The back of a Pointer's pink tabard, showing the logo and Queens Award logo

How to find… in Durham

Durham is small city but it can still be confusing. Durham Pointers are here to help you find your way around.

The Pointers’ Directory

Even though we’re locals, Pointers don’t always know the location of every shop, business and organisation in the city.

However, we are rarely stumped for an answer because we keep the Pointers’ Directory at the Trike in the Market Place. Every year, we visit most of the businesses in the city and compile our famous directory.

It includes:

  • The Directory includes lists of cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaways, coded to include information on the type of cuisine offered and whether they are accessible, dog friendly, show live sport, have a children’s menu and much more.

  • We have information on transport options to key attractions in the Durham area.

  • Local shops, organisations and attractions are listed by type, so we can help guide you to whatever you need

  • We can direct you to local churches. There's a full list here.

    You can also download the This is Durham Guide to Historic Churches

Durham BID Business Directory

The Durham BID business directory lists all the different businesses within the BID business district.

You can find it here.

There is also a very useful new section called Dog Friendly Durham

Public Toilets

To the best of our knowledge these are the general locations and opening times of public toilets in Durham

Durham Market Hall

 

09.00-16.30 Monday to Saturday 

Baby change - Accessible - Radar key

Prince Bishop Shopping Centre

 

09.00-17.00 Monday to Saturday, 11.00-1700 Sunday

Baby change - Accessible

Palace Green

 

08.00-18.00

Baby change - Accessible - Radar key

Wharton Park Visitor Centre

 

10.00-16.30 

Baby change - Accessible

Railway Station Platform 1

 

04.30-22.00 Monday to Saturday, 0730-22.00 Sunday 

Baby change - Accessible - Radar key

Railway Station Platform 2

 

05.30-22.00 Monday to Saturday, 07.30-17.00 Sunday

Baby change - Accessible - Radar key

Freeman’s Quay Leisure Centre

 

06.30-21.30 Monday to Friday, 07.30-19.30 Saturday, 07.30-17.00 Sunday

Baby change - Accessible- Changing Place

Gala Theatre and Cinema

 

10.00-20.30 Monday to Saturday, 14.30-20.30 Suday 

Baby change - Accessible - Radar key

Bus Station

(North Road)

6.00-midnight daily (charge)

Baby change - Accessible- Radar key- Changing Place

Durham Cathedral

 

08.00-18.00 

Baby change - Accessible

The Riverwalk Shopping Centre

 

09.00-17.00

Baby change - Accessible

The Palatine Centre

 

Hours vary

Baby change - Accessible Changing Place

Out of town shopping centres

The Arnison Centre

The Arnison Centre (off the A167 to the north of the city). This outdoor shopping complex has over 20 stores including Marks and Spencer, Boots, Next, Boyes, Poundland, Nike, Sainsbury’s (inc. petrol), Smyths, Asda Living, Halfords, Pets at Home. (Bus no 64 from Claypath to the Arnison Centre)

Dragonville Retail Park

Dragonville Retail Park. (off the A690 to the east of the city) Three clusters of shops including Tesco, Aldi, TKMaxx, Iceland, Lidl, The Range, Boots, Currys, Sports Direct, Dunelm, B&M, Home Bargains, B&Q, Wickes, MacDonalds, Starbucks, Pizza Hut. (Bus no 64 from Claypath to Sherburn goes past this complex - check as not all 64s go there)