With August drawing to a close, and the first week of September upon us, there seems to be only one thing on everyone’s minds: Autumn. “But Summer’s barely over!”, I hear you cry. Well tough, the Halloween decorations have been in the shops for at least a month now, and I’m taking that as a sign to begrudgingly rewatch Gilmore Girls, and start wearing jackets again. To get you into the spirit of the season, here are my top picks of things to do in Autumn in Durham.
1. Visit Lumiere
The UK’s light art biennial is back from the 13th to the 15th of November this year. For the 9th time since it began in 2009, Durham will be transformed into an illuminated art gallery for three evenings. Wandering around Durham and seeing landmarks and public buildings reimagined through light art is seriously special – the perfect activity to do with friends, family, as a date, or on your own. Even better, the tickets are free, and information is released on the 1st of September.
2. Grab brunch at one of Durham’s coffee shops
Durham may not exactly be a shopping hub like nearby Newcastle, but one thing it’s certainly not short of is coffee shops. Shelter from the Autumn rain one of Durham’s quaint and cosy coffee shops. White Church is the perfect escape from library study seshes. Flat White has an unmatched drink selection, but to avoid the queues, try nearby Little Flat White if you only want a drink. Riverview is a crowd favourite, but if you want pancakes without queues, I would recommend the Georgian Pancake Townhouse on Crossgate instead.
3. Have Sunday dinner at the Cellar Door
I’m not even going to recommend other roasts – if you want the best, I’m saying Cellar Door has it. Special mention goes to those Yorkshire puddings. IYKYK.
4. Go on an autumnal walk
In a city where there isn’t a whole load to do, what better way to usher in the new season, than putting on a big coat, and going for a walk. If you follow the river round from Revolution, and past the racecourse, you’ll eventually reach Old Durham Farm. They have ALPACAS; you heard me. Another gorgeous walk is around Maiden Castle. Just a stone’s throw from the city centre, you’ll feel as if you’re in the middle of nowhere. If you have a car, Finchale Priory is a beautiful local spot with a little cafe, and it’s dog friendly. Don’t say we don’t spoil you.
5. Get spooked on a Durham ghost walk
Looking to get in the spooky spirit? Durham Ghost Walks hosts free ghost tours at 7pm on the first Sunday of each month. Some would say that’s frightfully good, but not me, because that a bad pun. Durham Ghost Walks is not to be confused with Walking with the Ghosts of Durham, another tour that operates around Durham City. Both can be checked out via Facebook. The season for Walking with the Ghosts of Durham starts on the 13th of September, just in time to usher in the new season.
6. Go back in time on a Durham Castle Tour
Can’t get enough of touring Durham? Durham Castle and Cathedral is a World UNESCO Heritage site with over 1000 years of history. Guided tours of the Castle are an hour long, and cover the millennia of history housed within its walls. What’s more, the tour is free for students of Durham University, so it’s well worth giving a go. Check out the website for seasonal events, too. But be warned, you must book in advance!
7. Climb Durham Cathedral tower
If you’re not afraid of heights, why not try the 66m climb up the tower at Durham Cathedral? Again, this is something you’ll have to book in advance, but I hear the views of the city from the top are well worth it. I myself haven’t climbed it yet, because doing so before your graduation is supposedly bad luck. Laugh if you like but I’m not risking it.
8. Visit Shakespeare Recovered: Durham’s First Folio
Until the 2nd of November, Palace Green is holding a free exhibition of a First Folio of Shakespeare’s works, one of only 235 known copies in the world. Stolen in December 1998 while on display in Cosin’s Library, the Folio mysteriously reappeared in Washington DC a decade later, before being returned to its home in the Northeast. See the folio on display and learn about what happened next. This exhibition is perfect for Secret History, dark academia folks looking to feel intellectual. It’s free but spaces are limited, so book in advance!
9. Watch a film at the Gala Cinema
Durham’s Gala Theatre has a cinema, and every single ticket is £5. That’s right, only a fiver. So, on days when the weather just doesn’t permit being outside, cosy up in the cinema instead. With the money you save on tickets, you could buy at least half a popcorn. Probably.
10. Grab a pint at a cosy pub
What screams longer evenings more than pubs in Autumn. Durham is choc-full of pubs to choose from. From live music venues like Holy GrAle to cosy hideaways like the Old Elm, there’s something for everyone. There’s even a couple of haunts that are actually haunted, like the Dun Cow and the Shakespeare, perfect for spooky season.
FAQs on Top Activities in Durham in Autumn
Riverside paths around the Wear, Prebends Bridge, and Observatory Hill are student favourites for autumn colour. The Durham University Botanic Garden is another top spot for seasonal foliage and quiet study breaks outdoors.
Visit Durham Cathedral for history and architecture, explore the Oriental Museum, or book a film at local cinemas. Many students also try cafés for study sessions, board game nights, and college common room events during darker evenings.
Look for university freshers follow up events, college formals, museum late openings, and local food markets. Some years include large city light and arts events in late autumn. Check the Students’ Union and council listings for current dates and tickets.
Try independent cafés for seasonal soups and hot drinks, student deals in pubs midweek, and market stalls for sweet treats. Cooking with friends and doing a campus soup night is another low cost way to enjoy the season together.
By train you can reach Newcastle for galleries and shopping, or Darlington for parks and cafés. Buses connect to the Durham Heritage Coast for bracing seaside walks and to the countryside around the North Pennines for scenic hikes on clear days.
