Allergate play area

Explorer Tom Durham Castle looks across Palace Green at the cathedral as if the two buildings have been debating who owns the skyline for nine centuries. Its Norman walls began as a statement of power; today students eat dinner inside them, which is a rather better use than arguing with invaders. I would enrol for the view alone, but the university expects actual study. William the Conqueror ordered construction to begin in 1072 after the Normans took hold of the north. The castle became the residence of Durham's powerful prince-bishops, who combined religious office with political authority. They rebuilt and enlarged it over centuries, turning a fortress into a palace. The Great Hall, first raised on a grander scale in the early fourteenth century, still has the height to make a modern dining table look timid. Since 1837, University College has lived in the castle. That living use is part of its history, but it also means visitors cannot wander through private rooms at will. Student guides lead official tours through accessible historic spaces, explaining how the chapel, hall and courtyards have changed. Look for the small detail that survives beside the grand room: a carved arch or altered window can give away a whole century of argument with the building. Book or check an official tour before travelling because college events can change access at short notice. Take a view from Palace Green first, then let the guide show how much life fits behind the walls. The castle is more than a picture beside the cathedral. It is a place still busy being used.