A gallery of wallpaper and other images for general interest. This collection consists of images taken in and around the north eastern city of Durham, County Durham.

You may download my wallpaper for personal use only as a desktop background for your computer. My wallpaper may not be copied or reproduced on the web or elsewhere without written permission.

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The west front of the cathedral and the unusual Galilee chapel as viewed from the river bank below.

Below: the towers of the cathedral viewed from within the cloister, the four sided covered walkway connecting the main buildings of the former monastery.

A unique feature in medieval England was that of the combined cathedral-monastery foundation of which Durham was one. All such institutions were designated as priories of the Benedictine order and Canterbury Cathedral in Kent is another such example. After the dissolution of the priory in 1540, the prior and the monks became the first Dean and Chapter of the now protestant cathedral.

The cloisters were substantially rebuilt in the 15th century. The unglazed windows of the cloister walks however appear to be of a post-medieval gothic style?

Left: the large central arched window is that of the former monastic chapter house.

Interior views of the cathedral

Top right: The Galilee chapel is a five aisled building added to the west front of the cathedral. It is unusual both for the design and the position of the chapel. The only comparable example is that of St Joseph's Chapel at the now ruined Glastonbury Abbey in Somerset.

The main west door into the nave was made redundant by this addition and is now blocked by the main altar of the chapel with it's substantial 15th century painted altarpiece. The design of the arcades are believed by some to have been influenced by Islamic architecture.

The tomb in the foreground is that of Bede, the 7th century monk and first known historian of England.

Right: An example of the massive Romanesque architecture of the nave which the cathedral is famed for. The ribbed stone vaults are the earliest known to have been constructed in Europe.

Left: The gothic choir with the elaborate 14th century Neville Screen. Beyond this lies the feretory, a raised platform which once bore the shrine of St Cuthbert, and the chapel of the nine altars with it's dominant rose window. The chapel, effectively a second transept at the east end of the cathedral is another unusual feature, the only other example is to be found at the ruined church of Fountains Abbey in North Yorkshire.

Another well known feature; the great sanctuary knocker on the north door, now the main entrance to the cathedral. Criminals would use this to gain the protection of sanctuary within the cathedral which enabled them to escape prosecution and subsequent execution. They then had to leave within 37 days and exit the country by a designated port, usually Hartlepool.

This is a bronze copy of the 12th century original which is now protected and displayed within the Treasury Museum.

A glimpse of the cathedral from in front of the gatehouse of the Castle, former the residence of the Bishop.

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Copyright Kevin Marriott. All artwork, photography and other contents of this site is the copyright of Kevin Marriott and may not be copied or reproduced on the web or elsewhere without written permission.