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Hatfield College, Durham

Hatfield College is in the heart of the City, in the shadow of the Cathedral and World Heritage Site.

Summary

• 18th century buildings
• 19th century buildings
• 20th century buildings
• Breakfast included
• Free car parking (on site)
• No smoking

Facilities

• Shared gardens
• Woodland walks

Food and Drinks

• English breakfast (included)

Nearby recreations

• Recommended walks
• Pub (walking distance)
• Museums (walking distance)
• Gardens
• Recommended restaurants (walking distance)
• Theatre (walking distance)

Hatfield College is situated in the heart of the city, in the shadow of the great Norman Cathedral and World Heritage Site, and on the banks of the River Wear. It is a few hundred yards from all the facilities and amenities that Durham has to offer.

Hatfields’s Melville Building provides 22 twin/double executive-style ensuite bedrooms and two family rooms with a private shower, toilet and hand basin, wardrobe and tea/coffee making facilities, television & radio alarm clock. These rooms have been awarded the "VisitBritain" 4-diamond rating, which confirms them as the best University accommodation available.

The college can also offer standard bedrooms which are fully carpeted, centrally heated and have their own wash basin. Showers and toilets are conveniently located on each floor.

Accommodation is available during University vacations; Easter and throughout July, August and September.

History to the present day

Founded in 1846, Hatfield College is a residential college of the University of Durham. It is right in the city centre, nestling beneath Durham's magnificent World Heritage Cathedral. The College buildings are an interesting blend of Georgian coaching inn, early Victorian room sets and major additions during the last century.

Central to the College is its Dining Hall - among the oldest parts of Hatfield. This historic building had a seventeenth century pedigree and an eighteenth century reputation as a fine coaching inn (The Red Lyon) with dancing, dining and gaming rooms (all still in use for other purposes) and kitchens with stabling which used to be on front of what is now C Stairs.

When Hatfield was founded in 1846, David Melville - the first in a long line of principals and masters - set it up as a model college. This was a revolutionary development in residential higher education. For the first time, student rooms were let furnished, all meals were taken in Hall, expenses were fixed, reasonable and known in advance, cared for and guided by College Officers. Most of this is now considered general practice. However, it many years before it became an accepted model throughout the world. The college is now home to approximately 400 students.

Food and Drinks

Our rates include a full English breakfast served between 8 and 9am in the Georgian Dining Hall.

The College bar is generally open most evenings from 6 to 11pm. Check at Reception for opening times.

Grounds and gardens

The college is set in the middle of Durham city in the shadow of the World Heritage Castle and Cathedral. Either relax in the college quads or take a stroll along the nearby banks of the River Wear.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: DUCAT Ltd, Durham, DH1 3RQ, United Kingdom

Address: Hatfield College, North Bailey, Durham, DH1 3RQ

Check In: From 2pm Check Out: By 10am Luggage can be stored if required.

On arrival please report to the Reception, which is open 24 hours per day.

As the College is in the historic centre of the city, parking is limited. 20 spaces are available in vacation periods to guests of the College but these are subject to availability. To drive to the College you have to enter the city’s congestion charge zone for which a £2 charge is levied when you leave from 10-4 Mon-Sat. Alternatively there is a park and ride scheme in Durham or you can make use of one of the close-by city centre car parks.

Hatfield College is a 5 minute taxi ride (about £3) from Durham Station. All the taxi drivers know the college, so you won't need to give them directions. Alternatively, if you're carrying light luggage, the walk from the station through town is picturesque and will take about 20 minutes. There is a tourist map on the platform.

More photos of Hatfield College, Durham

Exterior

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