Attractions and Places To See around Belmont - Top 20

Belmont is rich in history, featuring several significant historical sites. You can visit Durham Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a history dating back to 1093, and its neighboring Durham Castle, continuously occupied since 1072. Another fascinating historical ruin is Finchale Priory, a 12th-century Benedictine priory nestled by the River Wear.

Yes, Belmont is home to a couple of interesting follies. The Penshaw Monument is a prominent 1844 folly built purely for decorative purposes, offering lovely views and access to its top via a spiral staircase. You can also discover The Count's House Folly, a former summer house from the 1820s, originally built by the Dean of Durham Cathedral.

The area around Belmont offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can find numerous routes for hiking, including easy riverside paths and moderate loops around historical sites like Durham Castle. For cyclists, there are dedicated road cycling routes and challenging mountain biking trails that explore the wider region.

Many of the attractions around Belmont are suitable for families. Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle offer engaging historical experiences. The Penshaw Monument, with its spiral staircase and scenic views, can also be an enjoyable outing for families.

While Belmont is known for its historical sites, you can also enjoy natural beauty. Finchale Priory is beautifully situated on the wooded banks of the River Wear, offering serene views. The area also features scenic countryside, visible from viewpoints like the Penshaw Monument.

Visitors frequently praise the remarkable architecture and historical significance of sites like Durham Cathedral, often noting its impressive scale and pioneering design. The peaceful atmosphere and lovely views from places like Penshaw Monument are also highly appreciated, as are the tranquil settings of ruins such as Finchale Priory.

Durham Castle has been continuously occupied since 1072 and is now part of Durham University, serving as student accommodation. Due to its use as a residence, opening times for public visits are limited. It's advisable to check in advance for tour availability to glimpse its interior and the historic Great Hall.

Absolutely. The most prominent is Durham Cathedral, a magnificent Romanesque monastic cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can also explore the ruins of Finchale Priory, a 12th-century Benedictine priory that served as an outpost and holiday retreat for Durham's monks.

For panoramic views, head to the Penshaw Monument. From its elevated position, you can enjoy lovely vistas across the surrounding countryside. The area around Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle, perched on a towering rock, also offers impressive perspectives of the city and the River Wear.

Durham Cathedral is renowned for its Romanesque architecture. Constructed between 1093 and 1133, its large-scale, stone-vaulted ceiling was an impressive and pioneering feat for its time, setting a blueprint for European architecture. It remains a functioning establishment and is considered one of the world's greatest cathedrals.

Yes, there are easy walking options available. For example, the 'Riverside Path – Belmont Railway Viaduct loop' is an easy 5.47 km route that allows you to enjoy the natural surroundings. You can find more details and other easy routes in the Hiking around Belmont guide.

For those seeking more challenging adventures, the area offers several options. Mountain bikers can tackle difficult routes like the 'Cycle Path to Lanchester – Deerness Valley Way loop,' which spans over 82 km. Explore the MTB Trails around Belmont guide for more demanding routes.