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 22 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, 54.777019
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.

The Count's House
Building Durham County DurhamA Grecian style summerhouse on the banks of the River Wear named after a Polish entertainer.

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.

Reveal by Richard Cole
Art Durham County DurhamA tall pyramidical structure made with repurposed stone from a Durham Cathedral turret.
More Statues
So this statue wasn't enough and you want more? Don't worry we have you covered.

Malcolm III Cross
Statue Alnwick NorthumberlandA stone cross marking where Malcolm III, King Of Scotland was slain at the Battle Of Alnwick.

Queen Victoria Statue - Tynemouth
Statue Tynemouth Tyne And WearA statue of Queen Victoria by sculptor Alfred Turner in Tynemouth.

Vampire Rabbit
Statue Newcastle City Centre Tyne And WearThe Vampire Rabbit is a strange and mysterious “grotesque” that can be found above the door at the rear entrance to the historic Cathedral Buildings, adjacent to Newcastle Cathedral.
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 AlertsFind 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 Group