Indigo Durham
Victorian grandeur meets contemporary boutique. The building is the star — you're staying inside a piece of Durham's civic history. Design is polished and purposeful without being stuffy.
Book a cathedral-view room — the price uplift over standard rooms is modest and the view from bed is remarkable
Why It Matters
One of very few upscale hotels in Durham city centre, set inside a genuinely significant listed building just 400 metres from Durham Cathedral. The Marco Pierre White restaurant adds a credible dining anchor, and several rooms look directly onto the cathedral — a view that's hard to put a price on.
Hotel Indigo Durham occupies Old Shire Hall, a Grade II listed Victorian building from 1893 that once housed Durham University offices and the city's council chamber. Brass etchings line the lobby walls, marble tiles cover the floors, and original parquet flooring and stained glass run through the hallways — so the bones of the place do serious architectural heavy lifting. The rooms themselves layer contemporary design over all that heritage, taking visual cues from Durham's famous 'trinity' of cathedral, castle, and university.
Where You'll Stay
8 room types available
1 Double Premium
Individually designed rooms taking inspiration from Durham Cathedral and University. Steps up from Standard with added bathroom amenities including bathrobes and slippers.
Double
1 Double Premium Cathedral View
Same premium-tier fit-out as the standard Premium Double, but with direct views of Durham Cathedral. One of the most sought-after room types in the hotel. Rainfall shower, bathrobes, and slippers included.
Double1 Double Standard
The entry-level room, individually designed with visual nods to Durham Cathedral and the University. One double bed and an en-suite bathroom with rainfall shower. Compact but well-fitted.
Double1 Double Standard Accessible
Individually designed accessible room taking inspiration from Durham Cathedral and University. One double bed with accessible bathroom facilities.
Double1 King Premium Old Elvet Street View
Located on the Elvet's level of the hotel in a corner position, this king room enjoys a double-aspect outlook onto Old Elvet street. Premium tier with the full bathroom amenity package.
King
1 King Premium With Bathtub
The showpiece room, tucked up on the Mansard's floor with a split-level layout that gives you a proper seating area separate from the sleeping space. The headline feature is a free-standing copper double-ended slipper bath alongside a separate rainfall shower. Unique in the hotel and the one to book if you want something genuinely special.
King1 King Premium With Methodist Church View
Set on the Bishop's level in a corner position with views of the adjacent Methodist Church. Spacious for the building, with the full premium amenity package.
King2 Queen Premium With Bathtub
The only twin-bed premium option, individually designed with inspiration drawn from Durham Cathedral. Comes with a bathtub — making it suitable for friends sharing or families wanting more sleeping flexibility alongside a luxurious bathroom.
Two QueensThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Durham Cathedral and castle are literally 400 metres away. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is easily walkable from the front door in under 10 minutes.
Durham's biennial light art festival illuminates the city — and sometimes the hotel's own facade. The hotel is centrally placed for the whole event. Most recently the 2025 edition saw a large-scale neon artwork installed on the hotel exterior.
The former council chamber is available for away days, board meetings, training, networking events, receptions, and private dining for up to 60 guests.
A flat, scenic walk along the River Wear runs from close to the hotel — a popular route past the cathedral peninsula.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
The former council chamber of Old Shire Hall, now a versatile event and meeting space. Dimensions: 12.75m x 6.1m x 4m. Capacities: theatre 80, banquet 60, cabaret 48, boardroom 24. Equipped with natural daylight, air conditioning, 70" television, Wi-Fi, wireless presentation, and wheelchair access.
Superfast WiFi available throughout the building, including all guest rooms and public areas.
All rooms include a mini fridge stocked with complimentary water.
All guest rooms are air conditioned.
In-room dining available.
Hotel gift vouchers available for purchase — useful for stays, dining, or experiences.
Round-the-clock front desk service.
Daily room servicing included.
Dry cleaning and laundry services available at additional charge.
33 spaces at the rear of the hotel. First-come, first-served — spaces cannot be reserved in advance. Charged at £20 per day via the Front Desk.
State-of-the-art fitness room with cardio and weight lifting equipment. No pool or spa on-site.
BUILD YOUR HOTEL INDIGO DURHAM PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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