Durham Monks, Miners and cathedral secrets tour with mobile app
4.3 / 5 · 6 traveler reviews
Durham was built around a dead man's bones — monks fleeing Vikings carried a saint's body to a hilltop, and an entire city grew from that moment. This self-guided audio walking tour lets you uncover that story straight from your phone, at your own pace. It also includes a free tour of the Durham cathedral. Walk past the bridge where England's first Tower of London escapee left his mark, hear about Britain's most prolific female serial killer, and learn why Durham's bishops minted their own coins and raised their own armies. You'll follow the river beneath ancient oaks and end at the cathedral still sheltering a thousand-year-old body. No fixed start time, no group to keep up with. Pause for coffee, linger at a viewpoint, or skip ahead — it works offline too. Over 20,000 travelers have used our self-guided tours, and yours comes with a full refund guarantee. If you'd rather explore Durham on your own terms than be herded between stops, this Durham audio tour is for you.
Your experience
Stop 1
The Journey Sculpture – Stand before the wooden figures bent under a coffin that sparked an entire city into existence.
Stop 2
The Market Tavern – Step into the birthplace of a movement that outlived the very industry it was built to protect.
Stop 3
The Market Place – Spot the hidden clay animals scattered above the square where severed heads once hung on poles.
Stop 4
Durham Town Hall – Meet the three-foot-three celebrity who charmed European royalty and won a grave inside the cathedral.
Stop 5
This tour begins at the entrance of Durham Cathedral, where you'll discover its remarkable history and architectural journey. You'll then explore the knockers on the portals, uncovering the stories they depict. As you step inside, the tour guides you through the cathedral’s awe-inspiring stained glass windows, sacred relics, and the tombs of influential bishops—each with its own story and significance. You’ll learn why these figures were laid to rest here and how they shaped the city’s past. The tour concludes at the very place it began: the humble entrance. In total you will go through 25+ stops on this tour.
Stop 6
Statues of Neptune and the Soldier – Trace a granite timeline born from a ten-year-old boy's letter to the local newspaper.
Stop 7
The Riverside Walk – Follow the river gorge where a shepherd boy's vision set off a chain that shaped northern England for centuries.
Stop 8
Framwellgate Bridge – Cross the bridge built by a man who escaped the Tower of London hidden inside a barrel of wine.
Stop 9
The Bailey – Walk one of England's finest medieval streets, once held by soldiers whose rent was paid in loyalty.
Stop 10
Palace Green – Weigh the power of bishops who minted coins, raised armies, and answered to no king.
Stop 11
Silver Street – Search for the plaque marking where a raven dropped a gold coin at the feet of a penniless boy.
Stop 12
The Watergate and City Walls – Pass beneath the medieval gate that helped a castle stay unconquered for nearly a thousand years.
What’s included
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee: If you don’t love the tour, write to us for a full refund.
- Check or search your inbox for an email from us with tour access instructions.
- Audio and written guide included
- Offline access to the tour (no internet connection needed) once tour is downloaded
- Images to identify stops and in app interactive map for navigation
- 1-year access on iOS & Android. Listen to the tour anytime, as many times as you like
Not included
- Entrance to Cathedral treasury GBP 8.00 per person
- Entrance to Durham Castle is GBP 7.50 . The entrance is not included in this tour.
Meeting and pickup
This is a self-guided audio tour on the "Tourific self-guided tours" app. To activate the tour, check your email for instructions from Tourific or your booking platform sent right after booking. Can’t find it? Search for “Tourific” in your email inbox and spam folder. OR contact us via support.
Before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
Check dates and book on Viator →Confirm the meeting point, inclusions, cancellation policy and final price on Viator. We may earn a commission from your booking.