"Durham Cathedral " Top 5 Page for this destination Middlesbrough Off The Beaten Path Tip by keeweechic

This is a magnificent Norman Cathedral and one of the best in Europe. Built in 1093, it is the shrine of St Cuthbert and together with Durham Castle, is a World Heritage Site. The tower was rebuilt between 1465 and 1490. During the Reformation the inside of the Cathedral was damaged quite significantly.

A large part of the woodwork was destroyed by 3,000 Scots prisoners held there after the Battle of Dunbar (1650) who used it as firewood. Finally, the building was repaired in the 18th century and then improved during the 19th century.