Durham’s Landmarks and Legends: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
4.3
30 Ratings
County Durham
Embark on a self-guided audio tour of Durham's landmarks and legends. Explore the city's rich history, from medieval bridges to the iconic Durham Cathedral. Discover the stories of St. Cuthbert and the legendary kings that shaped the city. Download the tour on the VoiceMap app or enjoy it virtually at home.
Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Durham Market Place - 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.
  • Framwellgate Bridge - 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.
  • Durham Riverside Walk - 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.
  • Prebends Bridge - You’ll cross over the Prebends Bridge, learn about its origin and what it’s named after.
  • St Mary the Less - 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.
  • Palace Green Library - The tour stops on Palace Green where you’ll hear more about the city’s history and the buildings surrounding the Palace Green.
  • Durham Cathedral - The tour ends in front of Durham Cathedral. You’ll hear the history and a few stories about the cathedral.
What's Included
  • VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
  • Lifetime access to this tour in English
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
What's Not Included
  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Transportation
  • Food and drink
Additional Information

Embark on a journey through the historic city of Durham with this self-paced walking tour. Beginning in the lively city center, make your way along peaceful riverside trails and ancient bridges, arriving eventually at the renown Durham Cathedral. You’ll be able to enjoy breathtaking views and listen to stories of St. Cuthbert’s miraculous arrival in the city three centuries after his passing! Along your journey, you’ll come across tales of legendary monarchs and intense adversaries that have influenced Durham since the Anglo-Saxon era.

You’ll also get to know the personalities - from the rich and quirky Prince Bishops to the modest locals - that have shaped the city to its present state. The tour is designed to be completed in an hour, without any additional stops, but feel free to pause anytime for a break.

The tour can be accessed via the VoiceMap app which uses your geographical location to progress the story based on your movements. You can also enjoy the tour remotely from the comfort of your home.

Location
Durham Market Place
The tour starts in Durham Market Place. Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.3
(30 Ratings)
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Lindaandrichard2017
Sep 24, 2023
Not a bad option - Was in Durham for two days but no walking tours running on a Friday so took up the self guided option. It was actually really informative easy to follow the directions and we would never of found our way around with out it. Took just over an hour, a pleasant walk with history details but at a nice pace. Well done would recommend. (You do have to go down steps to the river)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Suzanne_h
Jul 9, 2023
Great walking tour! - I was impressed by the knowledge of the audio guide. Also with the VoiceMap technology that allowed the description to know where we were so the commentary was appropriate for the location.
Review provided by Viator
Janice_s
Jul 3, 2023
Great way to get an insight into Durham. - Easy to use self guided tour. Easy to understand and to navigate and a great insight into the area. An economically way to transverse the area. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
5maryjanej
Apr 23, 2023
Enjoyable informative walk - Really informative tour taking in all the main sights. Great to be able to do it in your own time at your own pace
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bandsd
Apr 20, 2023
Good overview of the historical city - Very interesting tour. Able to to it at your own pace and to stop longer at certain places if wanted. Slight downside: There were 4 of us, but the audio didn’t always sync at the same time, but not a big problem.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
V1435rcdanielm
Apr 11, 2023
Complete - Beautiful landscape, impressive buildings and the audio guide completed the day. Everything was outstanding.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jennifer_d
Aug 6, 2023
Great storytelling, not so great in other areas… - While the storyteller was very good, there was too much quiet - I was unsure that I was going the right way several times, and my husband actually did go the wrong way, because he was having a lot of problems with the gps getting his location right!
Review provided by Viator
Rmmoll
Jun 30, 2023
Good value for money - Technology worked well and gave good structure to our walk around Durham. I found the delivery lacked dynamism and for me the structure was a bit confusing, leaping about between centuries. It is good value for money however.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
James
Apr 11, 2023
Glitchy - Glitchy. Constantly stopped working, resetting. Had to jump between things manually and it would still mess up. Can't really recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
391lornad
Nov 10, 2023
Missed the tour - Couldn’t log on to site so missed the tour. Really disappointed and cost £6.70 too. No one to call to tell me what to do. Such a shame.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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May 2024
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