Guided Walking Tour of Durham & its Infamous Characters: Discover a City Steeped in History

Join our guided walking tour of Durham and uncover the fascinating stories of its infamous characters. From Narnia to mining, dragons to saints, and even a serial killer, this tour is a captivating journey through the city’s rich history.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Durham Market Place - At the heart of Durham’s historic old town, your guide will tell the story of Lord Londonderry, whose statue dominates the scenery, and Durham’s mining heritage.
  • Elvet Bridge - Situated on the winding River Wear, above the former dungeons of Durham, Elvet Bridge sets the scene for the story of Jimmy Allen, the People’s…
What's Included
  • Local history and folklore expertise
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

This excursion offers much more than a simple journey around Durham. It delves deeply into the narratives interwoven with its residents and their histories. From connections to the magical realm of Narnia to its traditions rooted in mining, from tales elicited by dragons and saints to accounts of a serial murderer, Durham offers a treasure trove of…

Location
Gala Theatre & Cinema
Millennium Place
Coming from Market Place, cross the bridge towards the Gala Theatre, then turn left onto Millennium Place and you will see your guide, usually equipped with an umbrella , and always with a backpack, standing by the statue of pilgrims carrying St Cuthbert's coffin, in front of Clayport Library.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(182 Ratings)
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M1327vnchristinel
Mar 15, 2025
A fascinating insight into a charming city - We joined Tom, an exuberant and informative guide on his walking tour of Durham. If you are looking for a tour with a guide who has a wealth of knowledge about a city he so obviously loves, and a commentary sprinkled with anecdotes then Tom's your man.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David_m
Mar 2, 2025
Great walk - Very knowledgeable, giving very interesting historical information and good company on our guided walk around the city.
Review provided by Viator
Abhij0ys
Feb 27, 2025
Tom's Fantastic & Original Tour - This walking tour is an absolute must for anyone visiting Durham! Our guide Tom, a Durham University graduate, was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, bringing the city's fascinating history to life. He clearly had read every book he could find on the history of Durham to create this tour! The breathtaking views of the cathedral and historic city center were a bonus! The tour is family-friendly and accessible, making it perfect for everyone. I highly recommend this tour to travelers, students, and locals alike – you're guaranteed to discover something new and unforgettable about Durham.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tonya_s
Feb 27, 2025
Book Tom! - Tom was knowledgeable and phrased things in a way that was highly engaging. I couldn’t wait to learn more!
Review provided by Viator
Anlily
Feb 27, 2025
Worth visiting in any weather - I was at the University of Durham for a conference and enjoyed my tour. Unlike most guides, I was given the opportunity to travel on foot in the rain (which wasn’t a problem for me). On my tight schedule before departure, I was able to visit the main sites and get a lot of historical and dramatic commentary on this traditional cathedral city. I’m glad we even saw the lamp from CS Lewis’ Tales of Narnia. Wear good shoes for the wooded descent, and bring water and a camera for the stroll along numerous bridges. You won’t be disappointed!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Heather_r
Feb 19, 2025
Excellent tour - Excellent guide, tour was packed with historical information, interesting facts and lovely views of Durham
Review provided by Viator
Neil_j
Feb 17, 2025
Great walking tour of Durham. - Tom gave us a great and detailed description of all the intricate tales that make Durham such a great place to visit. Really enjoyed it form start to finish, so enlightening.
Review provided by Viator
Georgetk2670cg
Feb 15, 2025
Greatly exceeded expectations! - Tom was an amazing tour guide! His stories brought the history of Durham to life. Despite the weather, Tom made this walking tour a very enjoyable and interesting time. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carol_c
Feb 11, 2025
Fab tour - Tom was amazing his knowledge was brilliant. Great informative tour. He showed us historical things that we would never have known about
Review provided by Viator
Stephanie
Feb 10, 2025
Excellent , educational and delivered by Tom who made it very interesting and enjoyable! Thankyou - Tom was excellent at delivering our tour today. Learnt so much about Durham from him too. Tom had so much knowledge to share with us! Very interesting- thankyou Tom!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
April 2025
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