Pub and History Tour Durham City

Durham City’s Pub and History Tour offers a captivating blend of local ales and cultural exploration. Led by experienced guides, participants journey through the city’s 1,000-year-old past, uncovering intriguing narratives and folklore as they visit four carefully selected pubs. With a maximum of 10 guests per tour, this 2.5-hour adventure provides an intimate and engaging experience for history enthusiasts and ale lovers alike. Discover Durham’s rich heritage while indulging in the region’s renowned cask ales – a must for anyone seeking to enjoy the city’s vibrant past.

This experience made our list of the 9 Best Tours In Durham Uk.

Good To Know

• Guided 2.5-hour tour of Durham’s historic pubs, focusing on the city’s 1,000-year history and featuring four half-pint tastings of local cask ales.
• Intimate experience limited to 10 participants, led by an experienced local guide who shares insights into influential figures and local folklore.
• Explores notable landmarks like the Market Place, Saddler Street, Palace Green, and Durham Crown Court, providing cultural and historical context.
• Offers a mix of pub tastings and immersive storytelling, allowing participants to explore Durham’s past while enjoying the local drinking culture.
• Flexible booking and cancellation policy, with a full refund available if canceled 24 hours in advance, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The Pub and History Tour in Durham City allows visitors to explore the city’s 1,000-year history while enjoying cask ale at four of its best pubs.

Priced from €47.48 per person, the 2.5-hour tour is limited to 10 participants and led by a local guide with four years of experience. Guests can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

The tour includes four half pints of cask ale or soft drinks and highlights landmarks like the Market Place, Saddler Street, Palace Green, and Elvet Bridge.

Suitable for adults only, the tour welcomes well-behaved dogs. Reviews praise the tour’s wealth of historical information and entertaining experience.

Pub Hopping Through Durham

Visitors embark on a captivating journey through Durham’s rich history as they hop from one charming pub to the next on this guided tour.

Accompanied by an experienced local guide, guests discover the city’s 1,000-year-old past while savoring four half pints of cask ale or soft drinks in each of the carefully selected pubs.

The tour highlights include:

1. Exploring the Market Place and its influential figures.
2. Uncovering the history and folklore of Saddler Street while tasting the local brew.
3. Learning about the founding of Durham and the Prince Bishops at Palace Green.
4. Delving into the darker tales of infamous criminals and executions at the Durham Crown Court.

Exploring Durham’s 1,000-Year History

As the tour guides visitors through Durham’s historic pubs, they uncover the city’s captivating 1,000-year-old past.

The tour explores Durham’s founding and the influential Prince Bishops who shaped its early history. Guests visit the Market Place, learning about the city’s notable buildings and figures.

They then head to Saddler Street, where they’ll taste local ales while delving into Durham’s folklore.

At Palace Green, the tour recounts the origins of the city and the powerful Prince Bishops.

From there, they move to Hallgarth Street, uncovering tales of infamous criminals and executions at the historic pub.

The final stop on the tour is Elvet Bridge, where visitors can enjoy one last drink in a city center pub.

Highlights of the Tour

Captivating tales of Durham’s storied past permeate the Pub and History Tour, transporting guests on a journey through the city’s 1,000-year legacy.

The tour highlights include:

• Exploring the Market Place and learning about influential figures that shaped the city’s history.

• Tasting local ales while uncovering the folklore and history along Saddler Street.

• Discovering the founding of Durham and the legacy of the Prince Bishops at Palace Green.

• Delving into darker tales of infamous criminals and executions at the Durham Crown Court.

These immersive experiences, complemented by four half pints of cask ale or soft drinks at each pub, create an engaging and enlightening adventure through Durham’s rich past.

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Meeting Point and Arrival Instructions

The Pub and History Tour in Durham City begins at the iconic Man on the Horse statue in the city’s bustling Market Place.

Look for the friendly tour guide holding a black Walkabout Durham umbrella, which will be your signal to join the group. Arriving a few minutes early is recommended to ensure you don’t miss the start of this fascinating 2.5-hour adventure.

The tour is limited to 10 participants, so it’s an intimate experience where you’ll explore Durham’s 1,000-year history while visiting four of the city’s best pubs.

Age and Dog Policies

The Pub and History Tour in Durham City has an age restriction – it’s not suitable for those under 18 years old.

However, the tour organizers welcome dogs on the tour and in all the participating pubs.

Here’s what you need to know about the age and dog policies:

1. The tour is only open to adults aged 18 and above.
2. Guests are welcome to bring their canine companions along for the experience.
3. Dogs are permitted on the tour and are also allowed inside the pubs.
4. This inclusive policy ensures that both human and furry friends can enjoy the rich history and lively atmosphere of Durham City.

Customer Reviews and Ratings

Supplementing the tour’s detailed overview, a wealth of glowing customer reviews further attests to the Pub and History Tour‘s excellence.

With a flawless 5-star rating across 3 reviews, guests have praised the tour’s fantastic historic information, the wonderful and entertaining experience provided by guide Peter, and the tour’s high value.

One reviewer highlighted the "plethora of fantastic historic information," while another described it as a "highly worth it" experience filled with "detailed knowledge and great pub selections."

Booking and Cancellation Details

Booking the Pub and History Tour in Durham City is a hassle-free process. Visitors can reserve their spot without immediate payment, allowing them to secure their place on the tour and pay later.

The tour also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, providing flexibility for those with changing plans.

Plus, the tour operator limits the group size to 10 participants, ensuring a more intimate and personalized experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Drinks Included in the Tour Price?

Yes, the tour includes 4 half pints of cask ale or soft drinks in each of the 4 pubs visited, with the drink costs covered in the ticket price.

Can I Bring My Own Food or Drinks on the Tour?

No, bringing outside food or drinks is not permitted on the tour. However, the ticket price includes four half pints of cask ale or soft drinks at the pubs visited during the 2.5-hour experience.

Is the Tour Wheelchair Accessible?

The tour is not explicitly stated to be wheelchair accessible. However, the pubs may have varying levels of accessibility. Participants with mobility concerns should contact the tour operator directly to inquire about accommodations.

Can I Take Photos During the Tour?

Yes, participants are welcome to take photos during the tour. The local guide encourages capturing memorable moments at the pubs and historic sites visited along the way to enhance the overall tour experience.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

There is no mention of an option to extend the tour duration in the overview. The tour is specified as a fixed 2.5-hour experience, with no indications it can be lengthened. The details provided do not indicate any extension is available.

Sum Up

The Pub and History Tour in Durham City offers a unique opportunity to explore the city’s rich heritage while sampling local ales. Led by an experienced guide, the 2.5-hour tour takes visitors through Durham’s 1,000-year history, stopping at four pubs for tastings. This engaging experience is perfect for history enthusiasts and ale lovers alike, with a maximum of 10 participants per tour.

You can check availability for your dates here: