Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral is one of the greatest buildings in Europe — a Romanesque masterpiece that has stood on its rocky peninsula above the River Wear for over 900 years. The massive carved pillars of the nave (some incised with geometric patterns, others with chevrons and zigzags) create an interior of extraordinary power and beauty. It houses the shrine of St Cuthbert and the tomb of the Venerable Bede. The cathedral was the first building in the world to use pointed (rib-vaulted) arches on a major scale — a structural innovation that made Gothic architecture possible. The Galilee Chapel at the west end contains Bede's tomb and beautiful 12th-century wall paintings. The Cathedral tower (325 steps) offers panoramic views across Durham, the Wear, and the surrounding countryside. The setting is as remarkable as the building — the cathedral sits atop a wooded gorge above a dramatic loop in the River Wear, with Durham Castle (now part of the university) immediately adjacent. The riverside walks below the cathedral are beautiful. Evensong is free and the choral tradition is one of the finest in the country. Free entry, though donations are encouraged and tower access is charged.