Camping in Durham

Durham itself has no campsites within its historic centre, but a small cluster of touring parks and campsites sit within a few miles of the city, close enough for an evening walk into town or a short drive to the cathedral without giving up the quiet of the surrounding countryside. Most sit along or near the River Wear as it winds out through wooded valleys and farmland north and south of the city, giving campers riverside walks and views that the city centre itself cannot offer.

These sites tend to suit couples and families touring the wider North East, using Durham as one stop among visits to the coast, the Durham Dales or Newcastle, rather than as a dedicated city-break base. Facilities range from simple, adults-only touring pitches to larger family-oriented parks with play areas and on-site shops, and most welcome dogs, making them a practical option for anyone travelling with a pet who would rather not manage a hotel stay. Electric hook-ups and hardstanding pitches are widely available, though it is worth checking ahead in peak summer weeks and around the Lumiere festival, when demand across County Durham's campsites rises along with the city's hotels.

A car is genuinely useful if camping near Durham, since none of the nearby sites are within comfortable walking distance of the cathedral, and local bus services from the villages they sit in can be infrequent. Allow ten to twenty minutes' drive into the city centre from any of the sites below, plus time to find one of the Park and Ride car parks or a space on the outskirts, since parking directly in the centre is limited.