Durham had been on my list of sites to see soon for some time and in March 2009 I finally managed to arrange a work trip that enabled me to see it.

I have to say I am in agreement with most of the other reviewers on this page, Durham really is a lovely place to visit. I got my first view in the morning as my train travelled across the viaduct. It was quite a surprise just how impressive an entrance to the city this was, certainly one of England's finest urban views.

I managed to get back in the afternoon to explore the city on foot. The town centre is a nice maze of winding roads and narrow alleyways. The approach up to the Cathedral green was particularly nice.

I was very lucky as when I went into the cathedral there was a choir practice being conducted, this really added to the atmosphere. I must admit to sometimes having cathedral fatigue as collecting World Heritage Sites takes you to a lot. However I really enjoyed visiting the interior, it was not particularly busy and also it was free to enter, a bit of a rarity in England. The famous columns with diagonal patterning were very impressive. Also it is well worth heading through the cloister to the bookshop and restaurant, which are housed, in some fine outbuildings.

Alas, the castle was closed for a special event when I visited, it did look impressive but I am not sure I would have ventured in had I had the option. I just enjoyed the views of it from the river.

I visited after a meeting in Newcastle (about 15 minutes by train), which I was particularly impressed with. If you are in the area it seems like a great place to be based. I should hopefully be back up there to visit Hadrian's Wall, and certainly would have no qualms about going back to Durham to explore a little more of one of England's most charming cities. A very worthy World Heritage Site.