Bowburn
With a small, close-knit community and the attractions and industry of a city less than 10 minutes away, the village of Bowburn provides the best of both worlds – with the added bonus of fantastic transport links. Sitting just off junction 61 of the A1, Bowburn is a popular commuter town with everything you need for day-to-day life. Served by a number of local amenities, residents of Bowburn also benefit from the many shops, eateries, attractions and job opportunities of Durham, which is just over 4 miles away. If you like a village feel and the options of a thriving city, this could be the place for you.
Pop to the shops
Bowburn itself has a small yet well-rounded range of facilities, including two convenience stores, a medical practice, pharmacy, sandwich bar and two takeaways. One particular asset to the village is Bowburn Community Centre, which hosts a range of activities including social groups, exercise classes, educational classes, fairs, lunch clubs, seminars and parties. For a huge range of shops, bars, restaurants and entertainment venues, you need only head up the road to the historic city of Durham. Within the cobbled streets and charming period buildings there’s a great selection of high street and independent stores, plus supermarkets, food outlets and nightlife. Visit the modern Riverwalk Shopping Centre to shop with friends and enjoy great views of Durham’s magnificent castle.
Plenty to do
However you like spending your free time, you’re sure to find something that appeals here. For lovers of the outdoors, Bowburn has a park with excellent playground facilities and for something more scenic you could head to Crowtrees or Cassop Vale nature reserves – both just a few miles away, they provide a quiet space to stop and enjoy nature. Or, travel half an hour west to reach the edge of the stunning North Pennines AONB. If you prefer taking in some culture there are many places to explore in and around Durham, such as the castle, Museum and Heritage Centre, Crook Hall medieval manor and gardens and the Oriental Museum.
Education for all
Bowburn is a relatively small village however, it does have a nursery and a primary school which is rated ‘Good’ by Oftsed. A wider range of primary schools can be found just a couple of minutes away in neighbouring villages such as Coxhoe and High Shincliffe. For older children there’s Durham Johnston Comprehensive School (Outstanding) 5.2 miles away, The Oaks Secondary School (Outstanding) 6.5 miles away and Belmont Community School (Good) 6.3 miles away. Further qualifications can be obtained at Durham Sixth Form Centre and the prestigious Durham University.
Excellent transport links
One of the selling points of Bowburn is its fantastic location for travel and commuting. The village is right next to junction 61 of the A1, Britain’s longest road, putting many major centres in the North East within easy commuting distance. Newcastle, Darlington, Sunderland and Stockton-on-Tees can all be reached in around half an hour or less, while Leeds, Harrogate and York can all be reached in less than an hour and a half. For getting around by public transport, Bowburn is part of the bus network that covers the local area and the nearest train station is in Durham for connections across the UK.