The Bailey, or The Peninsula, is an historic area in the centre of Durham, England. It is shaped like a peninsula thanks to a sharp meander in the River Wear, formed by isostatic adjustment of the land. The name 'The Bailey' derives from it being the 'outer bailey' of the Norman motte and bailey-style castle nearby. Access to the area is restricted by the Durham City congestion charge, which started in 2002 and is the UK's oldest such scheme.