Durham is a metropolis of sharp contrasts. You’ve received this towering, dramatic Norman structure that sits alongside a chaotic, bustling pupil scene. Throughout time period time, the inhabitants of the town greater than doubles. Equally, the brutal hike up a few of the metropolis’s steep cobblestone streets contrasts with the lazy, winding River Put on beneath.
Discovering a lodge that bridges these worlds isn’t straightforward, however might the Radisson Blu on the gentler, northern banks of the river, in some way pull it off? It does, in any case, sit on the intersection of Durham’s vibrant core and its tranquil waterfront, so let’s take a better to see if this contemporary haven is the right base for exploring the traditional metropolis.
The welcome
Having parked up (there’s parking on web site), we entered the lodge the place we had been instantly greeted by Józef’s Riverside Bar. Resisting the temptation to have a drink, we continued on to the reception desk simply past.
Our check-in course of was greater than competently handled by Emily, regardless of sporting a coaching badge, who single-handedly welcomed us and directed us in direction of the lifts.
The room
We stayed in room 408 on the fourth (and uppermost) ground of the constructing. It’s a Premier Room with a river view, which, within the vernacular of premium journey, interprets to a personal field seat overlooking Durham’s watery freeway.
On getting into our room, we’re first met by a hallway/storage space on the left, toilet on the fitting, and bed room past. The format is thoughtfully unfurled. There’s a good large mattress, a luxurious seat on the finish, and a big, beneficiant window seat with storage beneath (which appears to be like prefer it might simply be was an additional mattress to make a household room).
Outdoors, the view is sort of magical , helped little doubt by our go to coinciding with lovely climate. The meandering River Put on is located instantly beneath, in stark distinction to the sharp, trendy angles of the Durham College Enterprise College on the other financial institution. Connecting the lodge to the opposite facet is the Penny Ferry footbridge, named after the historic ferry that when crossed this actual spot.
The room is extremely purposeful with out shedding its upscale character. There’s a smooth desk space that’s splendid for enterprise travellers and a big Samsung TV for any durations of enjoyable downtime. A contemporary copy of Enterprise Traveller may very well be discovered on the desk and, while it may appear that that is primarily a enterprise lodge, I might think about it additionally will get its justifiable share of leisure guests.
The storage space boasts a full-length mirror, a digital secure, a baggage rack, an iron, and an ironing board. For these in want of a caffeine kick, a Krups espresso machine is obtainable to be used, together with a provide of pods from Costa Rica and Guatemala, along with decaff choices. And for the non-coffee drinkers, there’s tea, Galaxy sizzling chocolate, a kettle, and an empty mini fridge able to be stocked with private favourites.
It’s as if all the things has been considered as a result of there’s even a shoe horn, stitching package, shoe shine, laundry/dry cleansing luggage, and a correct hairdryer. Within the bed room itself, there’s a diptych of summary panorama paintings and the mattress is dressed with loads of pillows and cushions (however not so many that you just spend a good portion of your night eradicating them to be able to go to mattress) and a mottled gray matching throw throughout the foot of the mattress. Modern, ball-like lights flank both facet, and there’s backglow lighting to the complete headboard.
A phone on the bedside is there in case you require an pressing doc printing, a late-night snack, or a restaurant advice – merely dial 0 for reception. Direct dial choices are additionally current for the Tempo well being membership, the enterprise centre, or within the occasion of an emergency.
The WiFi is simple to affix and labored effectively all through our keep.
The toilet
The minimalist toilet has beige tones and contains a mixed bathe and tub, alongside a Villeroy and Bosch basin and WC. There’s a devoted shaving level and an adjustable shaving mirror.
The toiletries are Radisson’s personal branded assortment, which leans closely into botanical luxurious. By the basin, there’s a hand wash that includes goji berry and sea salt extracts, and a hand and physique lotion infused with ginkgo biloba and silk extracts .By the bathe, shampoo infused with inexperienced tea extracts, conditioner with aloe and kelp extracts, and physique wash with goji berry and sea salt extracts. There’s additionally an arrogance package and a neatly packaged bathe cap offered.
Every thing you might want to plan your journey in 2026
The amenities
The lodge has a brand new look following a £1.5m refurbishment in 2024 with a lot of the funding going into modifications on the lodge’s floor ground. On the coronary heart of the lodge is Józef’s Riverside Bar and Restaurant—named after Józef Boruwłaski, a Polish-born dwarf and entertainer who famously retired to Durham within the 18th century. He lived the final 40 years of his life within the metropolis earlier than passing away on the grand outdated age of 97, and is buried contained in the cathedral. His identify lives on with this restaurant which is akin to a British brasserie, combining conventional northern flavours with trendy strategies. The adjoining bar and out of doors terrace are good for having fun with a pre- or post-meal drink.
We dined there on two events, having fun with starters starting from black pudding and crispy pork stomach served with a peppercorn sauce, to roasted beetroot salad with roasted squash, beetroot, pumpkin seeds, feta, watercress and balsamic dressing.
The menu had some basic northern mains comparable to beer-battered fish and chips, and the pictured hearty slow-braised rolled feather blade of beef with roasted root greens, creamy mash and purple wine jus.
We solely as soon as opted for dessert, however can advocate the chocolate orange torte served with a winter berry compote.
The opposite notable function on the bottom ground is the remodelled Tempo Well being Membership and Spa, dwelling to an intensive health suite, heated indoor swimming pool, spa tub, sauna, steam room and 5 Nu Spa therapy rooms the place friends can guide remedies and massages for a full-scale pamper.
The placement
The lodge is ideally located on the banks of the River Put on, slightly out from the town centre and reverse Durham College Enterprise College.
Its place implies that there are excellent, unobstructed views each upstream — the place Durham Cathedral rises majestically above the tree line—and downstream, in direction of the rolling countryside on the north-eastern outskirts of the town, for all river-facing rooms throughout the lodge.
The town’s most well-known landmark is after all the cathedral, broadly thought to be one of many most interesting examples of Norman structure in Europe, and latterly well-known for its appearances in varied Harry Potter movies. In the event you haven’t been in earlier than, you actually ought to – it’s free however donations are strongly inspired to help the constructing’s conservation and operating prices.
A lot nearer to the lodge – virtually subsequent door, the truth is – is the Nationwide Belief’s Criminal Corridor Gardens which we hadn’t beforehand visited.
This lovely web site contains a Thirteenth-century medieval manor home surrounded by an idyllic collection of themed gardens, together with a maze, a vibrant orchard, and far more. In the event you’re into gardening, this provides you with loads of inspiration and is certainly price a go to.
Different good touches
On arrival, we had been offered with vouchers for welcome drinks to be redeemed on the bar, a profit that I believe often comes with Radisson Rewards VIP standing.
The lodge can be clearly making an effort on the subject of sustainability initiatives. A glass water jug within the room, which could be replenished at filtered water stations positioned close to the elevate and foyer areas on each ground, is a commendable effort to eliminating single-use plastics. The station I visited displayed a digital counter displaying that 16,303 plastic bottles had been saved by friends. I don’t know whether or not that was simply that one machine, or what the time interval was, however thought it was spectacular all the identical.
The price
Commonplace rooms sometimes begin from round £160 per evening, together with breakfast.
Premium rooms with a river view sometimes begin from round £200 per evening, together with breakfast.
The perfect bit
Location, location, location. Not solely does the Radisson Blu Durham supply nice views of the river and Durham Cathedral past, however its riverside location additionally means easy proximity to the town centre which could be reached on foot in lower than quarter-hour.
The ultimate verdict
No matter your cause for visiting Durham – whether or not it’s for enterprise or pleasure – the Radisson Blu will greater than meet expectations. We had been there for leisure functions – a chance to discover the town slightly, but in addition to mix the journey with a go to to our son throughout his ultimate yr on the College – however enterprise travellers would additionally discover the lodge to be a completely polished and effortlessly comfy expertise.
Disclosure: Our keep was sponsored by Radisson Blu Durham.
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxurious Journey Weblog and has labored within the journey trade for greater than 30 years. He’s Winner of the Improvements in Journey ‘Finest Journey Influencer’ Award from WIRED journal. Along with different awards, the weblog has additionally been voted “one of many world’s greatest journey blogs” and “greatest for luxurious” by The Telegraph.
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