Kathedra
Statue In Durham, County Durham
A stone chair of carved gargoyles situated in Durham on the banks of the river Wear.
This piece by sculptor Colin Wilbourn looks like a plain stone throne from the front, but the back has intricate carvings of gargoyles. Created in 1988, the chair is known by many names; The Gargoyle Chair, The Storyteller's Chair, The Peace Seat and Order and Chaos, but it's official title is Kathedra.
Based on the name for the Bishop's raised throne, the 'Cathedra'. It is said the seat was inspired by the idea of sanctuary, which could be found at nearby Durham Cathedral.
The seat is a great place to sit and watch the wildlife on the river or people-watch the crossings on Prebends Bridge.
Get 2 points if you have visited this place. Already visited by 95 VIPs.
Login to the VIP area to add places to your bucket list, mark them as visited and more importantly see where you rank on the league table.
How To Find Kathedra
Where To Park For Kathedra?
Lat / Long
54.777019, -1.574097
What three words
Parking is available at Prince Bishops Car Park - DH1 3UJ
Contributed by Rachel Hagar
Adventurer, amateur photographer, and listophile. I love finding new and unusual places, especially a good waterfall or a place with Tudor era history, due to my small obsession with Henry VIII. I try to get out and about in the fresh air whenever I can, dragging my daughter along for the ride, to get her (and me) away from screens and devices.
More Places from Rachel
More Places In Durham
Find more fabulous places in Durham, County Durham and if you know of a place we haven't listed, then let us know.
Oriental Museum
Museum Durham County DurhamA museum containing collections from cultures and histories of northern Africa to Asia including more than 30,000 objects of art, textiles, ceramics, and manuscripts.
Heritage Blues (The Pitman)
Statue Durham County DurhamA Miner kneeling testing the air with his safety lamp, by Ray Lonsdale.
Kingsgate Footbridge
Bridge Durham County DurhamModernist footbridge completed without using scaffolding in 1963
More Statues
So this statue wasn't enough and you want more? Don't worry we have you covered.
Derwentwater Monument
Statue Hexham NorthumberlandA Celtic cross, commemorating the lives of James and Charles Radcliffe, Earls of Derwentwater, Viscounts Langley.
Temple Of The Muses
Statue Melrose BordersA temple containing four bronze statues depicting the "Four Seasons" dedicated to poet James Thomson.
Herring Girl
Statue North Shields Tyne And WearA Corten Steel sculpture by Ray Lonsdale to honour the Herring Girls.
Find Walks To Kathedra
Find which walks will visit Kathedra and plan your next adventure.
Durham Riverside
6km (4 miles) Durham County DurhamA walk following both sides of the River Wear in Durham finding lots of gems including the Durham Cow and the Count's House.
Never Miss A Fabulous Place
If you are afraid of missing out on all the fabulous places we post, or just want to be the first to know, then sign up to the Fabulous North.
Each week we will email you all the brand new places that we visit.
Sign Up To Alerts
Find Us On Facebook
We post all our new places daily on our Facebook Groups page, so join the group today and be notified when we add a new place.
Join Our Facebook GroupKathedra was listed in Statue // County Durham // Durham