Durham Packages/Deals & Travel Agents Near Me

Overview

Introduction

The university town of Durham, England, merits a visit not only for its beautiful setting (the historic center is encircled by deep, thick woods), but also for its cathedral and castle, both built in the 11th century. The castle now serves as a residence hall for students. The cathedral is one of our favorites in all of England—it's one of the earliest vaulted cathedrals in Europe, and the first to use rib vaults (don't miss its Treasures museum).

It's best to explore the city on foot, but a car is needed to make excursions to area sights, including Housesteads, a Roman fort built along Hadrian's Wall; Binchester, another well-preserved Roman fort near Bishop Auckland; Corbridge, an ancient Roman town with well-preserved granaries; and the Bowes Museum (beautiful tapestries) and the 11th-century ruins of Barnard Castle (also an attractive and well-preserved market town).

To absorb the true flavor of the social history of the area, visit the 300-acre/120-hectare Beamish Museum (about 10 mi/16 km north), where genuine cobbled streets, stores, houses, trams, steam trains, a colliery and much more have been re-erected into a living community that reflects 18th-century working life.

Durham is located 65 mi/105 km north of York.

Overview

Introduction

Along with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, fast-growing Durham is part of North Carolina's Research Triangle region in the heart of the state. Durham is home to Duke University and North Carolina Central University.

Through the years, Durham has evolved into a global center for information technology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and medicine. Health care is among its primary industries, and it is often referred to as the City of Medicine.

Durham is among North Carolina's largest cities. More than 5 million people visit the city each year. Visitors will find that there is plenty to see and do in Durham, from art to science to nature to sports.

Durham has been renovating its old tobacco factories for some time, making for some rather unusual architecture downtown. If you have time, check out Brightleaf Square, West Village and the American Tobacco Historic District. All of these places are converted tobacco factories that now house restaurants and stores.

Adjacent to American Tobacco is the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, the most famous minor-league baseball venue in the country.