I went to Durham for a couple of days

I have wanted to go to Durham for many years, my Grand-mother was born in Sunderland and I needed to go to the archives to advance my family history project.  I heard fantastic things about the city so had a long list of things to do to cram into my two days.Sigh.  The record office is only open three days a week, guess which two I went.  Closed!

I walked up to the Cathedral, it is Norman so not as breathtaking as the Gothic one I am used to here in Lincoln.  But it is interesting and has the shrine of St Cuthbert, unfortunately photos weren't allowed.  I headed deep inside the Cathedral to find the 'Treasures of St Cuthbert' exhibition.  "This is a permanent exhibition that includes the Saxon relics of St Cuthbert, illuminated manuscripts, historic church silverware and textiles. This summer the exhibition is joined by biblical rarities from the Cathedral’s collections including a first edition of the 1611 King James Bible, in celebration of its 400th anniversary."  Wow!  It closed in October, the exhbition space is being turned into a bookshop. I didn't cry.

I walked across the courtyard to the Heritage Centre.  They have a brass rubbing centre and I was looking forward to having a go and maybe collecting some inspiration for future work.  They were having solar panels installed on the roof, so "everything had been put away".  So close and yet...

The opposite side of the courtward was the 'Treasures of Durham University - Library special collections'.  1/2 price entrance fee.  Sigh.  Around 1/3 of the exhibitions were replaced with a piece of card saying "exhibit removed".

The castle is being used for student accomadation so tourists aren't allowed inside, but you can normally wander around outside.  But, there was a barrier with a no entry sign, workmen were working with hard hats.

I was tired and hungry so had some lunch and wandered around the shops until it was time to go back to the hotel.  By 3.30 I wanted to come home! 

The photos are of the "War Memorial" for the Durham Light Infantrymen.  It is a beautifully carved monolith with a celtic cross.