A Literary Pilgrimage of Durham: Guided Walk

Celebrate fact and fiction inspired by, associated with, and written about Durham. Hear stories of ancient scribes, poets, prize winning authors, political discourse, and folklore; and see Durham from a new perspective.  

The walk lasts approximately 1.5 hours. Please dress appropriately for the weather, ensuring sturdy footwear. The walk includes hills and the city’s woodland and riverbanks, starting in Durham Market Place, finishing on the UNESCO Durham World Heritage Site.  

Created by Ruth Robson, this literary pilgrimage includes material researched as part of Writing Durham, a partnership between Durham Book Festival and Durham University. 

Ruth Robson grew up in Sunderland, part of the historic County of Durham, leaving to go to university. Following a career in broadcasting in North East England, London and New York, she has since worked in the cultural and heritage sectors in the United States and back in her native North East England.  

A self-guided downloadable audio version of the walk was commissioned by Durham Book Festival in 2020 and is available to download here.