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Riverbanks and Woodlands

The riverbanks and ancient woodland that surround the cathedral are a fascinating place to explore all year round. They provide a scenic escape for locals and visitors to this historic medieval city, as well as providing a haven for many different types of wildlife.

Visiting the riverbanks

A short walk from Framwellgate bridge will bring you to the riverbanks, a green space filled with walking routes and paths perfect for exploring in the heart of the city.

Any time of year is great to enjoy a walk along one of the public footpaths and there are many benches along the way to stop and take in the views or sit and read a book. In the summer, stop for a picnic on the lawn areas beside Prebends Bridge or the Counts House for fantastic views while you stop to refuel and in the winter grab a hot drink from the Undercroft Cafe to bring with you on your walk.

If you're feeling adventurous, across the river from the city, the footpaths offer a more challenging walk and are a bit narrower with slopes and steps on the footpath next to the river. The setting of the river makes it suitable for many leisure activities including rowing, canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding.

Visiting with four-legged friends

Dogs are very welcome to explore the riverbanks and woodlands surrounding the cathedral.

There are plenty of bins along the routes, and we ask that you use these to dispose of any waste to help us maintain the beauty of the surroundings. 

The woodlands and wildlife

The river Wear is one of the major rivers of North East England, starting in the Pennine hills and joining the sea at Wearmouth in Sunderland. In Durham, the river meanders round the cathedral, castle, and medieval city creating a loop known as the peninsula. The river is home to many species including salmon, eel and lamprey.

The trees on both sides of the river are what remains of a broadleaved ancient woodland of mostly oak and beech trees, some of which are around 350 years old. There is also yew, hornbeam and common lime trees. In winter, the line of lime trees are most noticeable on the lower riverbank path from Framwellgate Bridge to the Fulling Mill.

The riverbanks are home to many species of plants. Depending on the seasons, you may see drifts of snowdrops, daffodils, cranesbill geranium and goldilocks buttercups. In the middle of a busy city, the riverbanks are a haven for many types of wildlife. Visit us during the day and you might spot a squirrel, kingfisher, heron or even an otter. The woods are home to bats, owls, badgers and foxes that can be seen or heard on an evening walk.

Maintaining the landscape

In the 18th Century the wooded riverbanks were transformed into a planned landscape for leisure activities commissioned by the Dean and Chapter as part of a national trend to create Arcadian landscapes. 

Today, the riverbanks are carefully managed by the cathedral's team of gardeners, who look after the trees and shrubs and control invasive non-native species (INNS) such as Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam. 

Trees that are decaying are carefully checked and felling takes place every winter when it’s least disruptive to wildlife. The timber is then left to provide a home for insects.

Children's nature hunt

How good are you at spotting creepy crawlies and flowers? Download our nature hunt and see what you can find

Photography trail

Hunt out all the best spots for taking photos of the scenery and see expert tips to get the most out of your camera

Pilgrimage trail

The riverbanks have been explored by pilgrims for over 900 years. Find places to pause and feel close to God in the beauty of nature with this trail

History trail

Learn more about the landscape, which was developed by the cathedral clergy in the 18th century

Geology trail

Explore some of the geological features of the riverbanks, which began to form around 11,000 years ago at the end of the last glacial period

Don't miss these local landmarks

Prebends Bridge

Originally, this was the site of a ferry, but was replaced by a timber bridge built on stone piers in 1574. The Great Flood of 1771 swept this away. The present bridge, designed by George Nicholson, was built between 1772 – 1778 and paid for by the Dean and Chapter. Today, the bridge provides much-used pedestrian access to and from the city and offers stunning views of the cathedral in its woodland setting.

At the end of Prebends Bridge on the footpath to the Corn Mill, you will see a large cone built of stone. This was originally one of the tower pinnacles at the cathedral's Chapel of the Nine Altars, removed during the 18th century. In the 1980s, it was installed it on the riverbanks as a folly.

Corn Mill (South Street Mill)

The mill began life as a fulling mill, but by 1462 it was grinding corn. The mill was rebuilt following the great flood of 1771. By the middle of the 19th century, it ceased being a mill and was used as a residence for Dean and Chapter staff.

The Fulling Mill

There was likely a Bishop's Mill here which was purchased by the prior around the 15th century. At this time there were two mills; the Lead Mill and the Jesus Mill. One mill was used for fulling, which is the process of cleaning woollen cloth. Traditionally, fulling was carried out by the fuller pounding the cloth with their hands, feet or a club. Cleaning the cloth eliminates oils, dirt, and other impurities and makes it thicker and better quality for sale. At this mill, woven cloth was cleaned in vats pounded by hammers powered by water from the weir. The money the priory earned was used for the upkeep of the Jesus Altar in the cathedral.

During the 19th century, the mill was used as a spinning mill and museum. In the 20th century it was used as a café and then the Department of Archaeology later the Museum of Archaeology.

The Water Gate

The Water Gate is a gateway in the city wall leading to Prebends Bridge. Originally constructed in the medieval era, the first gate was built further along the river. This joined the original Prebends Bridge, washed away in the 1771 great flood.

The Count's House

The Count's House is a classical Greek style summer house built around the 1820s. It is named after Polish ‘Count’ Joseph Boruwlaski who lived in a nearby Banks Cottage. Joseph was three foot, three inches tall and died in 1837 aged 97. His clothes are preserved in Durham Town Hall along with his violin and portrait.

Although named after him, Joseph did not actually live here. The house would have been a summer house at the end of his garden.

Caring for the riverbanks

Durham Cathedrals team of gardeners work to ensure the riverbanks and woodlands are a safe haven for visitors and wildlife all year round. It's just one of the many ways we look after this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Find out how we care for the cathedral