Durham Cathedral: Readers choice for Britain's best building 

I am from the US and made a special trip to Durham just to see the cathedral. It is breathtaking in every way. I spent 3 hours there and was aided by a lovely docent who offered to give me private tours to various parts of the building. When you go make sure to see the magnificent brass panel “ I am the Morning Star”, just one of many treasures.

I have visited several times amd feel at home. Thank you for the video-9 minutes well spent even at 3.45am. Blessings and peace to everyone

Did he seriously just sit on Bede?? I'm by no means religious, but that's really not on

Doing my maternal genealogy and adore this short video. I am direct descendant of a Durham. He decided to go to Scotland and fight with Robert the Bruce. My family still carries the Durham name. Thanks.

The ceiling vaults look quadripartite, having 4 bays, (see 5:36) but many written descriptions state they were sexpartite, or 6-bay, vaults. For comparison, Notre Dame de Paris has, or had, sexpartite vaults. The Wikipedia entry (not exactly a scholarly source) for the cathedral has the following: "There is controversy between John James and Malcolm Thurlby on whether these rib vaults were four-part or six-part, which remains unresolved." Perhaps the weaker 6-bay design was replaced by the stronger 4-bay vault at some point. The design for the vaults seems to have been a logical progression from an earlier and simpler ribbed vault design as found in Lessay Abbey in Normandy to the more-complicated architecture at Durham.

Jonathan Glancey seems to display little respect for some of the things in the Cathedral: sitting on Bede's tomb, leaning against an altar, etc.

I know, it doesn't seem like sitting on anyone's burial spot is good...especially when it's a piece of centuries-old stonework with artistic and historic value even if one isn't into religion.

Still Britains best building :)

Not a big fan of religion with, Chris Hob, but these cathedrals are still stunning pieces of architecture, especially considering when these were built.

I gotta visit this place..my last name is Durham..😮

fantastic

Laila (31 today 05 April 2015) woz here when aged 12 (probably on Sunday 28 July 1996). Unfortunately The Shrine of Saint Cuthbert area of The Cathedral was closed off so she has yet to visit The Shrine.

Romanesque-style buildings were not an outgrowth of the Byzantine style, although there are some buildings (like Spoleto's Cathedral in Italy) which have Romanesque and Byzantine elements. This is not quite accurate, but then again, The Guardian rarely is.

I went there today cuz I was in the Durham coister

WTF? The video ends right as the host takes a breath before telling us all the stories that Durham Cathedral has to tell. We don't even get a full explanation of why it's considered Norman Romanesque and not Gothic. Clearly it has all the hallmarks of Gothic architecture: pointed arches, pointed groin vaults supported by buttresses, large windows letting in generous amounts of light through stained glass. It was begun by the Normans in the Romanesque style but as it rose the style changed to Gothic and the result is clearly a transitional style that successfully incorporates elements of both. Since Gothic is most distinctive at the tops of the arches and vaults, the entire effect is almost pure Gothic.

He is trying to talk to Bede in the way he knows best.

I think the biggest Romanesque Cathedral in Europe is situated in Speyer, Germany.

William The Conqueror came to Barking Abbey too.

They used this in Avengers Endgame for some of the pillars in Asgard.

Bill Bryson, ex-US citizen and travel writer was once Chancellor here.

Readers of the guardian? I’m surprised they didn’t chose a mosque

Thank you France!😊

The tomb is really old and st cuthbert was there

Does anybody know the chamber music at the very end of the video?

Does anyone know the choral pieces that accompanied the documentary?

Does anyone know the name of the piece of music which is heard at the beginning of the video? Thanks in advance

As a Durham Lad I've definitely seen better vids than this, to actually sit on the venerable Bedes tomb ?, a quick skit through the cathedral, not impressed.

Weird choice. Lincoln is generally regarded as the 'finest' cathedral in these isles, with Durham sharing runner-up position with Wells and Canterbury; others would favour Salisbury or Ely.

I want to subbtitle for that video how can I get it or can you add subtitle for taht video

He seems too excited O.e

This reminds me of harry potter haha

waluigi

💍

gloom = su-ram

nein!!!

is this in america?

awful building hate religion roll on marxism

Why did he sit on bede