Walkergate Durham

Head through Walkergate and you'll find yourself in the sort of shopping centre that's genuinely useful rather than an afterthought. It's got the usual suspects—Boots, Marks & Spencer, that kind of thing—but it's the independent retailers mixed in that make it worth browsing. The food court area isn't fancy, but it's reliable: you can grab a decent coffee, pick up fresh bits from the food hall, or sit down without feeling like you're in some soulless mall. It's a proper pit stop when you're doing the rounds on Silver Street or heading towards the river.