The historic city of Durham is still dominated today by its Norman cathedral and castle, which were designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986, but it is also now a major centre for the county. Founded on a high outcrop on a peninsula above the River Wear as the burial place of St Cuthbert and St Bede, it soon became a leading shrine in medieval England. Loyal to the king in the Civil War, the cathedral and castle suffered under Cromwell’s rule but during the Restoration they were restored along with the rest of the city. The centre of Durham City itself has changed little in the last 200 years, although in more recent decades the commercial districts have been renovated and the population has continued to grow in the outlying villages.

Durham: The Postcard Collection contains a remarkable selection of old postcards that give a visual record of life in the city from the beginning of the last century, showing how the city and its community have adapted and changed over the years. This fascinating collection of images will be of interest to those who have lived in Durham or know it well.