As a Harry Potter enthusiast, have you ever found yourself yearning to roam the enchanting corridors of Hogwarts? Immerse yourself in a world of magic, and wonder and unravel the mysteries within its ancient walls!!! Well, believe it or not, there’s a place where this dream can become a reality. Durham Cathedral has been recognized as one of the real-life locations that inspired the depiction of Hogwarts in the beloved Harry Potter films.
It has a remarkable resemblance to the fictional castle. This majestic structure allows visitors to step into the magical world of J.K. Rowling’s creation. Join us as we explore the architectural marvel of Durham Cathedral. In this place, fact meets fantasy. And every stone tells a story as captivating as the tales spun within the pages of our favourite wizarding books.
Getting to know Durham through the “pull” of a friend
On a beautiful summer day in 2021, my friend told me that after finishing her overseas further education exams. She got offers from four universities, UCL, KCL, Edinburgh and Durham, with A*A*A grades. I was instantly delighted that my friend would choose a G5 university like UCL as a matter of course. Still, I didn’t expect my friend to tell me without hesitation that she would select Durham to study her favourite history subject. It made me freeze for a long time. Still, Durham University was beyond my limited knowledge of famous British universities.
As it turns out, much of what made my friend’s ambition so strong. It was the influence of her most admired and trusted history tutor. A graduate of Durham University and one of the most popular teachers at her international high school. This teacher gave her insight into Durham’s excellence in education, especially history and alumni references. In this way, my friend turned his head from UCL, his first choice, to Durham.
I later started to learn about it from all sides. I was shocked to learn that Durham University, except for Oxbridge, is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United Kingdom. Moreover, the castle on the campus is also a world-class cultural heritage. The whole campus is also known as one of the most beautiful universities in Britain.
The University of Durham, which my friend firmly chose, is located in County Durham, England. It is a public research university established in 1832. With the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, it is the only remaining traditional college system university in England.
The Times once described the centuries-old university as “Real Durham has long been the best alternative to Oxford and Cambridge. Attracting many students from middle-class and wealthy families.”
In addition to its long history, Durham University is a highly prestigious top university in the UK. It is known for its excellent teachers, rigorous teaching and simple school spirit. Above all, it is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and the UK mainland. Its reputation is beyond many famous schools, along with Oxbridge and St. Anne’s, LSE, and Imperial College.
And so it goes, having read various texts and messages from friends. Also learnt bit by bit about Durham’s past and present. Finally decided on this choice.
Thankfully, as a good friend of international students. I finally left last December (during the domestic epidemic). And then embarked on a family visit to Durham. To visit the friends we’ve been thinking about day and night. And to ease the curiosity and anticipation of Durham in our hearts.
Haha fan’s Magic Academy, and the castle with the black robes
Durham University is also known as the real version of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Firstly, the Hogwarts style is inherent because many Harry Potter films were set in Durham.
Secondly, Durham, as one of the three remaining collegiate universities in the UK, more than half of the colleges are known as “Black Robe Colleges”. The black-robed students come out in a row in many formal events, like sacred and exciting scenery. If coupled with a broomstick that can fly, it looks like the 21st-century Harry Potter world.
If you’ve seen Harry Potter, you’re no stranger to the college system of British universities. Simply put, it is the college system inherited by three ancient universities, Oxbridge and Durham. However, the colleges at Durham University are the colleges of life, which are responsible for the students’ food, clothing, living and after-school life.
The most exciting thing is that the distinctive colleges of life determine your dormitory location, living conditions. And whether you need to wear black robes to participate in the college’s activities but also have their proud badges and exclusive history and culture.
Durham Castle, which is linked to Durham University, is one of the biggest attractions of the city and the University. It is worth noting that the Castle is now over 900 years old, along with Durham Chapel, is a United Nations World Heritage Site. It is now one of Durham University’s campuses. Who would have thought it? That monuments nearly 1,000 years old could still contribute their precious and rare values to students worldwide?
Luxurious and Cosy Student Accommodation in Durham to make you feel at home
Student Castle Durham, Durham
Location: 20 Claypath, Durham, England DH1 1RH
Student Castle is ideally located in the heart of Durham city centre. Just a two-minute walk to supermarkets, restaurants, bars, cinemas and more.
The student accommodation has several social spaces: students can work out in the gym, study in the Study Room, go to the Cinema Room and much more. The flats are available in Flats (en-suite bathrooms, shared kitchen), Twin Rooms (twin beds in the room, ideal for sharing with friends), and Studios (private bathrooms and kitchens).
Elvet Studios, Durham
Elvet Studios student accommodation are conveniently located just a 15-minute walk from Bill Bryson Library and the city centre.
The student apartment have 112 studio flats of all sizes to suit all budgets. There is also a newly refurbished communal lounge with study and relaxation areas. The apartments surround a sizeable expansive lawn. There you can chat with three or five friends on a sunny afternoon.
Chapel Heights, Durham
Overview
Chapel Heights is a well-designed student accommodation with modern facilities. In addition, it is the only flat in Durham with dishwashers in the rooms. Each room in the flats has a double bed, TV, storage space and other facilities with en-suite bathroom and private kitchen. The apartments also have a fully-equipped gym for students’ exercise needs. Students can also enjoy a barbecue with friends in the barbecue area on the outdoor patio.
Transport
The student flats are situated in the heart of Durham city. And the city centre is about a 10-minute away. The Education School, St Hild & St Bede College are about 5 minutes walk away. The other colleges of Durham University are easily accessible by public transport, with the nearest bus stop only 5 minutes away.
Durham-a city of history
A desirable place for students to study
Many universities in Europe are unlike the domestic, walled enclosure for the school and the “city” isolated. And the area where the integration of both independent and interdependent is. It is in this environment that Durham University has become the most desirable place for students to study.
An excellent picture of the landscape
Looking around, something makes people feel even more emotional. That is not only the campus full of those magnificent old buildings of the era but also the late construction of various modern school buildings around. Without contradiction, these buildings reflect each other in the quiet and beautiful Durham, constituting a wonderful picture of the landscape.
The incredible beauty of Durham
You can spent a whole week in County Durham, aimlessly wandering around the beautiful old city every day. At the same time, walking along the banks of the river that runs through the centre of town is really relaxing. Although this is a small place, although there are a lot of hills, public transport is not very convenient. Basically, a pair of feet can be measured through the not-very-big centre area. But even though the place is small, it allowed us to see the incredible beauty of Real Durham in these few days.
Durham Cathedral is a World Heritage Site along with Durham Castle. It is also the historical and cultural pride of County Durham and one of the filming locations for Harry Potter. Built in 1093, it is one of only two English churches (the other being Canterbury Cathedral) on the World Heritage List.
It is also famous for the historic St Cuthbert burial place, around whose grave the whole church is built. Therefore, this majestic cathedral has long been associated with Durham University. It has been the venue for Durham’s commencement and graduation ceremonies.
The people of Durham, like most Britons, have a deep sense of nostalgia for, and even reverence for, history and cultural traditions. Inside the city, you may not see any fancy shops or modern buildings. However, you can always see well-preserved century-old buildings or artefacts that commemorate our ancestors and history.
Conclusion
This place is not merely a structure of stone and mortar but a living testament to the power of imagination and the magic within our everyday world. Remember that it’s not just about the physical resemblance to Hogwarts but the spirit of wonder and discovery it embodies.
So next time, if you yearn for a touch of the wizarding world, know that a piece of it resides in the heart of Durham. Let the magic of Durham guide your journey, inspire your dreams, and illuminate your path towards a future filled with enchantment and adventure.
