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History of Durham city walk

A guided walk from Crook Hall Gardens delving into the history of Durham.

  • Booking not needed
  • Free event

Join local history buff 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.

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: horticulture 

Join our gardening guru volunteers for a tour.

Event summary

on
12 Sep to 31 Oct 2025
at
11:00 to 12:30
+ 15 other dates or times

Family guided ride and bike maintenance workshop 

We're teaming up with Durham County Council and Recyke y'Bike to offer a family-friendly guided bike ride from Crook Hall Gardens.

Event summary

on
14 Sep 2025
at
10:00 to 12:00

Heritage Open Days 

Enjoy free entry to Crook Hall Gardens for Heritage Open Days.

Event summary

on
14 Sep to 15 Sep 2025
at
10:00 to 17:00
+ 1 other date or time

Crook Hall Gardens poetry walk 

From summer sonnets to autumn anthologies, wintery works to springtime stanzas, experience a seasonal poetry walk at Crook Hall Gardens.

Event summary

on
14 Sep to 6 Dec 2025
at
13:00 to 13:50
+ 2 other dates or times