Durham
The Land of The Price Bishops
County Durham is unique, as for many centuries it was a virtually independent state ruled not by the king, but by powerful `Prince Bishops'.
"There are two kings in England namely the Lord King of England wearing a crown in sign of his regality and the Lord Bishop of Durham wearing a mitre in place of a crown in sign of his regality in the diocese of Durham."
The Norman cathedral is one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in the world. It faces an ancient castle. In 1986, the uniqueness of this religious, historical and cultural treasure was recognised when the Cathedral, together with Durham Castle, was awarded the highest of accolades - designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site
.The present Cathedral has stood on this spot as a place of prayer and pilgrimage for over 900 years. It contains the remains of Cuthbert, the saintly seventh-century bishop of Lindisfarne; it also holds the tomb of Bede, the chronicler of Cuthbert's life and the first English historian.
Durham City is also home to the University of Durham