durham, as first time visitors. Enjoyed crossing the Ove Arup bridge, taking a different route and perspective we would never have discovered on our short trip. We were puzzled as to why our fellow Scots kept trying to take the
Castle and Durham over the centuries until unification....definitely would have been in my 'too hard' box! Highly recommend this tour and worth way more than £11 per person 😊
Pam_G, Apr 2026
Tom was a great guide. We went to quite a few different places in Durham. Very entertaining as well as knowledgeable.
Patrick_H, Nov 2025
An excellent and interesting tour, Tom is a very knowledgeable
and entertaining guide. We thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone visiting Durham.
Sarah_W, Nov 2025
This was a really entertaining roughly circular walk, which lasted a little over 1.5hrs. The walk is broadly flat (taking into account Durham's hills!) and covers the key parts of the "peninsula" including Palace Green. As promised, it takes in some of the key characters in Durham's history. It was great that it also included a bit of the beautiful riverside walk.
Tom was an enthusiastic and amusing guide with good local knowledge. He was particularly interesting and passionate about the extraordinary feat of construction of the Cathedral. Many quirky local facts were also covered. The talk was inclusive for all levels of historical knowledge.
As a former student, I learned more about Durham than I had gleaned in 3 years! The walk inspired our subsequent visit to the Mining Gallery in Bishop Auckland the following day.
Tom_H, Oct 2025
The guide Tom was fun, knowledgeable and engaging. A fun tour of Durham, learning about this ancient city.
DanielFrancisco_P, Oct 2025
I came all the way from London just to hear the story about the man on the horse, and it was absolutely worth it! The tour went beyond my expectations, full of fascinating stories, and delivered with passion. Every stop brought history to life in such a way that kept me captivated. I’ll definitely be recommending this to friends visiting Durham. I will never see this city the same way again! And by the way, I got the magnet! Thanks a lot… also, chips, gravy, and cheese didn’t look very appetizing at first, but I loved every bite. I’ll definitely be recommending this tour to my friends.
Steve_T, Oct 2025
Excellent guided tour. Tom was very knowledgeable and it was an informative tour. He really brought the city to life with his humour and dramatic approach to storytelling. The 90mins flew by. Would highly recommend. The tour is too cheap in our opinion for what you get and so we gave more in a tip!
Allison_D, Oct 2025
This tour was so good .Tom was extremely knowledgeable and made everything so interesting and fun .You can see he has a real passion about history .
It's definitely one to book if you're in Durham .One of the best tours I've ever had .
Kaye_B, Sept 2025
Incredible tour guide, passionate, animated and engaging throughout.,
The tour was both full of details and humour.
Although he hadn't packed a brolly (so we would know who he was), and had forgotten his reward stickers, all is forgiven as we had such a great time !!
I would recommend 100% and would definitely book again as apparently he has another 3 hours of interesting information.
For reference he looks like Kieth Lemon so you'll know who he is, and please give him our love - he was brilliantly entertaining!
Kaz_Z, Sept 2025
Our guide Tom was brilliant, giving us lots of information and love the way he tells the stories of the infamous characters of durham. He also draws the group together to join in with some Q&A as we meander through different parts of the city.
The walk is a definite must do if visiting Durham
Karyl_S, Sept 2025
This was informative and entertaining! We are so glad we booked it!! A great introduction to the amazing city.
Tina_S, Sept 2025
Thomas was excellent and truly loves doing this walk. Due to his enthusiasm we even bought a book by Bede. So thank you
Christopher_O, Aug 2025
The guide meet everyone on time and has extensive knowledgeon the city. Started with statues about the reason why Durham was founded. I found the history of the city interesting. I walk is a good idea if you want to find your way around. We were taken on a very scenic route down the path from the cathedral. The nature and the river is impressive. Great place for a photo. I would recommend this tour.
Simon_F, Aug 2025
Tom is an excellent and entertaining guide. Would highly recommend this activity. Very knowledgeable and informative. Easy to talk to and helpful.
Anne_T, Aug 2025
A tour with a difference hearing about the infamous characters of the Durham of old. Tom is a very engaging narrator and holds your attention throughout. One of the best tours we have done.
David_J, Jul 2025
Be prepared to be amused by Tom. Full of information but he made it interesting and funny. You don't want to miss a word!
Durham is very hilly so be prepared for a few slopes, cobbles and steps during the walk.
I rate Tom and this walking g tour as first class!
Carol_M, Jul 2025
Tom was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Super guide! Quite a big group but managed to get everything over to all present
Kate_H, Jul 2025
A very entertaining walking tour! The stories of Durham were brought to life by Tom’s enthusiasm. He has clearly done a lot of research into Durham’s past and was very knowledgeable on the subject. The tour was interactive and not rushed. Tom took time to explain information/stories as well as allowing for time to take in the sights and enjoy the views.
ShannonY, Jul 2025
We had the pleasure of joining Tom for a walking tour of Durham. Tim is an incredibly engaging and theatrical guide — his love for the city and its history shines through in every story he tells.
We explored the charming streets, crossed historic bridges, climbed up to the cathedral/castle, and strolled along the river — all brought vividly to life. It’s clear that Tom is deeply passionate about what he does and loves sharing Durham’s rich history with others. I highly recommend his tour to anyone visiting the city.
Paul_W, Jul 2025
Highly Recommended tour full of really interesting facts we never knew about Durham, delivered interactively with enthusiasm ensuring we got the very most out of the trip.
Scott_P, Jun 2025
Very informative in an entertaining way. All the major landmarks covered plus some that would be unnoticed.
Elizabeth_T, Jun 2025
Really entertaining, funny and knowledgeable, took us around the main sights with a handful of memorable stories
Carol_L, Jun 2025
it is a bit hilly and can be uneven footing.
toilets on route!
very informative and good meeting place
Anna_P, Apr 2025
We had a great time! Tom was knowledgeable, and we got a good tour of much of the city. It was good to hear some stories and history and we got beautiful views along the way.
Sue_P, Mar 2025
Very entertaining insights and tales, not only about the people but the architecture and other fascinating info too. Highly original and I well recommend!
david_m, Mar 2025
Very knowledgeable, giving very interesting historical information and good company on our guided walk around the city.
Tonya_S, Feb 2025
Tom was knowledgeable and phrased things in a way that was highly engaging. I couldn’t wait to learn more!
Heather_R, Feb 2025
Excellent guide, tour was packed with historical information, interesting facts and lovely views of Durham
Neil_J, Feb 2025
Tom gave us a great and detailed description of all the intricate tales that make Durham such a great place to visit. Really enjoyed it form start to finish, so enlightening.
Carol_C, Feb 2025
Tom was amazing his knowledge was brilliant. Great informative tour. He showed us historical things that we would never have known about
From $15.09
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Guided Walking Tour of Durham & its Infamous Characters
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