Moments & Stories

High in the windswept hills of County Durham, at the heart of the North Pennines National Landscape, is Groverake Mine — a relic from the north of England’s industrial past that once bustled with life and enterprise for almost two centuries. This area was at the centre of Britain’s fluorspar excavation industry, extracting the mineral ...

In 1072, William the Conqueror initiated the construction of the Castle following the Norman Conquest of England, which had occurred six years earlier when the Normans arrived in the North. To start, the Earl of Northumberland, Waltheof, oversaw the construction.

However, in 1076, Waltheof rebelled against William and was ...

Believe it or not, yes, shepherds did graze their sheep on the Palace Green in Durham City.

If I remember correctly, this was at the behest of the Bishop of Durham, back in medieval times.

I cannot recall the full details and if retired Durham University Press Officer, Keith Seacroft ever sees this story I know he can ...