Durham Cathedral

After lunch, we headed for the cathedral. It purports to be free to go in, but the way the entrance is configured and the large signs about a suggested donation, along with vocal staff positioned behind tills, make it almost impossible not to pay! Not that we mind paying to visit such a magnificent building.

The very existence of a cathedral on this site is credited to Saint Cuthbert. He was born in North Northumberland in the 630s into a relatively wealthy family. He trained as a warrior and was educated and raised as a Christian. In his teens, he had a vision of a bishop to heaven. This moved him to become a monk. He served as a monk for 15 years before becoming the prior of Lindisfarne, Holy Island. Later, he reluctantly took on the role of bishop. When he retired, he became a hermit on Inner Farne island. He performed many miracles during his life.

After Cuthbert's death in 687, his miracles continued. 11 years later, monks opened his tomb to rearrange his bones and relics. Rather than the skeleton they expected to see, they found Cuthbert's complete body. It showed no signs of degradation. He was lying as if sleeping. His position as a saint was confirmed.

When the monks on Lindisfarne were chased away by invading Vikings, they fled to Durham, taking Cuthbert with them. They established the first church there - a simple wooden building. In 1093, it was replaced by the Norman cathedral we see today.Read more