Saint John's College. Haughton House, Durham

Saint John’s College, located in the heart of Durham’s historic South Bailey, is one of the city’s most charming hidden gems. Established in 1909 as a Church of England theological college and becoming a full constituent of Durham University in 1919, it stands today as one of only two “recognised colleges”-self‑governing and financially independent within the university structure. The college comprises two halls: John’s Hall, where undergraduate and postgraduate students study any university subject, and Cranmer Hall, an evangelical Anglican theological training centre.

The centerpiece of the college is Haughton House, a graceful Georgian building dating from the early 18th century. Named after Haughton Castle in Northumberland, once home to benefactors of the college, it is Grade II* listed and positioned beautifully behind railings on the South Bailey, just steps from Durham Cathedral and the River Wear. Saint John’s occupies a row of interconnected historic townhouses-many once owned by notable families, including the Bowes‑Lyon dynasty-which gives the interior an amusingly labyrinthine character: staircases that seemingly end in walls and corridors that twist unexpectedly, adding architectural intrigue for curious visitors.

Visitors strolling through Saint John’s College will also encounter the Church of Saint Mary the Less, a Norman chapel rebuilt in the mid‑19th century and adopted as the college chapel in 1919; originally a parish church, it remains in use for both Anglican services and Greek Orthodox worship. Together, these elements-historic architecture, riverside gardens, serene chapel, and proximity to the cathedral-make Haughton House and Saint John’s College a picturesque and evocative stop for anyone exploring Durham’s UNESCO-designated heritage quarter.