WELCOME TO COUNTY DURHAM'S BEST PRIVATE SCHOOLS

The isbi Schools Directory Guide To The Top Private Schools & Colleges In County Durham

For anyone planning a move to or within County Durham in South East England we have collated information below about different places to live, schools, estate agents and other information we think useful for relocating within this fantastic County Durham .

Offering some of the best living anywhere in Great Britain, County Durham's famous British cities and towns include Durham, Darlington and Billington.

County Durham has a great choice of high quality UK private schools, beautiful countryside, lots of activities and excellent housing - with a fantastic range of different properties to call home, from country mansions and estates, cottages and bungalows to new build executive housing, family townhouses and apartments.

"County Durham offers endless possibilities; explore breathtaking scenery, discover award-winning attractions and enjoy world-class exhibitions, festivals and events. From city breaks to coast and countryside escapes Durham is a perfect move away from bustling city life. Seek out hidden gems in market towns and villages in the Durham Dales, relax and enjoy peace and tranquillity on the Durham Coast, or get outdoors and active with walking and cycling routes revealing unforgettable views across the county. And when it’s time to refuel you’ll be spoilt for choice with award-winning eateries and delicious local produce." This is Durham

County Durham is one of the most northern counties in England, bordering North Yorkshire to the south, Cumbria to the west and Northumberland and Tyne and Wear to the north.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was inspired by the city of Durham! The city has over 569 listed buildings, making it a place of great beauty. CS Lewis had a county home in Durham and it is hard to miss the similarities between the snowy riverbanks of the city and CS Lewis’s mythical land.

TOP PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN COUNTY DURHAM, ENGLAND, UK

Have you booked to attend any School Open Days & Open Events yet?

Visit the comprehensive isbi School Open Days Guide with the latest School Open Days & Open Events dates and timings for School Open Days happening near you.

The isbi School Open Days & Open Events listings have the information you need on Open Days & Open Events happening at your favourite schools soon.

We highly recommend attending School Open Days - they are a great way to learn about and to experience a school and discover if it is the best school for you - or alternatively ask for a private tour of your favourite schools, when it suits you.

Looking for a prestigious Independent (private) school in County Durham, GB?

If you are thinking of moving to live in County Durham (or you already live in County Durham but are considering relocating) and you and your family are researching some of the best private schools in County Durham there is a big choice of high quality County Durham schools, with a number of the County Durham ’s highest ranking Independent schools considered to be some of the best in the UK.

County Durham’s private education sector features day schools and boarding schools, girls’ schools, boys’ schools and co-educational (mixed) schools, including leading private Nurseries, Prep Schools, Independent Secondary and Sixth Form schools and colleges.

Find Private Schools In County Durham, UK (Or "Private Schools Near Me")

Developed over the last 36+ years, the isbi School Search Directory is one of the largest and most comprehensive private schools directories available, helping thousands of families to find, compare and select good schools since the 1980s.

> You can search for private schools with a reputation for excellence in County Durham and in the city of Durham and towns of Darlington and Billington by using our Private Schools Directory and Independent Schools Finder (powered by isbi's School Search Directory) or by clicking on the names of the schools and colleges listed below to see detailed profiles with photos, videos, maps etc.

> With our expanded school search technology you can filter your search by the type of school you are looking for such as day and boarding, gender, age range, academic study, religious affiliation, school fees, scholarships and bursaries, open days etc.

> You can also focus your search on just private Pre-Prep and Prep schools or on Independent Senior and Sixth Form schools and colleges, or view search results for all of them together.

Please explore isbi.com for detailed information and guides about good schools of all types and for open days, school and college and news, articles and blogs with details of school associations, glossaries and explanations about examinations and qualifications and expert advice about independent education at private schools and colleges around the UK and worldwide.

Top Private Independent Secondary Schools & Colleges In County Durham, UK

Some of the best Independent Secondary schools and colleges and Sixth Form schools and colleges in County Durham, Great Britain providing a top-tier, world-class British day and boarding single-sex and mixed education for boys and girls include:

Top Private Pre-Preparatory & Preparatory Schools In County Durham, UK

Some of the best Pre-Prep and Prep schools in County Durham, Great Britain providing a top-tier, world-class British day and boarding single-sex and mixed education for boys and girls aged from 3 years to 11 or 13 years include:

Special Needs Schools In County Durham, UK

Some of the best Special Needs schools in County Durham, Great Britain providing a top-tier, world-class British Special Needs and Special Education Needs education for boys and girls (single-sex and mixed) include:

MOVING TO COUNTY DURHAM? RELOCATING TO DURHAM?

Where To Live In County Durham, England, UK

The most popular British cities and towns in the County Durham area (GB) include, with approximate population numbers:

> County Durham, County Durham, UK

Durham (48,000), Consett (25,800), Peterlee (23,000), Bernard Castle (5,400)

> Hartlepool, County Durham, UK

Billingham (35,100), Coatham (5,300), Greatham (2,100), Elwick (1,000)

> Darlington, County Durham, UK

Darlington (92,300), Heightington (2,300), Middleton St George (3,700), Hurworth (3,200)

> Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, UK

Stockton (85,000), Ingleby Barwick (20,300) Thornaby-on-Tees (24,700)

FOCUS ON... LIVING IN DURHAM, ENGLAND, UK

Durham is a very popular place to live and many people move to Durham each year, or to near Durham and the surrounding area, from around the United Kingdom and abroad.

Many of those moving to Durham are escaping more urban living in London or other larger cities, deciding to relocate to the County Durham capital to enjoy a different pace of life and the historic and elegant surroundings of a prosperous city with great facilities and leisure amenities, high quality housing and schools, fantastic pubs, restaurants and sports and popular cultural events, arts and music.

Ten Things To Know About Durham, England, UK

> FACT 1: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was inspired by the city of Durham! CS Lewis had a county home in Durham and it is hard to miss the similarities between the snowy riverbanks of the city and CS Lewis’s mythical land.

> FACT 2 : Durham City RFC is the second oldest club in the County, it was founded one year after The Rugby Union in 1872 and their gold kit is in reference to the Cathedral’s Sanctuary Knocker.

> FACT 3: Durham hosts a regatta each year on the River Wear and has been doing so since 1834. It is the second oldest regatta in Britain and attracts thousands of visitors each year, with people referring to it as ‘the Henely of the North’.

> FACT 4: Durham was the birthplace of modern English Mustard! Mrs Clements, a woman living in durham invented a new method of extracting the mustard seed in 1720. Her recipe even became a favourite of King George I.

> FACT 5: Durham is an area of high conservation. In fact, the whole centre of Durham is protected for conservation purposes, the city contains over 569 listed buildings right in the centre. Durham Cathedral is perhaps the most famous, especially since it was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

> FACT 6: The tallest man in Europe was born in Durham! Neil Fingleton was recorded as 7ft 7.56 inches in 2007.

> FACT 7: Durham Cathedral was founded all the way back in 1093 AD, and is known in full as the Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham.

> FACT 8: The origins of Durham can be traced back to AD 995. A group of monks decided to build a church on the land that the city now rests on in order to bury the body of Saint Cuthbert.

> FACT 9: Durham has hosted the largest socilaist trade union event in the world since 1871. The Durham Miners’ Gala is held on the second Saturday in July every year and is associated with the rich heritage of the Durham Coalfield.

> FACT 10: The name Durham originates from its hilly geography. The name combines the two words “dun” and “holme” together they mean “hill island”.

Where To Live In Durham, UK

Durham and the surrounding area offers a huge choice of high quality, premium and luxury property to meet the needs of any family, whether wanting a cottage, townhouse, large apartment, mansion or country estate, with or without granny annex, garden or swimming pool. There are also property development and investment opportunities too, with land available to purchase and properties in need of renovation.

From central city living to rural, country lifestyles, Durham and the areas near Durham are full of bustling districts and leafy suburbs, lush green areas, charming Crescents and estates, rolling countryside, vibrant high streets, busy neighbourhoods and friendly residential communities.

Some of the popular residential areas include:

Crossgate Durham, Allergate Durham, Gilesgate Durham, South Bailey Durham, North End Durham, Chevallier Court Durham, South Street Durham, Holywood Durham, Westhouse Avenue Durham, High Street South Durham, Gledstone Durham, Billingham Durham

Commuting To And From Durham By Rail Or Road

Relocating to Durham is especially popular with those happy to work from home most of the time but needing to occasionally commute to other places for work.

Others are happy to commute more regularly to Newcastle upon Tyne, Leeds, Edinburgh, London and other locations for work.

Travel times to key destinations by road and rail include:

> Durham To London: London is about 270 miles by road from Durham via the A1 and M1, driving to the centre of London from Durham normally takes under 5 hours. There is a very regular train service to London from Durham, with trains taking from 4 hours 20 minutes to 4 hours 40 minutes to get to London. It is also possible to fly to London from nearby Newcastle upon Tyne, taking 1 hour 15 minutes to London Heathrow.

> Durham To Newcastle upon Tyne: Newcastle upon Tyne is about 20 miles by road from Durham via the A1 and driving to the centre of Newcastle from Durham normally takes under 40 minutes. There is a very regular train service to Newcastle from Durham , with trains taking from 35 minutes to 45 minutes to get to Newcastle.

> Durham To Leeds: Leeds is about 98 miles by road from Durham via the A1 and driving to the centre of Leeds from Durham normally takes under 1 hour 45 minutes. There is a very regular train service to Leeds from Durham , with trains taking from 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours to get to Leeds.

Nearest Airports To Durham, UK

The nearest airport to Durham is Newcastle International Airport (NCL) which is 19 miles away. Other nearby airports include Manchester (MAN) (under 131 miles), Edinburgh (EDI) (under 139 miles) and Leeds Bradford (LBA) (under 88 miles).