Vennels

The vennels around the City centre form an important part of the unique character and identity of Durham.  The historic nature of many of the alleyways, lanes and courts that constitute the vennels lends them a particular importance within the City, and many are valued as ‘secret’ or undiscovered corners within the overall vibrant street network.

They are assumed by many to be an underexploited resource just waiting for new uses, but a range of small, principally independent, businesses occupy many of the premises fronting onto the vennels including small retailers and workshops, cafés, bars, and restaurants.  There are also pockets of residential development, both private and associated with the University.

Many of the vennels function as rear servicing and access points for retail and commercial premises on the main street frontages.  They are also used for bin storage and vehicle parking, with air conditioning units, ventilation and duct work also located on adjoining building elevations.  In this respect, as well as being historic routes, the City’s vennels have become part of the day to day working and functioning of Durham and therefore have a crucial, though not glamorous, role to play as “mechanical and electrical ducts” – the City centre’s pipework.  Better care could be taken in the future to reduce this visual clutter.  In addition, given that they are often ‘secondary’ spaces within the City, to the rear of buildings that front main streets and spaces, some of the vennels are poorly overlooked with few windows and doors related to them. 

Within the Central quarter there are seven key vennels; Back Silver Street and Fowlers Yard are dealt with above.  The remaining five are:

 
•    Moatside Lane;
•    Saddler’s Lane and Saddlers’ Yard;
•    Drury Lane;
•    Elvet Arch: and
•    Reform Place.