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Durham Cathedral university end of year concert

Updated:
I’m a little late but we returned from our trip and did attend the concert. The concert was exceptional and all the advice was perfect. Easy train ride to Durham from York and had a nice time exploring the Cathedral and surrounding area before the concert. We took the second to last train back to York which was almost empty. I would highly recommend the University end of year concert. Thanks!

We are in our final stages of planning for our upcoming UK trip next month. We received many helpful suggestions already from the forum and are looking for some more advice. We will be starting in York on June 3 and are planning a day trip to Durham on Friday June 6. The university is having their end of year concert in the Cathedral that night at 7:30-10:00pm. We really enjoy these types of events. In looking at return train tickets to purchase there is a 10:14 pm (would have to leave the concert a little early) or a 11:08 pm. These would get us back to York around 11 pm or midnight.

For some reason this is giving me a little feeling of stress, maybe just because it’s our first trip to the UK. From what I’ve been able to find I’d expect both these rail stations to be quite busy on a Friday night in June. The train tickets will have assigned seats so that shouldn’t be an issue and we don’t have any safety concerns.

So logistically is there any reason we shouldn’t go to the concert?

Posted by
628 posts

Can you identify the source of your stress?
If it were me, I might stress about the 11.08 train being the last one!
There would be no problem about slipping out early if you wanted to get the 10.14 - and the concert may, of course end a bit earlier.
I regularly take part in concerts, and 2.5 hours is actually quite long.

Posted by
80 posts

Thanks for the replies. I did see the 14 minute walking route which is what we were planning on but didn’t think about doing it in the dark so the sidewalk would be better. We walk a lot so that part shouldn’t be an issue. My guess about the stress is probably just about taking the last train in an unfamiliar area and also arriving back so late after only being in York for a couple of days.

Posted by
10681 posts

The thing about the 11.08 is that if it's cancelled LNER have to provide a taxi for you to York,
Like any student city I imagine it will be very lively. Last week I took two different sidewalk routes to and from the Cathedral . If either route takes you along the river please dont. That river has claimed too many lives over the years, usually late at night.
Personally I'd be stunned if the taxi drivers were not swarming round the Cathedral, and would take the last train.

Posted by
1894 posts

It’s not dangerous to walk around Durham at night so I’d just take the shortest walking route. Get the earlier train. Last trains on a Friday night have a reputation for being a bit boisterous. It will be coming from Newcastle which is known for its nightlife.

Posted by
80 posts

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I think we are going to do the concert and plan on taking the earlier train. If the concert doesn’t end in time and we have to slip out a bit early that’s okay. I also like the idea of getting back to our B&B in York before midnight.

Posted by
9889 posts

If you stay in Durham check out Ye Olde Elm Tree pub. I stayed close by and enjoyed this pub. Nice patrons. Also as a former film and tv location scout was bemused when it was used in a favorite Brit Tv show ( featuring the great Martin Shaw ) Inspector George Gently . The hotel next door was featured as a brothel.

I chose to visit Durham because of a scene of Inspector Gently on a bridge with Durham Castle in the back ground. It’s Prebends Bridge. The ending scene of the episode is in the Cathedral and I wanted to know how permission was granted to allow gunfire.

I contacted the area’s film liason and told her I was writing an article for the LMGI’s Compass Magazine
( I was ). Great tour of the Castle and grounds.

Durham is indeed hilly but a pleasant town to explore. I stayed in a no longer available BnB.
The river path is pleasant. Nice Farmers Market on Saturdays.

Lastly if anyone is seeking a British cop show to enjoy try Inspector George Gently. Was on for 8 seasons. Believe its on both Amazon Prime and Netflix. And it’s Martin Shaw. I’ll say no more except this August he’s performing on stage in London as Sir Thomas Moore in a Man for All Seasons. Oh to be in England!

Posted by
853 posts

Claudia, I was checking into this pub as we are going to be taking a day trip to Durham. It looks wonderful but they have stopped serving food and are only drinks now. Apparently this is a recent change. Just wanted to let other folks know in case they were hoping for pub grub and could not get any at this spot.

Posted by
80 posts

Thanks Claudia and mustlovedogs, we will be looking for lunch and dinner places, disappointing that the one is now only drinks. We very much wanted visit the castle but unfortunately it is closed for a function when we will be in Durham.

Posted by
9889 posts

See if food is still being served at the Fighting Cocks.
Also lots of other restaurants in Durham now. You won’t starve.

Posted by
35881 posts

I'm glad you had a good concert, dougandjulie - sounds like a great evening. A really good way to get travel under your belts.