Durham’s Landmarks and Legends: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
Overview
This self-guided walking tour takes you on a journey through time to explore the dramatic peninsula of Durham city.
You’ll make your way from the bustling heart of the city, along tranquil riverside footpaths and medieval bridges, to the world-famous Durham Cathedral. You’ll see some of the most spectacular vantage points around, and hear tales of St. Cuthbert and his miraculous journey to the city roughly 300 years after his death! Along the way, you’ll encounter the legendary kings and ferocious rivalries that have shaped Durham since Anglo-Saxon times.
From wealthy and eccentric Prince Bishops to humble locals, you’ll meet the people who have made the city what it is today. Allow an hour for the tour without any additional stops but you can pause the tour whenever you want for refreshments enroute.
You'll need to download the tour onto the VoiceMap app which uses your location to move the story along at the right time and place. The tour can also be enjoyed virtually at home.
You’ll make your way from the bustling heart of the city, along tranquil riverside footpaths and medieval bridges, to the world-famous Durham Cathedral. You’ll see some of the most spectacular vantage points around, and hear tales of St. Cuthbert and his miraculous journey to the city roughly 300 years after his death! Along the way, you’ll encounter the legendary kings and ferocious rivalries that have shaped Durham since Anglo-Saxon times.
From wealthy and eccentric Prince Bishops to humble locals, you’ll meet the people who have made the city what it is today. Allow an hour for the tour without any additional stops but you can pause the tour whenever you want for refreshments enroute.
You'll need to download the tour onto the VoiceMap app which uses your location to move the story along at the right time and place. The tour can also be enjoyed virtually at home.
Inclusions
- Lifetime access to this tour in English
- VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Durham Market Place, Durham DH1, UK
The tour starts in Durham Market Place. You'll learn about the square's history, how to use the VoiceMap app which you'll use to take the tour and why there's a statue of Neptune in the square.
Pass By: Framwellgate Bridge, Silver Street, Durham England
The tour takes you over the Framwellgate Bridge. From the bridge, you'll have a great view of Durham Castle which you'll learn about.
Pass By: Durham Riverside Walk, Durham England
The tour takes you along a section of the Durham Riverside Walk. You'll hear more about the city's history and have a wonderful view of the cathedral.
Pass By: Prebends Bridge, Durham England
You'll cross over the Prebends Bridge, learn about its origin and what it's named after.
Pass By: St Mary the Less, S Bailey, Durham DH1 3EQ, UK
You'll stop briefly outside the St Mary the Less church and learn why it's called "the less." You'll hear about the church before continuing with the tour.
Pass By: Palace Green Library, Palace Green, Durham DH1 3RN England
The tour stops on Palace Green where you'll hear more about the city's history and the buildings surrounding the Palace Green.
Pass By: Durham Cathedral, The College, Durham DH1 3EH England
The tour ends in front of Durham Cathedral. You'll hear the history and a few stories about the cathedral.
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Durham Market Place, Durham DH1, UK
The tour starts in Durham Market Place. You'll learn about the square's history, how to use the VoiceMap app which you'll use to take the tour and why there's a statue of Neptune in the square.
Pass By: Framwellgate Bridge, Silver Street, Durham England
The tour takes you over the Framwellgate Bridge. From the bridge, you'll have a great view of Durham Castle which you'll learn about.
Pass By: Durham Riverside Walk, Durham England
The tour takes you along a section of the Durham Riverside Walk. You'll hear more about the city's history and have a wonderful view of the cathedral.
Pass By: Prebends Bridge, Durham England
You'll cross over the Prebends Bridge, learn about its origin and what it's named after.
Pass By: St Mary the Less, S Bailey, Durham DH1 3EQ, UK
You'll stop briefly outside the St Mary the Less church and learn why it's called "the less." You'll hear about the church before continuing with the tour.
Pass By: Palace Green Library, Palace Green, Durham DH1 3RN England
The tour stops on Palace Green where you'll hear more about the city's history and the buildings surrounding the Palace Green.
Pass By: Durham Cathedral, The College, Durham DH1 3EH England
The tour ends in front of Durham Cathedral. You'll hear the history and a few stories about the cathedral.
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- All of VoiceMap's audio tours are self-guided and users must bring their own smartphone and headphones to take the tour. We urge all our users to wear facemasks and carry hand sanitiser with them to ensure their own protection and the protection of others.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
561rital
September 2021
Added extra interest to the trip - would definitely do for other places we visit. Was about an hour long but went really quick.
Added extra interest to the trip - would definitely do for other places we visit. Was about an hour long but went really quick.charcalluk
September 2021
Excellent self guided tour with very easy to use technology. The Durham commentator was clear in both walking directions and information. Just the right mix of history, legend and anecdotes. Highly recommend and will be looking for more guides in other cities.
Excellent self guided tour with very easy to use technology. The Durham commentator was clear in both walking directions and information. Just the right mix of history, legend and anecdotes. Highly recommend and will be looking for more guides in other cities.philpem
August 2021
Really enjoyed the Self guided walk. Nice to take my time and listen again when I wanted to. Also able to linger and look at the view as long as I wanted to. I will use again when I visit other cities.
Really enjoyed the Self guided walk. Nice to take my time and listen again when I wanted to. Also able to linger and look at the view as long as I wanted to. I will use again when I visit other cities.70alaae
August 2021
I absolutely loved this experience and would 100% recommend anyone to try it! I have been to Durham a couple of times before but I've never experienced it in such a way. The narration is great, the GPS location and direction is spot on, and you have the option to listen to it again if you missed...
I absolutely loved this experience and would 100% recommend anyone to try it! I have been to Durham a couple of times before but I've never experienced it in such a way. The narration is great, the GPS location and direction is spot on, and you have the option to listen to it again if you missed something unlike in in-person tours. I went by myself but felt like I had really great company. One thing I struggled with is payment through the trip advisor page, for some reason I wasn't able to do it through my phone even though I've tried to multiple times and I was sure its not a network issue as I've refreshed the page several times and it works until I have to pay then it just glitches. I had to ask someone else to try it through their phone which worked for them. Overall this experience was great value for money, super fun, and I would definitely try it again.judithbK4800XA
July 2021
Had not come across this concept before searching for things to do for a short break in Durham on Tripadvisor. Very reasonable priced, so decided to give it a go, and very glad I did. I struggle to absorb much information from guide books, but hearing it whilst walking and looking at the buil...
Had not come across this concept before searching for things to do for a short break in Durham on Tripadvisor. Very reasonable priced, so decided to give it a go, and very glad I did. I struggle to absorb much information from guide books, but hearing it whilst walking and looking at the buildings etc. really brought it all to life. Having a guided tour also encouraged me to go places I otherwise probably wouldn't have, and I could do it in my own time. The author / narrator was engaging with his enthusiasm. Only negative was that the app was a little glitchy - when my phone was locked it sometimes stopped playing, then didn't automatically re-start at last place heard. Bit fiddly to find again, however I managed. Overall great product and will definitely try again.annegS2862FM
December 2022
The walking tour was excellent and very informative. The GPS system worked very well. Would definitely use VoiceMap again.
The walking tour was excellent and very informative. The GPS system worked very well. Would definitely use VoiceMap again.