Corporate Housing in Durham

Learn about the top employers in Durham and their contributions to the local economy. This section highlights key businesses and organisations that play a significant role in the community and shape the city's vibrant economic landscape.

Do you mean the city of Durham (the cathedral city) or the wider County Durham area? I can list the top five employers for either — which would you like?

Explore the diverse transport options available in Durham, from efficient public transportation systems to convenient road networks. Whether you're commuting to work or exploring the city, this section will give you an overall look at the available transportation systems.

Public Transit System
- Rail (Durham station) - Serves the city on the East Coast Main Line with frequent regional and inter-city services (operators include LNER and Northern) giving direct and frequent connections to Newcastle, Darlington, York, Leeds and London King’s Cross; station is within easy walking distance of the city centre and University.
- Local buses - Dense local and regional bus network serving the city, university, suburbs and surrounding County Durham; services are run by operators such as Go North East (major operator) and other regional firms, with frequent routes on main corridors and more limited services evenings/weekends.
- Park & Ride services - Park-and-ride sites on approaches to the city provide frequent bus links into the centre to reduce city-centre traffic, aimed at commuters, shoppers and tourists (operated on scheduled timetables with seasonal variations).
- Coach & long-distance bus services - National and regional coach operators provide occasional direct and through services to major UK cities and airports (useful for lower-cost intercity travel and connections not covered by rail).
- Taxis and private hire / app-based services - Licensed taxis, private-hire vehicles and app-based ride-hailing operate across the city for on-demand point-to-point travel; taxi ranks located at the station and in the city centre.
- Community transport & accessible services - Community minibuses, volunteer car schemes and Dial-a-Ride style services support those with mobility needs and areas with limited scheduled bus coverage.

Major Highways
- A1(M) / A1 - Primary north–south trunk route providing rapid access north to Newcastle and south to Darlington and the national motorway network (A1(M) links further south to the M1 corridor).
- A690 - Major east–west route connecting Durham city centre to Sunderland, and to the A1/A1(M) routes; important for local commuting and regional access.
- A167 - Key local trunk road running through/near Durham and providing an alternative north–south link alongside the A1 corridor, connecting to Newcastle and Darlington.
- A689 - Connects Durham westwards to Bishop Auckland and the surrounding towns; important for local and cross-county trips.
- A688 / A177 (local arterial roads) - Series of arterial routes linking the city to nearby towns and rural areas, supporting commuter and freight movements across County Durham.

Cycling Infrastructure
- Cycle network & routes - A mixture of on-road cycle lanes, widened/shared-use footways and off-road greenway paths and signed cycle routes linking the city centre, university, suburbs and nearby villages (including connections into parts of the National Cycle Network); central Durham’s medieval streets limit segregation in places, but local councils have been improving routes, signage and bike parking to encourage active travel.

Recent and Upcoming Improvements
- Station area & accessibility improvements - Ongoing station and forecourt upgrades and better pedestrian links around Durham station aimed at improving interchange between rail, bus, walking and cycling and enhancing accessibility for passengers.
- Park-and-ride and bus service enhancements - Investment in park-and-ride capacity and timetable improvements to reduce city-centre congestion and provide more reliable, frequent public transport links (including targeted seasonal/tourist service upgrades).
- Highway & junction upgrades - Localised A1/A1(M) junction improvements, resurfacing and targeted capacity works on key approaches to Durham to improve traffic flow, safety and reliability on the primary road network.
- Active travel & cycling schemes - Delivery of local authority-funded active travel projects (cycle lane extensions, improved crossing points, secure cycle parking) backed by national government funds to encourage walking and cycling for short trips.
- Bus fleet & service modernisation - Gradual introduction of newer, lower-emission buses on some routes, digital ticketing improvements and real-time passenger information to make bus travel more attractive and reliable.
- EV charging & low-emission infrastructure - Expansion of public electric vehicle charging points across the city and council-led initiatives to support low-emission transport and future-proof commuter options.

In Durham, finding the right corporate housing can be challenging - especially within budget all year round. That is where we help companies, contracting consultants, professionals and business executives find the right place to stay when working away from home. Our properties offer the perfect serviced accommodation with a range of central and easy-access locations in Durham. Whether it be one week, one month or one year - and one person or a full team, we have flexible housing options to suit you.