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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Durham University

999 replies

KingscoteStaff · 18/09/2021 06:46

The continuation thread for those with DC at Durham, or applying to Durham, or alumni, or staff!

September 2021 finds us packing, unpacking, meeting old friends and new, and all with our fingers firmly crossed for a positive year!

OP posts:
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11
Original poster
KingscoteStaff · 09/10/2021 11:09

Sorry, Honest Lawyer! ! Free parking there, too.

OP posts:
chopc · 09/10/2021 11:11

I just looked on booking.com and saw what's available @Motherknowsbest100 . Although someone said we can call Durham castle and say we have a student at Durham and can stay there apparently

chopc · 09/10/2021 11:12

I wonder how people who got allocated annexes are getting on ....... do they feel a part of their college or have they formed their own communities within their accommodation?

Motherknowsbest100 · 09/10/2021 12:07

Thank you both, that’s really helpful. Working in a school myself, I’m looking at half term to visit - prices appear to have rocketed as has availability! The honest lawyer is one that keeps appearing on my search @KingscoteStaff so I’ll look into that.
Wow, would be fantastic if we could get somewhere through the uni @chopc I’d certainly not heard of that

Peaseblossum22 · 09/10/2021 12:20

We were thinking of going in November , there’s an offer on at the Raddison has anyone stayed there? My other son is going to come with us and I notice they have a pool which he might like . The indigo is about twice the price so we might have to save that for another day !

NotEnoughTime · 09/10/2021 12:27

I've stayed at the Radisson Blu. It was perfectly nice and I would be more than happy to stay there again. The leisure centre was very nice too. We had to book a slot at the leisure centre due to covid but not sure if you will still have to do that.

Could you tell me where you saw the offer please?

I agree that the indigo looks lovely but out of my price range too :)

Longtimenewsee · 09/10/2021 12:46

I think the castle is only available as room lets when the students are NOT in them . However, I don’t think the rooms have actually been let to general public since the beginning of the pandemic (but don’t quote me on that). I think the castle only opened for guided tours for tourists in the summer holidays after being closed to the general public for a long time.
We stayed at the radisson blu early in the summer and it was good location and the room was fine. We had a view of the river which was nice.

Vargas · 09/10/2021 16:34

We are looking to go up one weekend in November, although the weekend of 20/21 seems to be fully booked due to the Lumiere festival!

Peaseblossum22 · 09/10/2021 18:53

@NotEnoughTime it was on booking.com

Dobbyismyabsolutefav · 09/10/2021 19:10

Although my DD isn't at Durham we had a lovely few days visiting the city last year. Loved the cathedral, visited the Tommy statue at Seaham and Alnwick Castle. Also fantastic brunch at the Flat White and worth queuing for.

MargaretThursday · 09/10/2021 19:20

We took a small house outside Durham, which was really nice, as it gave dd a break for a weekend.

SpringSparrow · 10/10/2021 11:21

@MargaretThursday that sounds like a good idea, did you find the house through Airbnb? We have stayed a few times at the Raddison Blu, most recently last weekend. I like the location, we have had rooms overlooking the river, and it’s an easy walk into town. They missed doing the room at least one time during our stay this time, and because last time we stayed they weren’t making up the rooms during the stay as a Covid precautions I wasn’t sure if it was because of Covid, but when I checked they were supposed to be making up the rooms! We didn’t bother having breakfast there this time as I don’t think it’s worth the price(think it’s £12 a head) and there are much nicer places to have breakfast a short walk away. We haven’t managed to use the the leisure facilities either.
There’s a moon installation at the Catherdral at the moment. The castle tours are starting again from Monday 11th October and you can check the details here www.dur.ac.uk/durham.castle/whatson/details/?month=2021-11
It’s a lovely city to mooch around. My husband and son spotted an otter in the river. Lots of nice cafes, Chapterhouse, Vennels and Cafedral are all very good. We visited Beamish on a previous visit, which is about a 20 min drive away. We visited the Durham coast this time too, we went to Nose’s point which is about a 20 min drive.

Durham University
Longtimenewsee · 10/10/2021 11:29

Fab ideas @SpringSparrow… thank you Smile. I am jealous of the otter sighting !
We also weren’t keen on the breakfast at the radisson so would second going elsewhere for that . Room was good though.

NotEnoughTime · 10/10/2021 11:30

Thank you Peaseblossum22 I will have a look.

MargaretThursday · 10/10/2021 13:13

Yes it was Air B&B we went up the February half term.

SpamhappyTootsie · 11/10/2021 18:43

Just booked a cottage near Barnard Castle for end of Oct. Excited!
Coastal ones low on availability / no dogs allowed so will have to plan further ahead for that side.
Might be able to fit DS in around Castles and Tea Shops, but might not Grin

clan17 · 11/10/2021 19:37

We have booked a cottage in Barnard Castle too that is dog friendly for 3 nights in October half term. Excited to see DS and hoping for dry weather to visit High Force Waterfalls.

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 11/10/2021 20:57

High force is lovely. Low force is a great swimming spot too.

plk323 · 12/10/2021 07:36

@Motherknowsbest100

Hi, I’ve just found this thread and was wondering if anybody could recommend somewhere to stay in or around Durham when visiting our youngsters? We were thinking of a visit before xmas and with it being a 6 hour round trip it would be good to stay a night. Any personal recommendations?
I haven't stayed at the Radisson Blu but I've stayed at the Royal County a number of times. Last time it was only £125 B&B but that was possibly due to covid. It's a 2 minute walk into the town centre and a nice spot on the river. The hotel is divided into two parts (connected by a bridge), the newer rooms over the leisure club are nicer and some have a river view.
Trafficontrol · 12/10/2021 10:54

Hello! Also just found this thread. I’m going up this weekend, DD is homesick!

Can anyone recommend a cheap place to stay for a couple of nights near St Aidan’s please?

Trafficontrol · 12/10/2021 10:55

Also tips on things to do - it’s just me and her! Any recommendations on where to eat?

chopc · 12/10/2021 11:04

@Trafficontrol if you check a few posts down I asked the same question and there were lots of suggestions

Trafficontrol · 12/10/2021 11:24

Thank you chopc, I didn’t see, will take a proper look.

Trafficontrol · 12/10/2021 11:28

@chopc I’m looking specifically bear St Aidans. I would like to be as close as possible to this college & won’t have a car.

Have I missed recommendations? It’s a long thread.

libbytrois · 12/10/2021 11:42

@Trafficontrol it's walkable from town - about half an hour. We stayed at the indigo hotel and met in town.