Independent in Durham from AU$71

The best area to stay in Durham is the city centre, particularly around Durham Cathedral and Castle.


This central area is the heart of Durham, located in a loop of the River Wear. It's incredibly walkable, with cobbled streets leading up to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Cathedral and Castle. You'll find a good selection of shops, restaurants, and traditional pubs along the bustling streets like Silver Street and Saddler Street.


For couples seeking a romantic and historical getaway, staying within the city centre offers unparalleled convenience. You're just a short stroll from the magnificent Durham Cathedral, superb for exploring its architecture and history, and the historic Durham Castle. Evenings can be spent enjoying a meal at a riverside restaurant or a quiet drink in a historic pub.


Solo travellers will also appreciate the city centre for its accessibility and the sheer number of things to see and do within a compact area.

Two of the best hotels in Durham that receive consistently high recommendations from travellers are the Delta Hotels Durham Royal County and 40 Winks.


The Delta Hotels Durham Royal County, with an excellent 9.0 rating, is praised for its comfortable and clean rooms. Guests frequently highlight its excellent location in a historical district, close to the Durham Indoor Market and Durham Heritage Centre and Museum. The hotel also features a river view, air conditioning, and premium bedding with Egyptian cotton sheets.


Another highly recommended option is 40 Winks, a hotel with an outstanding 10.0 rating. Guests often comment on its gorgeous rooms and friendly staff. It offers unique amenities such as a deep soaking bathtub, a hosted evening meal daily, and a private chef. The hotel also provides a free pickup service from the train station.

For family-friendly accommodation in Durham, consider the Delta Hotels Durham Royal County, the Radisson BLU Hotel Durham, or 61 Durham.


The Delta Hotels Durham Royal County, with an excellent 9.0 rating, is well-suited for families. It offers TravelCribs, kids' meals, and connecting rooms, providing convenience and flexibility. Guests consistently praise its comfortable rooms, excellent location, and delicious breakfast. It is very close to Durham Indoor Market and Durham Heritage Centre and Museum, both within 0.3 km.


Another great option is the Radisson BLU Hotel Durham, rated 8.6. This hotel provides kids' meals, sofa beds, connecting rooms, and free cribs, along with an indoor pool for family enjoyment. Reviewers frequently mention the excellent rooms and friendly staff. It is conveniently located near Durham Indoor Market, 0.4 km away, and Crook Hall and Gardens, 0.3 km away.


The 61 Durham, with a rating of 8.6, also caters to families with features like child-friendly window design and free cribs. Guests appreciate the cosy rooms and excellent breakfast. Find more child-friendly accommodations in Durham

For excellent spa hotels in Durham, consider the Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa, Hotel Bannatyne Durham, and Radisson BLU Hotel Durham.


The Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa, with an 8.6 rating, offers an extensive range of treatments including body scrubs, Thai massage, hot stone massage, deep tissue massage, aromatherapy, and Swedish massage. Guests frequently praise its excellent spa facilities and comfortable rooms.


Another great option is the Hotel Bannatyne Durham, rated 8.0. This hotel provides various body treatments, Swedish massage, facials, and manicures. Reviewers often highlight its clean, spacious rooms and convenient, quiet location.


The Radisson BLU Hotel Durham, also rated 8.6, features a full-service spa with detoxification wraps, deep tissue massage, and a steam room and sauna. It is exceptionally well-located, being just 0.7 km from Durham Cathedral and 0.5 km from Durham Castle. Guests appreciate the comfortable rooms and excellent facilities. See all spa hotels in Durham

For hotels in Durham that offer complimentary breakfast, consider The Three Horseshoes, The Old Mill, The Kingslodge Inn - The Inn Collection Group, and OYO The Townhouse.


The Three Horseshoes, boasting an excellent 9.6 rating, provides free cooked breakfast and self-parking, with guests frequently praising the comfortable, clean rooms and fantastic food.


Another excellent choice is The Old Mill, rated 9.4, which also offers free cooked breakfast and self-parking. Guests consistently highlight the comfortable rooms, friendly staff, and delicious food.


The Kingslodge Inn - The Inn Collection Group, with a 9.0 rating, includes a a free English breakfast and free self-parking. It is conveniently located near attractions such as the Durham Indoor Market (0.7 km) and Durham Cathedral (0.8 km). Guests often praise the excellent breakfast and comfortable rooms.


OYO The Townhouse, a hotel rated 8.4, provides both free breakfast and a free English breakfast. It is well-situated, being only 0.5 km from Durham Indoor Market and Durham Cathedral. Find more hotels with breakfast in Durham

For top pet-friendly hotels in Durham, consider the Farnley Tower Guesthouse, Delta Hotels Durham Royal County, Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa, The Kingslodge Inn - The Inn Collection Group, and Honest Lawyer Hotel.


The Farnley Tower Guesthouse, with an excellent 9.4 rating, is a great option for those travelling with dogs, offering food and water bowls, free self-parking, and complimentary toiletries. It is conveniently located near Durham Indoor Market and Durham Heritage Centre and Museum, both just 1.0 km away. Guests frequently praise the comfortable rooms and excellent staff.


Another superb choice is the Delta Hotels Durham Royal County, rated 9.0. This hotel is also dog-friendly, providing food and water bowls, and is set within a historical district in a Victorian property. It's very close to Durham Indoor Market and Durham Heritage Centre and Museum, both 0.3 km away. Guests highlight the comfortable rooms and the excellent location.


The Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa, with an 8.6 rating, welcomes dogs and even allows pets to stay free. This hotel boasts a full-service spa with various treatments, including deep tissue massage, aromatherapy, and body wraps. It is located 1.8 km from Adventure Valley. Customers frequently mention the nice rooms and excellent spa facilities.


The Kingslodge Inn - The Inn Collection Group, rated 9.0, is another pet-friendly establishment that offers early check-in. It is situated 0.7 km from Durham Indoor Market and 0.9 km from Crook Hall and Gardens. Reviewers often praise the comfortable rooms and friendly staff.


Finally, the Honest Lawyer Hotel, with an 8.4 rating, is a pet-friendly choice that provides food and water bowls for dogs and offers a free crib and a playground for children. Guests often note the friendly staff and super clean rooms. See more pet-friendly hotels in Durham

For excellent budget hotels in Durham, consider The Kingslodge Inn - The Inn Collection Group, Super 8 by Wyndham Durham, Hotel Bannatyne Durham, The Avenue, and 40 Winks.


The Kingslodge Inn - The Inn Collection Group, with a 9.0 rating, offers comfortable, clean rooms and excellent, friendly staff. Guests particularly enjoy the delicious food and great breakfast, which is provided free of charge, along with free parking and toiletries. It is conveniently located near Durham Indoor Market (0.7 km), Durham Cathedral (0.8 km), and Crook Hall and Gardens (0.9 km).


Another great choice is the Super 8 by Wyndham Durham, rated 9.2. This hotel provides modern, clean rooms and features friendly, lovely staff. Guests praise the lovely breakfast with plenty of choice, as well as the amazing food. Free WiFi and free parking are also provided.


The Hotel Bannatyne Durham, with an 8.0 rating, offers clean, big rooms and brilliant, helpful staff. Its convenient and quiet location is appreciated, as is the easy, good parking. This hotel also features a full-service spa with various treatments available, including body wraps, massages, and facials.


The Avenue, a hotel with an 8.8 rating, receives high marks for its friendly, amazing staff and fantastic breakfast. Guests also highlight the great food and lovely rooms. It provides free parking nearby and free wired internet in public areas. Nearby attractions include Durham Cathedral (0.7 km) and Durham Indoor Market (0.9 km).


Finally, 40 Winks, a hotel with a superb 10.0 rating, offers gorgeous rooms and friendly staff. This hotel provides free WiFi, a hosted evening meal daily, and a private chef. It is also very close to Durham Cathedral (0.3 km) and Durham Indoor Market (0.5 km), and offers free train station pickup and drop-off. View all budget hotels in Durham

For romantic hotels in Durham for couples, consider the Delta Hotels Durham Royal County or the Radisson BLU Hotel Durham.


The Delta Hotels Durham Royal County, with an excellent 9.0 rating, is set in a Victorian property with a historical design and offers lovely river views. Guests frequently mention the comfortable and clean rooms, along with the excellent location, with Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle just a short walk away. The hotel also features Egyptian cotton sheets and premium bedding for a luxurious stay.


Another excellent choice is the Radisson BLU Hotel Durham, rated 8.6. This hotel also boasts river views and provides a full-service spa with a steam room and sauna, superb for a relaxing couples' retreat. It is conveniently located near points of interest such as Durham Cathedral, which is 0.7 km away, and Durham Castle, 0.5 km away. Guests often praise the comfortable rooms and excellent staff. See all romantic hotels in Durham

For hotels in Durham near Palace Green, consider the Hotel Indigo Durham by IHG and the Delta Hotels Durham Royal County.


The Hotel Indigo Durham by IHG boasts an exceptional 9.4 rating and is top by guests for its friendly and helpful staff, gorgeous rooms, and excellent breakfast. It's conveniently located, with Durham Heritage Centre and Museum just 0.3 km away and Durham Indoor Market 0.4 km away. This hotel offers child-friendly window design, free cribs, and connecting rooms, making it suitable for families. Guests also appreciate the free toiletries and complimentary WiFi.


Another excellent option is the Delta Hotels Durham Royal County, which has a 9.0 rating. Guests frequently praise its comfortable and clean rooms, excellent location, and friendly staff. It's very close to Durham Indoor Market and Durham Heritage Centre and Museum, both just 0.3 km away. This hotel is also family-friendly, offering travel cribs and kids' meals, and is located within a historical district.

The best time to go to Durham is during the late spring and summer months, from May to September, when the weather is generally mild and there are many events taking place.


These months offer the most comfortable temperatures for exploring the city's attractions like Durham Cathedral and Castle, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The days are longer, allowing for more sightseeing and enjoyment of the city's riverside walks along the Wear.


For those who enjoy outdoor activities and cultural events, June and July are particularly good. You might catch the Durham Regatta, one of the oldest rowing events in the country, or the Durham Miners' Gala, a significant cultural gathering. These events add a unique local flavour to your visit.


If you prefer fewer crowds and don't mind slightly cooler weather, May and September can be excellent choices. The city is still beautiful, and you'll find it easier to book accommodations and restaurant reservations.

Durham's nightlife mainly centres around its city centre, offering a mix of traditional pubs, modern bars, and student-focused venues.


The area around North Road and Claypath is particularly busy. You'll find a concentration of pubs and bars here, many of which are popular with the student population. There are some venues offering live music and others with dance floors.


Around the Market Place and the surrounding streets, you'll discover a selection of traditional pubs serving real ales and more contemporary bars offering cocktails. This area tends to draw a slightly older crowd than the North Road vicinity.


For a more relaxed evening, the area around the riverside, particularly near the Milburngate development, has a few establishments with outdoor seating.

You can cancel your hotel reservation on Expedia, though it depends on the cancellation policy of your booking. Most bookings are refundable if cancelled within 24-48 hours of the scheduled arrival. Be sure to check your booking confirmation for the exact cancellation policy. If free cancellation is available, you can cancel directly through your Expedia account by logging in, going to "My Trips", and selecting your reservation. To find flexible deals, filter your search by "Fully refundable property" for hotels in Durham.

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Prices for hotels in Durham often vary, but you can find a great deal from AU$71 on Expedia. All sorts of factors affect price, such as the time of year or the days of the week you choose for your stay. Find the best deals by being flexible with your dates, and sort search results by "Price: low to high" for our cheapest rates.