County Durham celebrates tranquillity

County Durham is aiming to become Britain’s most peaceful place by hosting a week long celebration of tranquillity in September for stressed out Britons.

Durham hosts UK Peace and Tranquillity Week from September 7-13 and the county has unveiled a calendar of events designed to lower blood pressure, alleviate stress and offer escape from fast paced modern living.

The northern county, situated between Yorkshire and Northumberland in North East England, is already the fourth most tranquil place in Britain according to a national tranquillity map compiled by the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Melanie Sensicle, chief executive of the County Durham Tourism Partnership, said: “Crowds and persistent noise, experienced by many of the UK’s urban areas, leave people feeling stressed and vulnerable to health problems, which is why UK Peace and Tranquillity Week is a much-needed antidote for those leading a fast-paced lifestyle. It’s hard to find a better place to escape to than Durham.”

Relaxing events will run throughout UK Peace and Tranquillity Week. A classical string quartet will perform outside UNESCO World Heritage Site Durham Cathedral and Castle and the country gardens, maze and mediaeval hall at Crook Hall and Gardens will be lit by thousands of candles.

Visitors to The Bowes Museum in Teesdale will be able to learn about the ancient Chinese energy art of Chi Kung, while fans of photography and painting can attend free workshops with experts in the Durham Dales and along the Durham Heritage Coast.

A mobile massage station, offering free Indian Head massage, will also be touring the county providing stress relief to shoppers and office workers.

The tranquillity map by CPRE canvassed people’s opinions on what helped them feel peaceful and tranquil and then identified the places in the UK where these experiences were easiest to find.

Durham scored highly because its expansive purple heather covered Dales, picture perfect historic city and heritage coastline offered people the opportunities to:

• Hear birdsong
• See a beautiful natural landscape
• Hear the sound of the ocean
• Breathe in fresh air

The studies also found that tranquillity can reduce stress, improve health by reducing blood pressure, soothe anxiety and improve mental performance.

Full details of all the events in UK Peace and Tranquillity Week can found by logging onto thisisdurham.com/relax.

People wishing to travel to Durham for UK Peace and Tranquillity Week can also benefit from a range of special offers on accommodation in the county, including three nights for the price of two, and 25 per cent off at hotels, guest houses, country cottages and B&B’s. Log onto: thisisdurham.com for more details.