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.
North East Festival of Blossom 2026: History walk - Crook Hall Gardens to Durham Uni Botanic Garden
A walk through the city to appreciate its riverside location, history and architectural heritage, enjoying blossom along the way.
Crook Hall Gardens tour: horticulture
Join our gardening guru volunteers for a horticultural tour of Crook Hall Gardens.
Guided walk: Durham and the River Wear
Explore the city's green spaces and wander along the River Wear.