History of Durham city walk
A guided walk from Crook Hall Gardens delving into the history of Durham.
- Booking not needed
- Free event
Join Crook Hall Gardens volunteer and local historian David Butler to explore Durham's captivating history, from its Anglo-Saxon origins onwards. The walk will take you around the city centre, before returning to Crook Hall Gardens. Approximately 2 miles/3.2km.
Free - donations welcome. There's no need to book, but places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Please note: Tours are run by a small volunteer team, so occasional dates need to be cancelled each month. If you are visiting to attend a tour, please confirm it is going ahead by calling in advance on 0191 383 1832.
Times
The basics
- Suitability
Children welcome, must be accompanied by an adult.
- Meeting point
Meet at the admissions hut by the entrance to Crook Hall Gardens.
- What to bring and wear
Please wear sensible footwear and weather appropriate clothing.
- Accessibility
The route includes four flights of steps and a steep slope, plus five road crossings. The route is approximately 2 miles/3.2km, at a gentle pace with lots of stops.
- Other
This walk lasts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Maximum stay in our car park is usually 3 hours. If you'd like to stay longer to visit the gardens or café before or after the walk, please leave your registration number at the admissions desk.
Upcoming events
Crook Hall Gardens tour: history and literary links
Step into Crook Hall Gardens' past on a guided tour.
Crook Hall Gardens tour: horticulture
Join our gardening guru volunteers for a horticultural tour of Crook Hall Gardens.
North East Festival of Blossom 2026: Art and photography student exhibition
Encounter creative responses to Blossom around Crook Hall Gardens, designed by students from the University of Sunderland.
Woodland tabletop garden workshop by The Northern Flower Garden
Join florist Debbie from The Northern Flower Garden for a new workshop, inspired by Crook Hall Gardens.