North East England Station code DHM
Durham
Durham by train: a cathedral and castle World Heritage Site on a river peninsula, a short walk downhill from the station.
- Around 2 hours 40–45 minutes from London
- 2 LNER routes
- 6 things to do
Durham Cathedral and Castle above the River Wear, together a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Photo: Sebastian Mierzwa, CC BY-SA 4.0
About Durham
Durham is one of England's most dramatic small cities. It was founded in 995 by monks carrying the relics of St Cuthbert, who chose a steep peninsula wrapped in a loop of the River Wear. The Norman cathedral and castle that followed now form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The cathedral has no admission charge and holds the shrines of St Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede, while the castle – home to students of University College since 1837 – can be visited on guided tours. Riverside paths, university museums and gardens round out a rewarding day.
The station sits on the East Coast Main Line with around one LNER train an hour to London, so Durham works well as a day trip from Newcastle or York as well as a stop in its own right.
Journey
DHM- Fastest from London King's Cross
- Around 2 hours 40–45 minutes
- LNER routes calling
- 2
| Route | Previous stop | Next stop |
|---|---|---|
| London – Edinburgh stop 11 of 18 | Darlington | Newcastle |
| London – Aberdeen stop 11 of 26 | Darlington | Newcastle |
May–December 2026 timetable · not every train calls at every station
Most fast LNER trains in the May–December 2026 timetable take about 2 hours 46 minutes northbound; roughly one LNER train an hour runs to London.
Journey times are from LNER's May–December 2026 timetable and vary by train. Check yours with LNER timetables or the National Rail journey planner.
Key facts
- Opened
- 1 April 1857; on the East Coast Main Line since 1872
- Architect
- Attributed to G. T. Andrews (North Eastern Railway)
- Heritage status
- Grade II listed (front range; west range and canopy)
- Platforms
- 2
- Managed by
- LNER
- Passengers a year
- 2.8 million (April 2024 – March 2025) Source: orr.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Did you know?
- The eleven-arch Durham Viaduct just south of the station, built in 1854–57, is Grade II* listed and gives passengers a grandstand view of the cathedral and castle.
- The station opened on a branch line; East Coast expresses only began running through Durham in 1872, when new lines to Gateshead and towards Darlington were completed.
- After a 2006–08 restoration that moved the entrance back into the original stone building, Durham was named Overall Station of the Year at the 2008 National Rail Awards.
Photos of Durham
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(view larger)
Durham Cathedral and Castle above the River Wear, together a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photo: Sebastian Mierzwa, CC BY-SA 4.0 -
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The long Victorian canopy over one of Durham's two platforms, September 2025. Photo: habiloid, CC BY-SA 2.0 -
(view larger)
The original stone building, now the ticket hall and concourse after a 2006–08 restoration. Photo: Thomas Nugent, CC BY-SA 2.0
Arriving at Durham
Durham station stands on a hill north of the city centre, and trains pull in with a view across to the cathedral and castle. The entrance and travel centre are in the original stone building on the southbound side, and a subway with lifts links the two platforms; taxis wait on Station Approach. The cathedral and castle are under half a mile away as the crow flies, but the walk drops down into town and climbs again onto the peninsula, so allow time and wear comfortable shoes.
Durham station stands on a hill north of the city centre. The cathedral and castle are under half a mile away as the crow flies, but the walk involves a descent into town and a climb up to the peninsula. The station has lifts, a waiting area and a travel centre.
Getting around
Most sights are walkable if you are comfortable with hills. The Botanic Garden is on the southern outskirts, about 1.3 miles away, and Beamish is best reached by bus or car.
Other train services and connections
- CrossCountry
- TransPennine Express (Newcastle; York, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool)
- Northern (limited services to Newcastle, Carlisle and Darlington)
Station facilities
- Step-free accessStep-free to both platforms (National Rail category A)
- LiftsLifts from both platforms to the connecting subway
- StaffStaffed 24 hours Monday to Saturday and 07:00–midnight on Sundays
- Ticket officeMon–Fri 06:00–18:00, Sat 07:00–17:00, Sun 09:00–16:00
- Ticket machinesOn both platforms
- ToiletsOn the concourse on both platforms, open whenever the station is
- Accessible toiletsUnisex accessible toilets on both platforms (RADAR key)
- Baby changingAvailable
- Waiting roomsHeated waiting rooms on both platforms; platform 1 Mon–Sat 04:00–22:00, Sun 08:00–22:00
- Food and drinkCoffee shop, WHSmith and a bar
- Cash machineAvailable
- Left luggageNone
- Car park423 spaces (14 accessible), operated by LNER
- Cycle storage58 sheltered spaces at the north end of both platforms, with CCTV
- TaxisTaxi ranks on Station Approach
Checked September 2026. Facilities and opening hours change — see the National Rail Enquiries station page (opens in a new tab) for the latest details.
History of the station
Durham was first served by stations on its outskirts, at Shincliffe (1839) and Gilesgate (1844), while the main line from London to Newcastle ran east of the city via Leamside. In 1857 the North Eastern Railway opened the present station on its branch from Leamside to Bishop Auckland, carried into the city on the new eleven-arch Durham Viaduct. Its Tudor Gothic stone building is attributed to G. T. Andrews.
New lines to Gateshead (1868) and south to Tursdale Junction and Darlington (1872) turned the branch into the East Coast Main Line, which has run through Durham since 15 January 1872. Local trains to Bishop Auckland and Sunderland ended in 1964, and the line was electrified in 1991. A 2006–08 restoration moved the entrance and ticket hall back into the original building, and platform 1 was later lengthened to 230 metres for LNER's Azuma trains.
A day in Durham
A hilly but compact city: cathedral, castle, market and riverside gardens.
-
Morning
Durham Cathedral
Walk down into town and up onto the peninsula to the cathedral, which is free to enter and holds the shrines of St Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede.
-
Late morning
Durham Castle
Join a student-led tour of the castle across Palace Green; tours don't run every day, so book ahead.
-
Lunch
The Market Hall
Drop down to the Market Place for lunch at the mezzanine café in Durham's Victorian Market Hall.
-
Afternoon
The Oriental Museum
Explore Durham University's collections of art and archaeology from North Africa and Asia.
-
Afternoon
Crook Hall Gardens
Finish in the linked gardens around the medieval hall at Crook Hall, about 0.3 miles from the station.
Things to do near Durham
Durham Cathedral
The great Norman cathedral holds the shrines of St Cuthbert, the North's best-loved saint, and the Venerable Bede. There is no admission charge, though visitors are asked to donate if they can.
Durham Castle
Occupied since the 11th century and now a university college, the castle opens to visitors on guided tours led by trained student guides; tours are not available every day.
Oriental Museum
Durham University's museum devoted to the art and archaeology of North Africa and Asia, from ancient Egypt to modern China, with changing special exhibitions.
Durham University Botanic Garden
A 10-hectare garden set in mature woodland on the southern edge of the city, with glasshouses ranging from tropical rainforest to desert cacti, native woodland and hidden sculptures.
Crook Hall Gardens
A series of characterful linked gardens around a medieval hall on the edge of the city, now cared for by the National Trust.
Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
A large open-air museum recreating everyday life in the North East, with historic streets, working transport and costumed staff. Opening days are reduced outside the main season.
Distances are approximate. Opening times and prices change — check the official website before you go.
Eat & drink near the station
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Market
Durham Market Hall
Trading since 1851, the Market Hall on the Market Place houses around 40 independent traders and a mezzanine café; a Saturday outdoor market spills into the square.
Day trips from Durham
-
Newcastle
The Quayside, the Tyne bridges and the Norman castle keep, about 0.3 miles from the station.
LNER, CrossCountry and TransPennine Express trains take 13–17 minutes, several times an hour.
-
Darlington
Home of Hopetown, a railway attraction on the 1825 Stockton and Darlington route, based in the old North Road station.
Direct trains take about 16 minutes, several times an hour.
Annual events
-
Mid-June (the 193rd regatta was held on 13–14 June 2026)
Durham Regatta
Rowing races on the Wear below the World Heritage Site; the regatta dates back to 1834 and is the second oldest in England after Chester.
-
October (9–11 October 2026)
Durham Book Festival
A weekend of author talks and events celebrating books and ideas, run by New Writing North.
Official website for Durham Book Festival (opens in a new tab)
Dates change from year to year — check the official website before you plan a trip around an event.
Where to stay in Durham
Staying in the centre puts you close to the cathedral and riverside; there are also hotels near the station.
Tips for your visit
- Comfortable shoes help: the city is built on steep hills and cobbles.
- Durham Castle tour slots are released about a month ahead and can sell out; tickets can also be bought on the day at Palace Green Library, subject to availability.
Questions about Durham station
How far is Durham Cathedral from the station?
Under half a mile as the crow flies, but the route goes downhill into town and back up onto the peninsula, so wear comfortable shoes.
Is Durham station step-free?
Yes. National Rail rates it step-free category A, with lifts from both platforms down to the connecting subway.
Is there parking at Durham station?
Yes, a 423-space car park run by LNER. The daily rate was £16 when checked in September 2026.
Can I get food and drink at the station?
Yes: there is a coffee shop, a WHSmith and a bar.
Is there left luggage at Durham station?
No, National Rail lists no luggage storage at the station.
How do I get to Beamish from Durham?
Beamish is about 8 miles from the station as the crow flies, so it is best reached by bus or car.
Sources we checked (September 2026)
We researched this page using the sources below. They are listed for transparency and are not links; always check official websites for the latest details.
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durham_railway_station
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durham,_England
- assets.ctfassets.net/mxack5k9p2sw/7jQOjS38muWdVQbPCRGxyV/809f4c4fe0a29fcd38233147ab0f48…
- durhamcathedral.co.uk/
- durham.ac.uk/things-to-do/venues/durham-castle/
- durham.ac.uk/things-to-do/venues/oriental-museum/
- durham.ac.uk/things-to-do/venues/botanic-garden/
- nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/crook-hall-gardens
- beamish.org.uk/
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durham_Cathedral
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durham_Castle
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durham_University_Botanic_Garden
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crook_Hall,_Durham
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beamish_Museum
- nationalrail.co.uk/stations/dhm/
- historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1161508
- historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1121344
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durham_Viaduct
- dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/usage/estimates-of-station-usage/
- durhammarkets.co.uk/
- durham-regatta.org.uk/
- durham-regatta.org.uk/about-us/our-story/
- newwritingnorth.com/durham-book-festival/
- nationalrail.co.uk/journey-planner/
Travelling to Durham?
Check live times and fares with LNER, or compare prices on Trip.com. Book early for the best chance of a cheaper Advance fare.