Annual highlights include the St Cuthbert’s Day procession in March, World Heritage celebrations in the Spring, Durham University Congregations and the Durham Miners’ Gala in July, Heritage Open Days in September and the Lumiere Festival in November (every two years).  

Please check before you visit.  If you are organising an event, please tell us about it.

World Heritage Day Celebrations 2024!

It’s war and peace on the World Heritage Site on Wednesday 10th April!

We open from 10am with a delicious brunch and guided tour of Durham Castle (charge and pre-booking applies).

The fun continues all day (whatever the weather).

Durham Castle is open free from 12pm and Vanguard Norman soldiers will be battling in the courtyard (last admission 4pm). 

Visitors to the Cathedral can get arty and make one of the 15,000 Peace Doves that will hang in the nave in the summer as part of artist Peter Walker’s new installation (donations welcome).  Access to the Lego cathedral is free.  Charges apply for Cathedral tours, Museum entry and Tower climb.  The Undercroft café and shop will be open and the Cathedral will be selling ice cream on Palace Green.

Palace Green Library is open with free entry from 10am – 5pm.  Discover the breathtaking 17th Century Bishop Cosin’s Library, learn about the World Heritage Site with one of our fabulous volunteers and get hands on with history in the Museum of Archaeology!  There are drop-in crafts and activities from 1-5pm. 

Free talks and tours will be running on the hour every hour from 11am - 4pm from 7 Owengate.  Join our medieval monk on a tour of herbs and plants. Meet actor David Napthine recreating the life and times of 18th century Durham astronomer, mathematician, instrument maker, architect and garden designer Thomas Wright.  Have a free guided tour of the World Heritage Site and see inside the chapel of St Mary the Less at St John’s College on the Bailey. 

This is a fun day out for everyone and we hope to see you there! 

Castle Guided Tours

Due to the residential nature of the Castle, entrance is via guided tour only. Tours have limited spaces. The tour times shown are a general guide as it is sometimes necessary to cancel tours at short notice due to student and commercial activities.

Check tour times online

Durham Castle is a working building and tours maybe cancelled last minute so check with Palace Green Library on 0191 334 2932 or the World Heritage Site Visitor Centre on 0191 334 3805, or by email castle.tours@durham.ac.uk.

Please note that the Castle is closed for fresher's week at the beginning of October, congregation in the middle of January and at the end of June and the festive season from late December till early January each year.

At the Cathedral

Every day there are at least three services at the Cathedral, as well as a full programme of concerts and recitals. Full details of regular service times and special events can be found on the Cathedral's website.

Please note that there is limited public access to the Cathedral during Congregation.

There is a range of Public tours available

Other Venues...

These World Heritage Site venues frequently host events:

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