The balcony of the Royal County Hotel was host to many famous celebrities, Prime Ministers and numerous politicians on Miners Gala Day (The Big Meeting) in the days when the Durham coalfield was in full swing.
Caption from Malcolm Fraser
The Royal County Hotel in Old Elvet about 1960. Traffic is crossing the old Elvet Bridge in the background, which was pedestrianised after the new roads and bridges were built in the mid-1960's. Caption from Malcolm Fraser
The 900 year old Durham Castle with Framwellgate Bridge and River Wear in foreground.
Thanks to Jon for correction.
Through traffic was diverted away from this old bridge in the mid 1960's. MF