Durham in the Drizzle – A Return to the City With a Fresh Perspective

With a few hours spare this afternoon, I took the chance to head back into Durham City - somewhere I haven’t explored for a little while. The weather started off grey but dry, which was just fine for a walk and a few photos. I had hoped to get the drone up, but as luck would have it, the rain rolled in, grounding the flying plans. Still, it was great to explore the city from ground level and revisit some favourite spots from new angles.

Prebends Bridge

Durham Observatory

Corn Mill

Fulling Mill

I also managed to capture one location I hadn’t visited before - Durham Observatory, a brilliant little find tucked away on the university grounds. Alongside that, I revisited the likes of Prebends Bridge, the Fulling Mill, and the Old Corn Mill, all familiar places but with fresh light and new vantage points. Even without getting into the air, there’s something about Durham’s winding lanes, riverside walks and historic views that always delivers. Rain or no rain, the city still knows how to show off.

Durham Observatory – A Dome of Discovery in the Heart of the City

Set quietly within the grounds of Durham University, the Durham Observatory is a hidden historic gem, built in 1839for astronomical research. Its compact, octagonal design and domed roof housed state-of-the-art instruments of the time, including a Troughton & Simms telescope. Though it's no longer used for modern research, the building remains a symbol of the city’s deep-rooted connection to science, education and exploration.

I hadn’t captured the observatory before, so getting a few minutes of dry weather to send the drone up was a win. From the air, its unique shape really stands out - a perfect dome nestled in greenery, with the surrounding university buildings adding contrast. It’s small but beautifully formed, and from above, you get a real appreciation for how this quiet structure has held its place in the academic heart of Durham for nearly two centuries.

Prebends Bridge – Durham’s Most Iconic View from the Air

Prebends Bridge, built in 1778, is one of Durham’s most recognisable landmarks—famous for framing the Cathedral and Castle in one sweeping, postcard-perfect view. Originally constructed for private access by the Dean and Chapter, the bridge now serves as a tranquil pedestrian route, curving gracefully over the River Wear in a peaceful loop of the city’s riverside walk.

With a break in the weather, I managed to get the drone up just long enough to capture some fresh aerial angles, and Prebends Bridge never fails to impress from above. The sweeping arches, tree-lined banks, and that jaw-dropping view back to the cathedral all came together beautifully. Seen from the air, you really get a sense of how perfectly this historic structure sits within the landscape—a timeless view, made even more special from above.

The Fulling Mill – History on the River’s Edge

Perched right on the banks of the River Wear, the Fulling Mill is one of Durham’s most distinctive riverside buildings. Dating back to the 18th century, it originally played a role in the textile industry, where wool was cleaned and thickened in the rushing river water. Later, it became part of Durham University, housing the Museum of Archaeology for many years. Though now closed to the public, the building remains a quiet icon of Durham’s industrial and academic past.

Capturing it from the air gave a fresh appreciation of its setting and structure - tucked between the water and the wooded riverbank, with the curve of the Wear wrapping gently around it. The drone revealed just how neatly it fits into the landscape, with the Cathedral rising in the distance behind. Even in grey weather, it looked timeless and peaceful - a hidden fragment of Durham’s working heritage, sitting quietly beneath the city's grander sights.

The Old Corn Mill – A Tucked-Away Piece of Durham’s Working Past

The Old Corn Mill, nestled beside the River Wear just downstream from the cathedral, is a lesser-seen slice of Durham’s industrial heritage. Originally used to grind grain for the surrounding community, it played a vital part in the city’s daily life long before tourism and academia took centre stage. Though the building itself has changed over time, its position and structure still echo its practical, working-class roots.

From above, the drone revealed just how beautifully secluded the Corn Mill is enclosed by trees, river, and shadowed by the towering cathedral above. The angles from the air really show how the building fits into Durham’s layered history, with nature slowly reclaiming the edges. It’s one of those places you might miss on foot, but from the sky, its importance and charm really stand out, a quiet survivor in a city filled with grandeur.

Wrapping Up the Day

Even with the grey skies and incoming drizzle, this afternoon in Durham City turned out to be well worth the effort. It’s easy to take familiar places for granted, but revisiting them - especially with the drone—always brings something fresh. From capturing a new angle of the Fulling Mill and Corn Mill, to finally photographing the Durham Observatory, it felt like seeing the city with a sharper focus and a slower pace.

The real highlight was how different everything looked from above, even places I’ve visited many times. Prebends Bridge, always beautiful from the ground, took on a whole new feel from the air. And although the rain eventually called time on flying, it was a reminder that even a short wander with no set plan can still reveal plenty—especially in a city as layered and historic as Durham. Sometimes it’s not about how far you go, just how closely you look.