Durham City, dominted by Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral, is a World Heritage Site in County Durham.

Prebends Bridge, to the south of Durham City Cathedral, has a plaque to display Sir Walter Scott’s words about Durham

Grey Towers of Durham

Yet well I love thy mixed and massive piles

Half Church of God half castle ‘gainst the Scot

And long to roam the venerable aisles

With records stored of deeds long since forgotten

Great North Air Ambulance, Durham City Cathedral

View of the River Wear from Prebends Bridge. Prebends Bridge was designed by George Nicholson to replace a temporary bridge built after the footbridge, built in 1574, was swept away during a flood in 1771.

Durham Cathedrlal

One of the four covered alleys called ‘ranges’ around the Cloister, Durham Cathedral. There are a number of entrances and exits to and from the Cloister. This one in the north east corner is known as the Prior’s Door.

Belltower, Durham Cathedral

Looking through a spyhole from up in the belltower down into Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral bells

View from the belltower, Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral

Victorian Postbox

Victorian Postbox with Durham City Cathedral

The Benedictine Rule and the Monastic Way of Life

Western monastic life  began with St Benedict (480-547). Benedict wrote a Rule to guide a monk’s life of prayer and work. In 1083, Bishop William of St Calais converted St Cuthbert’s community in Durham into a Benedictine monastery. The Rule of St Benedict guided the life of Durham Cathedral Priory until the Reformation, and continues to influence Cathedral life today.

Monastic life was a balance of continual prayer, work, study and rest. Monks lived simply and concentrated on working for God.

There were usually about 40 monks at Durham. They had to support themselves and lay workers by working the land.

Hospitality was important and guests were welcomed as though they were Christ himself.