Location

Big Heart on the Big Hill over the river  

Hild Bede is neither a ‘Hill;’ nor a ‘Bailey’ College. We are Durham’s riverside College, spread out over sixteen acres of parkland along the northern bank of the Wear just as runs into the heart of the City. 

College at Riverside comprises a range of buildings including the “Hild building”; home of the historic St Hild’s College and its Joachim room, several blocks of accommodation and our mighty Caedmon Complex, home to a full-size theatre stage, the dining room and our bar and social area, the ‘Vernon Arms’. The School of Education is on site in the “Bede building’; which was home to the College of St Bede. The magnificent Art Noveau listed chapel of St Bede sits beside this. Other historic elements include war memorial and you can enjoy finding the many other memorials and plaques recording people and events associated with the College. These include a 170 million year old ammonite embedded in a wall which is synonymous with St Hild and also relates to our motto.   

Hild Bede is beside the heart of the city and also has the quiet and attractive feel of being in parkland. We have lots of outdoor space and places to walk, sit and enjoy the views across the City and Old Racecourse and towards the Cathedral. 

Where to find us

Hild Bede sits just off the main A690 road leading into Durham City centre. We have a signed entrance off the Gilesgate roundabout.  

The College sits long the hill below the main road and on land running right down to the riverside – to which we have direct access by footpaths. There are walking routes to the Cathedral and Bailey (10 minutes) and to the main Mountjoy site (15-20 mins). The Hill Colleges and Durham Business School are 25 mins away by foot. You can walk to Maiden Castle and the sports centre and fields in 15 minutes.  

By Bus 

The Number 65 bus runs from Milburngate stand A at the bottom of North road in Durham and drops off outside the College. The numbers 20.60.63.64 & 65 all run from Milburngate stand A and drop off at “The Chains” near the Woodman pub at the top of Claypath and you would cross over the footbridge to get to the college. 

Park and Ride 

The park and ride service is located on the Howland farm Site, by the junction of the A1 and the A690 and at Sniperley and the buses run every 10 minutes going into the city centre. The tickets are at a cost of £1.70 which last all day. 

By Train 

Durham railway station is the railway station for the city of Durham on the East Coast Main Line. The station is managed By National Express East Coast. Despite its small functional capacity the station is a principal stop on the East Coast Main Line and is called at by many intercity services travelling the route. The travel time between Durham and London Kings Cross, 254 mi south, is around three hours. Buses and taxi run regularly from outside of the station into the town centre. 

By Car 

From the A1 (M) heading south 

From the motorway exit, take the third exit from the Roundabout signposted A690 Durham. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit straight into the college site and follow the car park signs. 

From the A1 (M) heading north 

From the motorway exit, take the first exit from the Roundabout signposted A690 Durham. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit straight into the college site and follow the car park signs. 

From the A167 

After the Honest Lawyer Hotel turn right at the next roundabout and follow the signs into Durham city. Going straight over all of the traffic lights. A the roundabout next to the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre take the 3rd exit and stay in the outside lane up to the next roundabout taking your 4th exit into the college site and follow the car park signs.