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.
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.
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.
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.

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. 
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! 


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. 

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. 
Whitby

Nissan Sunderland
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. 
Use your English
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.
Use your English
We'll arrange for you to have a walking tour with one of the city's guides.
Newcastle
Newcastle is a large cosmopolitain 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.
Intu Metrocentre
Intu Metrocentre is Europe's largest covered shopping centre, with over 300 shops and restaurants. 


Half-Day Trips
Our Social programme 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

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.
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
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. 
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. 
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. 
Whitby & Robin Hood's Bay
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 cosmopolitain  -   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
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Copyright © Durham School of English 2018  
               
Crossgate Centre, Durham City, DH1 4HF.  
Registered in England & Wales. 
Company No: 11362162
Copyright © Durham School of English 2022
           
Durham School of English