Durham Cathedral university end of year concert

I was in both Durham and York for multiple nights last month. I used both rail stations and visited the Cathedral in Durham - walked all over.

My "concern" for you would be getting from the Cathedral to the train station after the concert. I do not know if there are taxis readily available. (maybe Stuart or a local poster will chime in) I did use a couple taxis from my hotel - the hotel called them for me twice and I called them myself on one occasion. You could probably set something up yourself as a pick-up at the Cathedral - Pratts Taxi Service was the one I used three times - to and from Beamish Museum and once from hotel to the rail station. They were reliable in my experience. https://www.durhamlocate.org.uk/Services/3237/Pratts-Taxi-Service

Durham (which was lovely) is also hilly, built along a river bank. The train station and the Cathedral are on opposite sides of the river. From the train station, downhill, across the river, uphill to the Cathedral - reverse to return to the station. (I managed the downhill from the train station with carry-on luggage to my hotel, but didn't want to repeat the process uphill when leaving Durham. There are a number of stairs.)

Additionally and assuming you can replicate this. when I google map the walking route from the Cathedral to the station, the 14 minute walk is along a trail for walking/hiking. Fine during the day if a bit steep in spots, but not what I would do at night. The 17 minute route is city sidewalk.

I wouldn't worry about "busy-ness" at the rail stations - either Durham which is quite small or York which is larger, but not terribly complicated.

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.

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.

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.

I have one more thought on the 14 minute walking route, even in day time.

Last month, early April, there was construction going on outside the Cathedral where the path ends. It was quite confusing as to where an entrance to the Cathedral was. From the path, at least as I took it, one entered the Cathedral premises via a cloister - but this route wasn't marked and wasn't obvious (at least to me). So I wandered around a bit and blundered into a construction zone where very helpful people set me on the correct path. I don't know if that construction is still on-going. I also don't know if I missed a sign that others might find obvious.

After that experience on subsequent visits, I used the city sidewalk route to and from the Cathedral.

The "14 minute" walkway follows the river and is rather scenic. it is quite steep in spots.

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.

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.

Enjoy!! I looked the concert up - it does look like appealing.

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!

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.

Unfortunate but still a nice spot to enjoy.

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.

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