What is the Durham Cathedral sanctuary knocker all about?

The big knocker on the northern door of Durham Cathedral is known as the Sanctuary Knocker. It has long played a part in the history of Durham Cathedral. Anyone who had committed an offence such as murder in self-defence or breaking from prison, could knock the knocker, and would then be given 37 days of sanctuary within the cathedral. In this time they were expected to try reconciliation with their enemies or plan their route of escape.

The Durham Cathedral Sanctuary Knocker is mentioned as far back as 1593, in a book called The Rites of Durham.

Find out more detail on the Durham World Heritage Site website.

Visit the hidden gem that is the City of Durham

As a city, it has been lost in the media images of the North East of England, as Newcastle and Sunderland take centre stage, not least because of their Premier League football teams. But Durham is the city that I have visited that most fits the tag 'hidden gem.' It is quite simply beautiful. It has the heady combination of the natural beauty of the River Wear circling and winding through the city, and the man made beauty of the cathedral, the castle and countless old bridges. I love this city.

Even through the North East England winters and the wet Summer days the city shines through in every aspect. Bill Bryson enthused about it in his book Notes From A Small Island: Journey Through Britain and rightly so.

It is a wonderful city with a rich past and a vibrant future. The number of residents in the city swells every September with the annual migration of students and this helps to keep the city fresh and vibrant. The cathedral and castle dominate the skyline and remind you of just how old this city actually is.

Over the coming blogs I will share with you my experience of Durham, the history of Durham, the photographs I have taken of Durham and the best places to visit in and around the city.