This walk starts in The College at the back of the WOODLANDS & RIVERBANKS Cathedral. The College is where the 18th-century HISTORY TRAIL Prebendaries (Canons of the Cathedral) lived when they were resident in Durham. From here they could walk out to the riverbank paths. Follow their steps through the Dark Entry archway that leads under the house with the castellated roof. Trail ......................... walking KEY Grade ...................... easy to moderate Accessibility ......... some steps Route of trail and short steep slopes Distance ................ 1.5 miles Footpaths on the woodlands (2.41km) and riverbanks Time ........................ 1-2 hours Direction of trail Go back in the direction you have come from Steps Steep slope is evidence of quarrying which Prebends’ Sir Walter The Riverbank continued in the hillsides above The Count’s The Old Walk Scott’s poem Mills and Weir Prebends’ Bridge until at least 1809, House and Fulling Mill Turn left at the end of the Dark Entry At the end of the bridge, part of a Continue along the riverside when stone from what was known Banks Cottage From the Count’s House take the and begin to walk down the poem by Sir Walter Scott is engraved footpath until you reach the mill, as the New Bridge quarry was The classical building commonly lower riverside path back towards gravelled path. On your left is a on a stone plaque. Look above the which over the years has been off ered for the building of a new gaol known as the Count’s House is Prebends’ Bridge. The walk passes gated terraced walk. Terraced walks verse to see one of the most iconic known as Banks Mill, the Corn Mill, in Durham. believed to have been built in the under the bridge, past modern with views were popular in 17th and and South Street Mill. Go to the sculpture and boathouses then views of the Cathedral. This walk would have had many 1820s. It is named after Polish 18th-century England. Today Prebends’ seating area at the far side of the mill. ‘Count’ Joseph Boruwlaski who was continues to the Old Fulling Mill. Walk up the hill to see the small features of an 18th-century pleasure Walk is used as a private garden. This is a good place to take in the only 3 feet 3 inches tall. He was the There have been mills here since cottage on the left. This was the fi rst garden – light and shade created by strategic position of the Castle and tenant of Calamanco Hall, or Banks medieval times; its current name gatekeeper’s cottage for Prebends’ trees and grassy groves, a crescent- Cathedral. They would have been Cottage as it was later called, which comes from use as a textile mill Prebends’ Bridge, fi nished in 1781. In 1834 a shaped curve in the river, the eye at the top of a quarried gorge, with stood on the fl at ground between around 1800. More recently the Bridge new gatehouse was built further up catcher of St Oswald’s church tower, a moat-like river below, before the here and Prebends’ Bridge. He lived mill has been used as an the hill, by the main road. The gate a rocky grotto and a pretty little Continue on the main downward trees softened the landscape. archaeology museum. cascade. Keep to the main path, there from 1810 until he died in 1837 path to Prebends’ Bridge. The there is still used to restrict vehicles passing three streams which fl ow aged 97, looked after by the two Miss foundation stone of this bridge was from crossing Prebends’ Bridge. There has been a mill on this site From here the wide main path will into the River Wear. The third stream Ebdons, daughters of the Cathedral laid in 1772 and the bridge was since medieval times, although it take you back to Prebends’ Bridge, Behind the sealed archway ahead was used to drain water from nearby organist. Joseph Boruwlaski’s clothes fi nished in 1778. It was built at the was rebuilt following the Great the Dark Entry, and the Cathedral. is a long tunnel which would have Elvet Colliery. This is a good place to are preserved in Durham Town Hall, expense of the Cathedral to replace Flood of 1771. In 1902 it was agreed For an alternative route back to the been in use around 1800, when there turn back towards Prebends’ Bridge. along with his violin and portrait. a stone bridge which was swept to extend the riverside path around Cathedral, walk from Prebends’ were coal mines nearby. As you get closer to Prebends’ This small classical summer house away in the Great Flood of 1771. On the back of the mill to make a route Bridge through the Water Gate arch Bridge, see the view of the mill and would have been at the end of his Prebends’ Bridge, look to your left to Retrace your steps to Prebends’ to Framwellgate Bridge. On the to the picturesque cobbled street riverbanks framed within the arches garden. Banks Cottage was pulled the far riverbank where the abutment Bridge and turn left past the tall opposite side of the river is the Old called South Bailey. This route leads of the bridge. down in 1851. of the previous bridge is still visible. pyramid of stones. This was built in Fulling Mill. gently uphill to a medieval stone entrance gate on your left. 1996, using stones from an eroding At Prebends’ Bridge cross the river. Continue across the bridge, noticing Go through the archway to pinnacle at the north-east end of The Footpath Look up to see the medieval city wall the balusters on either side. In 1797 return to The College and the the Cathedral. to St Oswald’s and the Water Gate arch ahead. This coal wagons were banned from Cathedral Cloister. gateway was enlarged in 1778 to using the bridge and by February Church allow for carriages. At the end of the 1798 balusters on the bridge had Return to Prebends’ Bridge, staying bridge, turn right and take the path been broken. The Cathedral clergy on the same side of the river; take down to see the Count’s House. off ered a reward of 25 guineas the main footpath ahead along the for the conviction of ‘the Person riverbank, towards St Oswald’s or Persons who did pull down, Church. In 1755 the Dean and break and destroy a whole range of Chapter agreed to spend up to £20 Bannisters together with Battlement ‘repairing and widening the walk upon the New Bridge’. A week later from the [earlier] New Bridge to the reward was raised to 50 guineas. Elvet churchyard’. On the right x155058_DCC_History_p1_nm.indd 1 30/09/2015 16:26 ISBN 9786000030452 ISBN 9786000030445 ISBN 9786000030438 ISBN x155058_DCC_History_p1_nm.indd 2 x155058_DCC_History_p1_nm.indd 30/09/2015 16:26 30/09/2015 www.durhamcathedral.co.uk www.durhamcathedral.co.uk T. 0191 386 4266 386 0191 T. ISBN 9786000030421 ISBN 9786000030414 ISBN 9786000030407 ISBN DH1 3EH DH1 Durham City Durham HISTORY TRAIL HISTORY WOODLANDS & RIVERBANKS & WOODLANDS Other trails in the series include: Pilgrimage, Geology, Photography and Nature. and Photography Geology, Pilgrimage, include: series the in trails Other aware of the rich natural and cultural heritage of the woodlands and riverbanks. riverbanks. and woodlands the of heritage cultural and natural rich the of aware This trail is one of a series, to help residents and visitors to Durham become more more become Durham to visitors and residents help to series, a of one is trail This L THEDRA CA M M HA DUR OF FRIENDS sessions, and other learning and volunteering opportunities. volunteering and learning other and sessions, physical access, a programme of events and outdoor education education outdoor and events of programme a access, physical opportunities for people to engage with the area through improved improved through area the with engage to people for opportunities Riverbanks Project has rejuvenated this historic landscape, creating more more creating landscape, historic this rejuvenated has Project Riverbanks Heritage Lottery Fund, Durham Cathedral’s Heritage Woodlands and and Woodlands Heritage Cathedral’s Durham Fund, Lottery Heritage Site of Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle. With support from the the from support With Castle. Durham and Cathedral Durham of Site Durham City provide a unique setting for the UNESCO World Heritage Heritage World UNESCO the for setting unique a provide City Durham The eighteenth-century woodlands and riverbanks at the heart of of heart the at riverbanks and woodlands eighteenth-century The “This prospect, perhaps, is not to be equalled in the In the 19th century, when colourful gardens became popular, the environs of any city in the known world”, wrote Cathedral bought shrubs for the riverbanks. In the 20th century, William Hutchinson in his History of Durham, Rhododendrons and large numbers of bulbs were planted. published in 1787. Local residents were asked to donate plants from their gardens as the riverbanks became more like a woodland garden. Welcome to Durham Cathedral’s heritage woodlands and riverbanks. This history walk will explain how the The trail is approximately 1½ miles long and can take as long riverbanks landscape was developed by the Cathedral as you like. There are eight stops altogether, each revealing clergy in the 18th century to create a parkland setting fascinating secrets about the hidden heritage of the Cathedral’s for the Cathedral. woodlands and riverbanks. We hope you will enjoy the walk. This trail has been developed by local people who took part in Before the 17th century, the Cathedral’s riverbanks the History of the Cathedral Riverbanks research course, after would have been defensive banksides, with old many hours searching for evidence in the Cathedral archives.