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Durham Cow Statue – Durham Castle loop from Durham

Routes

Running trails & routes

Durham Cow Statue – Durham Castle loop from Durham

Moderate

5.0

(3)

275

runners

Durham Cow Statue – Durham Castle loop from Durham

01:16

11.5km

160m

Running

Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: June 12, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Durham Castle and Cathedral WHS

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

2.39 km

View of Durham Cathedral and City from Pelaw Woods

Highlight • River

A fantastic view (bit of a climb to get there) of the Cathedral and City. Accessible from the River path along from Bath’s Bridge.

Tip by

3.58 km

Durham Cow Statue

Highlight • Historical Site

According to legend, Durham was built on the back of this cow.
The legend of the cow, the monks and the wandering milkmaid.
(apparently monks carrying St Cuthbert’s coffin bumped into a
milkmaid who was out looking for her lost cow. Thinking she was
a sign from above, they followed her and built the Cathedral on
the ground where she led them).
But the little girl on the cow’s back doesn’t care about any of that.
She climbs the battered rope of the cow’s spine. Her hands beat
sighs from its wan bronze sides. When she can’t go any further,
she sticks her head through the cow’s horns and stares at the sky.
The cow bears it. (And her feet – when she jumps off – in the
sockets of its eyes.) And the rain and the cricket. Its features are
drawn into a mask that suggest an ancient tribe. It looks odd
sitting out here, but no odder than the bandstand

(durham.gov.uk/media/3804/i-see-public-artwork-County-Durham/pdf/ISeePublicArtworkCountyDurham.pdf?m=636735642250730000)

Tip by

3.64 km

Durham Bandstand

Highlight • Monument

Pass the bandstand on the Riverside Walk

Tip by

4.75 km

Durham Castle

Highlight • Castle

Along with the magnificent cathedral, Durham Castle is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has been continuously occupied since its construction, which began in 1072 under the orders of William the Conqueror. Today it is part of the historic Durham University, the third oldest in Britain and a renowned centre of excellence.

Tip by

5.62 km

View of Durham Cathedral from Prebends Bridge

Highlight • Viewpoint

Glorious views of the River Wear and Durham Cathedral from Prebends Bridge, built 1772-1778

Tip by

6.30 km

Framwellgate Bridge and View of Durham Castle and Cathedral

Highlight • Viewpoint

A grade 1 listed medieval masonry arch bridge over the River Wear in Durham city centre. It was built in the early 1400s to replace the 12th century bridge. There are great views from the bridge of both the castle and the cathedral.

Tip by

6.48 km

Framwellgate Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

Framwellgate Bridge is a historic, Grade I listed medieval stone bridge over the River Wear in Durham.

Tip by

8.61 km

Bow Banks

Lake

10.3 km

Durham Amateur Rowing Club

Highlight • Rest Area

The club is situated at the City Boathouse on Green Lane in Old Elvet, with a scenic stretch of the river that meanders through the city.

Tip by

10.9 km

Sherburn Road nature area

Nature Reserve

11.5 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.53 km

4.33 km

860 m

836 m

559 m

267 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

7.28 km

1.83 km

975 m

681 m

366 m

204 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Thursday 25 June

29°C

17°C

79 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

February 22, 2024,Morgenrunde in Durham

And another little tour through and around Durham: a pretty, friendly little town that is definitely worth a visit. I wasn't aware that the area with the castle and cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the cathedral was also a filming location for some scenes in Harry Potter. Fortunately, the cathedral was open late the evening before: very …

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Durham Cow Statue – Durham Castle loop from Durham

View of Durham Cathedral and City from Pelaw Woods

Durham Cow Statue

Durham Bandstand

Durham Castle

View of Durham Cathedral from Prebends Bridge

Framwellgate Bridge and View of Durham Castle and Cathedral

Framwellgate Bridge

Durham Amateur Rowing Club

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