Orientation

Durham is small, condensed, and easily traveled by foot, though travelers with backpacks may curse the steep hills of its cobblestone streets. Durham Cathedral dominates the city skyline and serves as a good orientation point. On both sides, ancient and modern footbridges connect the shores of the River Wear, while quaint walking paths along the water provide pedestrians with a peaceful place to introduce oneself to the town. Durham’s medieval street fare, however, wasn’t designed for massive traffic jams of the 20th century, and after many an accident, Durham became the first city in England to have a congestion charge (£2 pounds when you leave the city center during daytime hours). Saddler Street is Durham’s main downtown shopping and restaurant thoroughfare. Note the theater references (read: Shakespeare’s Pub), as the city’s main theater used to be located here. Also look out for a plaque marking the home of Mrs. Clements, the first person to grind mustard seeds and the founder of Durham mustard (apparently, King George II was quite a fan of this locally-produced condiment).