Durham Cathedral is perhaps the finest Norman building in England, its dramatic position on a rocky peninsula above the River Wear creating one of Britain's most spectacular cityscapes. The cathedral houses the shrine of St Cuthbert and the Venerable Bede, while Durham Castle completes the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ancient university, England's third oldest, occupies historic buildings throughout the compact city centre. Riverside walks, a rare collection of medieval buildings on the Bailey, and proximity to beautiful countryside complete Durham's appeal.