Student Accommodation

Durham

The Universities

Durham is an old-fashioned city, with a traditional university that is split into a number of colleges.

Durham University

Rightly regarded as one of the top universities in the world, Durham University continues to strive for and achieve greatness in teaching and research. It is home to some of the leading experts in different fields on the teaching staff, ensuring a consistent and high level of teaching for students. It has upgraded its facilities to remain at the vanguard of research, and as a result, it has a high satisfaction rate from past and present students. The collegiate system provides a diverse set of multidisciplinary students and staff from all types of backgrounds. The Students’ Union represents over 17,500 students, closely linked to each college and has over 250 groups and societies on offer, including one of the best Students’ Union charities in the UK – Durham University Charities Committee (DUCK).

Different Colleges of Durham University

In a similar fashion to the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, Durham University operates a collegiate structure. There is no formal teaching at the colleges like Oxford and Cambridge; however, they do dominate the social life, the sporting life, residential, and pastoral functions for the universities. There are also formal dinners at some of the colleges, with gowns worn and tradition everywhere. The oldest college is University College, founded in 1832, and the most recent is Josephine Butler College, founded in 2006. There are four types of college: Maintained Colleges, Recognised Colleges, Licensed Halls of Residence, and Affiliated Colleges. There are expected to be between four and six new colleges built by 2027.

New College Durham

A further and higher education college, and a sixth form college, New College was founded in 1977 and offers a range of courses. In 2011, it became one of only two colleges in the country to be granted Foundation Degree Awarding Powers. What this means is that the courses can be converted to a bachelor’s degree with a ‘top-up’ year.

Where to Eat

Durham has plenty of good places to eat, from cafés for a coffee and a sandwich to restaurants for a bigger meal with friends or family. Here are a few places worth trying.

Vennels Café (Saddlers Yard)

Vennels is in a 16th-century building on Saddlers Yard, off Saddler Street, reached through the narrow alleyways (the “vennels”) that give it its name. It has several floors and a courtyard, and everything is made on the premises, including its scones, soups, pies and cakes. It’s open during the day, so it’s a good choice for breakfast, lunch or an afternoon break, and it doesn’t take table reservations.

Inshanghai (The Riverwalk)

Inshanghai is at The Riverwalk on Lambton Street and serves Chinese food, including an all-you-can-eat buffet. It’s a relaxed option for a group meal, close to the river.

Lebaneat (North Bailey)

Lebaneat is at 47 North Bailey, among the Bailey colleges and close to the cathedral. It serves Lebanese dishes, including hot and cold starters, chargrilled meats, wraps, salads and falafel, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.

Have a Good Night Out

Durham is a small city, but it has a lively student social scene and a good mix of bars, club nights and college bars. Because it’s compact, it’s easy to get to know quickly, and many places are friendly on the wallet compared with larger student cities.

College Bars

Each of Durham University’s 17 colleges has its own bar, so it’s easy to start a night out close to home. They’re run for students and are a good way to meet people in your college, with events and themed nights throughout the year. Drinks are often cheaper than in the city centre.

Klute (Elvet Bridge)

Klute is a nightclub on Elvet Bridge that has been part of Durham student life since 1971, and is known for its student nights. It has gained a cult reputation, with some people jokingly calling it the “worst nightclub in Europe”, which students tend to wear as a badge of honour. Please check the venue’s current trading status before visiting, as it has changed in recent years.

Tin of Sardines (Elvet Bridge)

Tin of Sardines at 18 Elvet Bridge is Durham’s smallest gin bar, with space for only a handful of people inside, plus tables outside on the bridge overlooking the River Wear. It has a selection of more than 200 gins from around the world, along with specialist mixers. Its sister venue, Old Tom’s Gin Bar, is on The Riverwalk and has a similar menu.

Sport Clubs and Teams

Sport is a big part of student life in Durham. The university has a wide range of sports clubs and teams, from elite level to casual, and there are plenty of ways to watch live sport in the city and across the North East.

Chester-le-Street for Cricket

Durham County Cricket Club plays at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street, a short journey from the city. The ground hosts county cricket and has staged international matches, including Test matches, T20 internationals and World Cup fixtures. Trains to Chester-le-Street are frequent but can get busy on match days.

Football in the North East

The North East has several football clubs within reach of Durham. You can travel to see Newcastle United at St James’ Park, Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, Middlesbrough or Hartlepool United. There’s also non-league football closer to home, so it’s worth checking the local fixtures.

Big Sporting Events

Durham Regatta is held each June on the River Wear. It dates back to 1834, making it the second-oldest regatta in England after Chester, and it draws thousands of spectators to the riverbanks. For something more active, Hamsterley Forest hosts running events, including 10K and half marathon races.

Mountain Biking

Hamsterley Forest is popular with mountain bikers, with trails to suit a range of abilities. There are also riverside and reservoir routes in the area for gentler rides.

Watersports

The reservoirs in the Durham Dales and nearby Northumberland offer opportunities for sailing, canoeing and fishing. Check with each venue for current activities and booking arrangements.

Treat Yourself

Durham and the surrounding area have a good mix of shopping centres, markets and independent shops, whether you’re stocking up on essentials or treating yourself.

Prince Bishops Place

Prince Bishops Place is in the centre of Durham, close to the Market Place, and has high street names such as Boots and Next. Plans to redevelop the centre were approved in June 2026, and the shopping centre is expected to close to the public for around two years once work begins, so it’s worth checking its current status before visiting.

Dalton Park Outlet and Outdoors

Dalton Park is the largest outlet shopping centre in the North East, in Murton near Seaham. It has more than 60 outlet shops, around 10 cafés and restaurants and a seven-screen cinema. It’s reachable by bus from Durham Bus Station, so it makes a good day out with friends.

Durham Market Hall

Durham Market Hall is a covered Victorian market just off the Market Place, with dozens of independent traders selling food and drink, gifts, homewares and clothing. The Durham Markets Company also runs an outdoor market on Saturdays in the Market Place, and holds regular producers’ and craft markets.

Independent Stores

Durham’s cobbled streets are lined with independent shops and boutiques. The Mugwump on Saddler Street is a well-known independent boutique, established in 1966 by two art school graduates, and is worth a look for fashion, gifts and homeware.

Durham Christmas Festival

Every year on the first weekend of December, Durham Christmas Festival takes over the city centre for three days. It includes a large craft and gift marquee on Palace Green, a regional producers’ market in the cathedral cloisters, a festive outdoor market in the Market Place and Durham Market Hall, as well as street entertainment and carol services. Entry to the marquee is charged, so it’s worth checking the festival website for tickets.

Events and Attractions

Durham is a small, historic city with a strong sense of community, and there’s plenty to see and do. Here are some of the attractions and events you can explore while you’re studying here.

Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral and Castle sit together on a high bend of the River Wear and form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cathedral dominates the city’s skyline and is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Britain. Its Open Treasure exhibition, in the medieval monastic spaces, includes the 7th-century coffin and pectoral cross of St Cuthbert.

Durham Castle

Durham Castle was begun in 1072 under William the Conqueror and is now the home of University College, known to students as “Castle”. You can book guided tours to find out more about its nearly thousand-year history.

Durham University Botanic Garden

Durham University Botanic Garden is set in woodland and has plants from around the world, including glasshouse collections with exotic and desert species. It also hosts events and exhibitions through the year, and it’s a peaceful place to spend an afternoon.

Festivals

Durham Christmas Festival is a highlight of the city’s calendar, held over three days on the first weekend of December, with craft and gift stalls on Palace Green and markets across the city centre. For music lovers, Durham Brass Festival brings live brass music to venues and outdoor spaces across the city, and the Bishop Auckland Food Festival is worth the trip out of town for street food and local producers.