Durham is a county that delivers
Here in this remarkable county you will find a unique fusion of innovative businesses, enterprise and breathtaking outdoor space, teamed with a rich heritage and world-class cultural and educational offer.
Durham has played a pivotal role in events that have shaped the world, from the Norman Conquest to the development of the railways. Whilst a thousand years of pilgrimage has given the county a reputation for hospitality and a warm Durham welcome.
Home to the Durham Cathedral and Castle UNESCO World Heritage Site, Durham City’s fascinating past is brought right into the present, as the thriving university city buzzes with life.
Durham University provides world-class education and research and is ranked in the UK Top 5 universities and Top 100 in the world*, while being the innovative spark for a range of start-up businesses.
Durham is a place to live, learn, work, play and explore – and where you’ll receive that warm Durham welcome.
We hope you enjoy browsing this site and discovering how Durham really delivers.
*5th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. Joint 89th in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Invest
Durham is well-known for having been at the forefront of the industrial revolution, giving birth to the modern railway, and now it’s at the forefront of another hi-tech revolution and home to cutting-edge businesses.
Within a stunning landscape of coast and countryside lies a hotbed of technological advancement. NETPark, one of the UK’s premier science and technology parks, fosters research and development, whilst the Durham Innovation District is set to nurture high-growth start-up businesses and academic research.
Durham hosts Space North East England, which brings together businesses, academia and institutions to unlock opportunities in the space sector. This is an ever-growing part of the county’s economy with leading companies driving innovation.
The success of the space sector is a sign of the potential for other skilled, technology sectors to flourish, such as the green economy, with Durham competing in the quest for a carbon-neutral future, with lithium production and lightweight solar film development for renewable energy generation.
Durham has quality, space for businesses to invest, expand and relocate. A prime location for inward investment, the county has a commitment to innovation, and a supportive business environment. This thriving ecosystem fosters growth across diverse sectors, including technology, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences. With a 1.5m talent pool and a strong track record of success, Durham provides businesses with the tools and resources they need to thrive
Find out more at Business Durham.
©NASA/MSFC/David Higginbotham
Visit
Durham Cathedral attracts people from all over the world and has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries. Today, visitors make their own pilgrimage to the county to enjoy incredible experiences, from city to countryside and coast.
At award-winning attractions including Beamish Museum, Raby Castle, The Bowes Museum, The Auckland Project and Locomotion, the county’s fascinating past is brought to life in exciting new ways.
This is a place to enjoy the outdoors, get back to nature and experience wonderful wildlife and incredible dark skies – whether that’s through walking, cycling, water sports, or simply taking the opportunity for some tranquil time out.
Families can make lasting memories in Durham, whilst couples and solo travellers can enjoy quality time. Our packed programme of events, from Lumiere – the UK’s light art biennial, to the Bishop Auckland and Seaham Food Festivals, music – including the international Brass Festival, and sport – from cricket to rowing, ensures there’s always something to enjoy, whenever you choose to visit.
Incredible food and drink is always on the menu, with local producers providing a real taste of the county.
From a vibrant city visit to a rural retreat, Durham is the ideal destination.
Explore more at thisisdurham.com
Study
Durham offers a great welcome for those looking to study within an internationally recognised university and an incredibly special natural environment.
Durham University provides world-class education and globally renowned research. Ranked in the UK Top 5 universities and Top 100 in the world*, it is also the innovative spark for a range of start-up businesses.
The university has strong links with local businesses, providing opportunities for collaboration and innovation, and a pipeline of highly skilled graduates.
Durham also provides a fun and enjoyable social setting for students to enjoy, from a thriving music scene to comedy, cinema, theatre, sports, cafes, bars and more.
Durham is a place to live, learn, work, play and explore – and where you’ll receive that warm Durham welcome.
Discover more at Durham University.
*5th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. Joint 89th in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Live
Durham offers a hugely attractive and affordable lifestyle with contrasting opportunities, from city living to characterful towns and villages, set against a peaceful backdrop of countryside and coast. It has fantastic transport links and is under 3 hours from London, and just under two hours from Edinburgh, with the cities of Newcastle and Sunderland nearby.
High-quality housing across our city, towns and villages are home to connected communities, proud to call Durham home.
You will discover exciting activities, attractions and events right on your doorstep, with Durham’s great outdoors providing the perfect playground for those who love walking, cycling, water sports or family fun in the fresh air.
Independent retailers jostle for attention alongside big name brands, whilst the county provides a tempting array of food and drink businesses, including award-winning eateries and distinctive local produce.
Durham provides the opportunity to make the most of your time.
Work
Powered by a proud industrial heritage and a DNA of inventiveness and entrepreneurship, Durham is famed for providing many world firsts, from the first public railway to use steam locomotives, to English mustard! It continues to be a centre of innovation, with a focus on fintech and software, space and satellites, electrification, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, research, innovation and green energy, with world-class locations such as the Northeast Technology Park (NETPark) already hugely successful.
The county’s commitment to innovation and growth is evident in its diverse business sectors, including technology, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, culture and tourism, providing a broad range of employment opportunities. And with many excellent further education facilities, access to training and development will support you in your career progression.
Connected via the East Coast Mainline, the A1(M), A66, Newcastle International Airport, Teesside International Airport, Teesport, the Port of Tyne and Port of Sunderland, access in and out of Durham is easy and efficient.
A great quality of life, coupled with fantastic transport links and proximity to major cities, makes Durham an ideal location for businesses to attract and retain top talent.
Meet
Durham is home to over half a million people within its city, towns and villages, and near to the neighbouring cities of Newcastle and Sunderland.
People have a tradition of coming together in Durham, as communities, at events, to collaborate for work, to study and to visit. It is a place where people gather and enjoy being together.
It is an amazingly diverse city and county with a variety of unique spaces, places and venues to hold exceptional conferences, meetings and events.
So from a super-summit to an inspiring team getaway, meet in Durham and find space to think, space to create and space to collaborate.
Find out more at Meet in Durham.
Film
Durham is a filming-friendly county, with the natural playground of the Durham Dales and North Pennines National Landscape, striking coastline, historic city, iconic buildings, and modern architecture, making it a magnet for production companies.
It is these qualities that have resulted in Durham being showcased on the big and small screen – from the Harry Potter and Marvel movie franchises to Oscar winning films and TV classics.
The county provides a dedicated free Filming Friendly service and named contact to support production companies, filmmakers and photographers, and is a signatory of the Filming Friendly Charter, a North East Screen initiative, to shine a spotlight on the region.
Learn more at Filming Friendly Durham.
