Durham is Ceremonial County, located in North East England. The county has a population of over 500,000 people. The county town in Durham is Durham City. Other major towns include Darlington, Shildon and Stockton. 

Durham is well known for its award winning attractions including Bleamish Museum, which tells the history ofDurham through the industrial revolution. The museum is unlike any other museum across the UK, as it is spread across 300 acres of the countryside and is home to many original historic buildings which have been bought as part of the attraction. Also popular is Durham Cathedral, which forms part of the Durham UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Durham is also known for its outside attractions including an impressive Botanic Gardens and High Force waterfall. The Durham Dales is a large area of landscape in the west of County Durham, part of the North Pennines of England. The Dales consist of a series of exposed moorlands, hills and mountains, along with the dales (valleys) from which the area gets its name. The valleys include Teesdale and Weardale. 

Durham is home to many famous current and former residents including Rowan Atkinson who was born in Consett and spent his early years studying at the Choristers School, along with Tony Blair who was also a former student at this school. Other famous residents include Katie Adie (TV Journalist), Minette Walters (novelist) and Sir Bobby Robson (football manager).