Durham in August

April through September gives you the best weather and longest days - crucial when you're spending time outdoors exploring the riverbanks. May and June are perfect: mild temperatures, spring flowers in the Botanic Garden, and students still around to keep the pubs lively. July and August bring crowds but also summer events like the Durham Regatta. September offers golden light perfect for cathedral photography and fewer tourists. Winter has its charms - the cathedral looks magical dusted with snow - but daylight fades by 4 PM and riverside walks lose their appeal. Avoid the first two weeks of October when 20,000 students descend on the city, making accommodation scarce and pubs unbearably crowded.