Hotels in Durham

Durham is small enough that almost any base within the city puts you within a short walk or bus ride of the cathedral and castle, so the choice usually comes down to atmosphere and convenience rather than distance. Staying right on the peninsula or around Old Elvet means waking up within sight of the cathedral towers and being able to walk everywhere, though parking is limited and rooms in the city's period buildings tend to book up quickly around graduation weeks and the Lumiere festival. A short walk further out, around the railway station or Neville's Cross, gives easier parking and slightly better value while still keeping the centre within reach on foot.

Travellers with a car, or those visiting for a golf break, a wedding or a spa stay, are often better served by the handful of larger hotels just outside the city on the approach roads, which trade a few minutes' drive for grounds, leisure facilities and quieter surroundings. These tend to suit a longer stay or a special occasion rather than a quick city break. Budget-conscious visitors and those travelling by train will usually do best sticking close to the centre or the station, where guest houses and smaller hotels offer good value without the need for a car.

Whichever part of the city you choose, book ahead if your visit falls near a university graduation ceremony, a Durham City match or the Lumiere festival, when rooms across the whole city fill up and prices rise noticeably. Outside those periods, Durham's compact size means a hotel a ten-minute walk from the cathedral is rarely much of a compromise.