Our Social programme is part of our intensive general English course in August. It is another chance to use your English outside the classroom. We have tried to include a range of places so that you can get a real feel for the culture and history of the area.
Sightseeing
York
York is a walled city to the south of Durham with a fascinating history. Two of its most famous attractions are York Minster and the Shambles. The Shambles is over 900 years old and is one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe. You will be able to stop in at one of the Shambles’ many cheerful cafes or have a look through the shops, which sell everything from fine china to handcrafted souvenirs.
York Minster is the largest medieval gothic cathedral in northern Europe, and contains some of the country’s oldest and finest stained class, dating back 800 years.
York is a walled city to the south of Durham with a fascinating history. Two of its most famous attractions are York Minster and the Shambles. The Shambles is over 900 years old and is one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe. You will be able to stop in at one of the Shambles’ many cheerful cafes or have a look through the shops, which sell everything from fine china to handcrafted souvenirs.
York Minster is the largest medieval gothic cathedral in northern Europe, and contains some of the country’s oldest and finest stained class, dating back 800 years.
Use your English
We use the services of one of the city's tour guides. At each stop on the tour, you'll have a chance to listen to a brief explanation before asking your questions.
We use the services of one of the city's tour guides. At each stop on the tour, you'll have a chance to listen to a brief explanation before asking your questions.
York Minster
The Shambles
Full-Day Trips
Use your English
Beamish is not like a normal museum. There are no glass cases or labels. In each building there are local people in traditional clothes waiting to answer your questions.
Beamish is not like a normal museum. There are no glass cases or labels. In each building there are local people in traditional clothes waiting to answer your questions.
Alnwick Castle
Alnwick castle is a spectacular medieval castle in the heart of Northumberland (a county to the north of Durham). It has been used as a backdrop for a number of Hollywood films, notably Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (it was where Harry learnt to use a broomstick) and Robin Hood:Price of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner.
Alnwick castle is a spectacular medieval castle in the heart of Northumberland (a county to the north of Durham). It has been used as a backdrop for a number of Hollywood films, notably Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (it was where Harry learnt to use a broomstick) and Robin Hood:Price of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner.
Use your English
The staff in Alnwick Castle are very knowledgeable of what life was like in medieval times. You could even ask what it was like when they filmed Harry Potter.
The staff in Alnwick Castle are very knowledgeable of what life was like in medieval times. You could even ask what it was like when they filmed Harry Potter.
Beamish
Beamish is the largest open-air museum in England, and has won a number of awards, including European Museum of the Year. The museum lets you discover what life was like in the north east of England 100 years ago, at the height of the industrial revolution. On the huge site (300 acres) there are a variety of period buildings that you can walk in and out of. You’ll be able to go inside period shops, period cottages, a typical school from a hundred years ago, a chapel and even a dentist!
Beamish is the largest open-air museum in England, and has won a number of awards, including European Museum of the Year. The museum lets you discover what life was like in the north east of England 100 years ago, at the height of the industrial revolution. On the huge site (300 acres) there are a variety of period buildings that you can walk in and out of. You’ll be able to go inside period shops, period cottages, a typical school from a hundred years ago, a chapel and even a dentist!
Traditional Shop
Harry Potter
Alnwick Castle
Whitby & Robin Hood's Bay
Whitby is a coastal town known for its fish and chips and its connection with Dracula. The author of Dracula, Bram Stoker, started writing his novel whilst on holiday in Whitby, and some of the novel's most dramatic scenes were inspired by the town.
Robin Hood's Bay is located a short distance along the coast from Whitby. It's a beautiful little fishing village that seems to have been untouched by time.
Whitby is a coastal town known for its fish and chips and its connection with Dracula. The author of Dracula, Bram Stoker, started writing his novel whilst on holiday in Whitby, and some of the novel's most dramatic scenes were inspired by the town.
Robin Hood's Bay is located a short distance along the coast from Whitby. It's a beautiful little fishing village that seems to have been untouched by time.
Use your English
In Robin Hood's Bay you'll visit a local museum to learn about what life used to be like in a fishing village.
In Robin Hood's Bay you'll visit a local museum to learn about what life used to be like in a fishing village.
Whitby
Nissan Sunderland
Nissan Sunderland is one of the biggest car factories in the UK, producing almost 520 000 cars a year.
Nissan Sunderland is one of the biggest car factories in the UK, producing almost 520 000 cars a year.
Durham Cathedral
Durham Cathedral was founded over 900 years ago. It is an important visitor attraction, as well as a place of worship.
Durham Cathedral was founded over 900 years ago. It is an important visitor attraction, as well as a place of worship.
Use your English
We'll arrange for you to speak to one of the cathedral's guides.
We'll arrange for you to speak to one of the cathedral's guides.
* This trip is dependent upon availability, and may be replaced with a similar trip.
Use your English
We'll join one of the factory's guided tours.
Watch how a modern car is built from start to finish.
We'll join one of the factory's guided tours.
Watch how a modern car is built from start to finish.
Use your English
We'll arrange for you to have a walking tour with one of the city's guides.
We'll arrange for you to have a walking tour with one of the city's guides.
Newcastle
Newcastle is a large cosmopolitan city. It's famous for its football team, its industrial past and its beautiful architecture.
Newcastle is a large cosmopolitan city. It's famous for its football team, its industrial past and its beautiful architecture.
* This trip is dependent upon availability, and may be replaced with a similar trip.
Use your English
You'll begin your trip by meeting one of the centre's managerial staff. Find out about the building of the shopping centre and how it has developed.
You'll begin your trip by meeting one of the centre's managerial staff. Find out about the building of the shopping centre and how it has developed.
Intu Metrocentre
Intu Metrocentre is Europe's largest covered shopping centre, with over 300 shops and restaurants.
Intu Metrocentre is Europe's largest covered shopping centre, with over 300 shops and restaurants.
Half-Day Trips
Page Glossary
| huge - extremely large in size | anticipate - to think that something will probably happen |
| height of - the time or level of greatest activity | centred around - if something centres around someone or something, or if you centre something around them, they are its main subject of attention or interest |
| industrial revolution - the period when machines began to be used for producing goods and many new industries developed | architecture - a particular style or way of designing buildings |
| variety - a collection or number of people, things, ideas etc that are all different from one another | cosmopolitan - used about a place where people from many different countries and cultures live |
| period - typical of a particular historical time | founded - to start building a new town, or forming a new community |
| label - a piece of paper or material fastened to an object that gives information about it | china - a thin hard clay used for making plates, cups etc |
| spectacular - extremely impressive | handcrafted - made by a person, not by a machine, and usually made with great skill |
| backdrop - the situation or place in which something happens | souvenir - something that you buy during a holiday or at a special event to remind you later of being there |
| knowledgeable - knowing a lot about many different subjects or about one particular subject | medieval - relating to the period of European history between about the year 500 AD and the year 1500 AD |
| dramatic - exciting and impressive | gothic - Gothic styles of building and art were common in Europe between the 12th and 15th centuries |
| inspired - very special or impressive | stained glass - glass that has been coloured or painted, traditionally used in church windows |
| preview - something that gives an idea of what a future event will be like | walled city - a city surrounded by a wall |
| fascinating - making you very interested or attracted | attraction - somewhere or something you can visit that is interesting or enjoyable |
| preserved - in good condition for its age | cheerful - making you feel happy because of being pleasant or enjoyable |
| worship - the activity of showing respect and love for a god, for example by singing or praying |
Crossgate Centre, Crossgate, Durham City, DH1 4HF. Registered in England & Wales. Company No: 11362162
Copyright © Durham School of English 2018
Copyright © Durham School of English 2018
Sightseeing
Our Social programme is part of our intensive general English course. It is another chance to use your English outside the classroom. We have tried to include a range of places so that you can get a real feel for the culture and history of the area.
The Shambles
York Minster
Full-Day Trips
York is a walled city to the south of Durham with a fascinating history. Two of its most famous attractions are York Minster and the Shambles.
Use your English
We use the services of one of the city's tour guides. At each stop on the tour, you'll have a chance to listen to a brief explanation before asking your questions.
We use the services of one of the city's tour guides. At each stop on the tour, you'll have a chance to listen to a brief explanation before asking your questions.
York
Traditional Shop
Beamish is the largest open-air museum in England, and has won a number of awards, including European Museum of the Year. The museum lets you discover what life was like in the north east of England 100 years ago, at the height of the industrial revolution.
Use your English
Beamish is not like a normal museum. There are no glass cases or labels. In each building there are local people in traditional clothes waiting to answer your questions.
Beamish is not like a normal museum. There are no glass cases or labels. In each building there are local people in traditional clothes waiting to answer your questions.
Beamish
Harry Potter
Alnwick Castle
Alnwick castle is a spectacular medieval castle in the heart of Northumberland (a county to the north of Durham). It has been used as a backdrop for a number of Hollywood films, notably Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
Use your English
The staff in Alnwick Castle are very knowledgeable of what life was like in medieval times. You could even ask what it was like when they filmed Harry Potter.
The staff in Alnwick Castle are very knowledgeable of what life was like in medieval times. You could even ask what it was like when they filmed Harry Potter.
Alnwick Castle
Whitby
Whitby is a coastal town known for its fish and chips and its connection with Dracula. The author of Dracula, Bram Stoker, started writing his novel whilst on holiday in Whitby, and some of the novel's most dramatic scenes were inspired by the town.
Robin Hood's Bay is located a short distance along the coast from Whitby. It's a beautiful little fishing village that seems to have been untouched by time.
Robin Hood's Bay is located a short distance along the coast from Whitby. It's a beautiful little fishing village that seems to have been untouched by time.
Use your English
In Robin Hood's Bay you'll visit a local museum to learn about what life used to be like in a fishing village.
In Robin Hood's Bay you'll visit a local museum to learn about what life used to be like in a fishing village.
Whitby & Robin Hood's Bay
Durham School of English
Innovative English Language Teaching
