Premier Inn Durham

Durham's rich cultural attractions and exquisite buildings make it one of England's most popular cities, drawing in hundreds of thousands of tourists each year.

Premier Inn offers Durham hotels that are located in the bustling heart of the city, just a short walk from parts of the picturesque university campus.

Durham is famous for its cathedral and historic castle, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Durham Cathedral is one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Europe and attracts visitors from all over the world. The city is also known for its prestigious university, riverside setting and cobbled streets full of character.  

Durham is best known for its cathedral and castle, which dominate the city skyline and sit dramatically on a rocky hill surrounded by a loop in the River Wear. It’s also well known for Durham University, one of the oldest and most prestigious in the UK. The city blends medieval history with a lively, modern feel, thanks to its student population, cultural events and local markets. The Durham Miners' Gala, a huge celebration of the region’s coal mining heritage, also adds to its cultural significance. 

If you love Durham, you might also enjoy other historic university cities like Oxford and Cambridge, which share a similar mix of academic prestige, architecture and riverside walks. York is another great comparison, with its medieval streets and historic cathedral. Smaller towns like Chester or St Andrews also offer a similar blend of compact city centres, rich history and scenic surroundings. 

One of the main reasons tourists book hotels in Durham is to visit the resplendent Cathedral, which is located next to the Palace Green and is one of the best surviving examples of Romanesque architecture in Britain.

Durham Castle is also situated just across the square from the Cathedral, both of which are UNESCO sites. The imposing castle, which was first constructed during the Norman era, is hugely popular with locals and visitors alike.

The city is also home to a compact yet vibrant city centre which has a fashionable network of stylish cafes and celebrated restaurants.

Durham’s city centre is a great spot with loads to see and do. Check out Durham Cathedral and Castle, visit some cool museums or take a walk along the pretty River Wear. There are plenty of shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants to explore, plus a fun nightlife scene with live music thanks to the university crowd. Throughout the year, there’s always something happening, like festivals, markets and events that keep the city buzzing. It’s the perfect place for history lovers, foodies and shoppers. 

Start your day at Durham Cathedral—you can explore the main building for free and climb the central tower for panoramic views. Right next door is Durham Castle, which offers guided tours. From there, enjoy a stroll along the River Wear, maybe crossing one of the pretty bridges for great photo spots. Stop for lunch in the historic market square or one of the riverside cafés. In the afternoon, you could visit the Oriental Museum or Botanic Garden, both run by Durham University. End your day browsing independent shops or relaxing in a cosy pub. 

There’s plenty to enjoy in Durham without spending a penny! You can visit Durham Cathedral, including its stunning cloisters (used in the Harry Potter films), and wander around Palace Green. Take a walk along the River Wear, through Wharton Park or along the Durham Heritage Coast if you’re up for a short drive. The Botanic Garden offers free entry on certain days and the Durham University Museums often have free exhibitions.  

Durham is a compact and walkable city, so most of the main sights are easy to explore on foot. The city centre is mostly pedestrian-friendly with well-marked walking routes. There are also local buses and park-and-ride services if you're coming from outside the centre. For attractions a little further out, such as the Botanic Garden or university museums, buses and taxis are readily available. The train station is just a short walk or quick taxi ride from the city centre. 

Flex – Pay now or on arrival, fully refundable with free cancellation up to 1pm on the day of arrival. Our most flexible rate – you can cancel and get a full refund up to 1pm on the day of arrival. You can also amend your booking at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Semi-Flex – Pay now, fully refundable with free cancellation up to three full days before arrival. Fairly flexible rate – you can cancel and get a full refund up to three full days before arrival. No refunds after that date. You can also amend your booking date at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Advance – Pay now, fully refundable with free cancellation up to 28 full days before arrival, free to amend thereafter until the day of arrival. Fairly flexible rate – you can cancel and get a full refund up to 28 full days before arrival. No refunds after that date. You can also amend your booking date at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Standard – Pay now, non-refundable. Free to amend booking at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival. Slightly flexible rate – you won’t be able to cancel and get a full refund, but you can amend your booking at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Non-Flex – Pay now. No amends or refunds. Our least flexible rate – you won’t be able to cancel or amend your stay after booking.

Our standard check-in time is 3pm. For an additional fee*, you can start your stay sooner with early check-in from 11am. Add early check-in to your stay while making your booking, or afterwards by managing your stay in your Premier Inn account. Early check-in is subject to availability and not available at all Premier Inn hotels. 

Checkout is by 12 noon on your departure date. If luggage storage is available, our teams will be happy to store any bags for you if you’d like to check out before 12pm.

*Prices and times will vary depending on date and location. 

For an additional fee*, you can start your stay sooner with early check-in from 11am. Add early check-in to your stay while making your booking, or afterwards by managing your stay in your Premier Inn account. Early check-in is subject to availability and not available at all Premier Inn hotels. 

*Prices and times will vary depending on date and location. 

In 2020 we launched Premier Inn CleanProtect™, our rigorous, daily cleaning method that’s used throughout our UK & Ireland hotels. Developed in partnership with Diversey, a global leader in cleaning and hygiene products for the healthcare and hospitality industries, our promise seeks to give you extra peace of mind so you can always book and stay with confidence.

Check-in - minimising contact at reception and providing hand sanitiser in most public areas for peace of mind. 

Bed linen and towels - laundering all our linen and towels at over 60°C to thermally disinfect them, so you can enjoy a great night’s sleep. We’ve also placed spare pillows in a zip-up bag, for extra peace of mind.

Equipping our teams - providing our team members with all the equipment and sanitisers they need, as well as always operating in the safest way possible for our teams and guests.

A generous serving of safety - you can relax knowing that enhanced cleaning measures are in place throughout our restaurants. Tables are cleaned between visits and contactless payment is in place too, so you can dine safely and comfortably with us every time.

Clean on request - if you'd like your room cleaned during your stay with us, just let us know at reception and use the handy door hanger on the back of your door by 12pm each day.

Most Premier Inns have specially-adapted rooms allowing easier access for customers with disabilities. If there is no specially-adapted room available at the hotel of your choice, we will be happy to offer you alternative accommodation at a nearby Premier Inn. If you have difficulty walking, but do not need a specially-adapted room, please feel free to request a room near reception on the ground floor for easy access. 

If you'd like get in touch, you can reach out to our specialist team via email at pi.accessible@whitbread.com or call us on 0333 0919 817 between 9am and 5pm Monday-Friday (calls charged at local rate).

Unfortunately, with the exception of trained assistance dogs, we don't allow pets to stay at our hotels.