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Durham Castle

Sitting at the heart of Durham's World Heritage Site and occupied continuously since the 11th century, the Castle is now home to the students of University College, part of Durham University. Visitors are welcome to join our guided tours and special events.
Durham Castle Courtyard

Plan Your Visit

Find out everything you need to know to get the most from our visit: how to find us, opening times and more. Plus, everything you need to know if you or anyone in your group has any special needs or requirements.   

Contact us
Castle Tour standing in front of the Norman Arch.
Tickets and times
A Castle Tour in the Great Hall of Durham Castle.
Getting Here
High stone buildings on two sides of a courtyard with a circular lawn in the centre and smaller areas of lawn against the sides.
Access
A Castle Tours inside the Norman Chapel.
Facilities

Book a tour

The best way to visit Durham Castle is to book one of our guided tours, where you can learn about life in the Castle from one of our specially trained tour guides.

Tour group in Durham Castle

Our collections

Find out more about the history of the museum and our collections.

  • Art

    There are over 250 paintings in the collection at Durham Castle, including over 120 oil paintings, alongside watercolours, engravings and cartoons.
    A watercolour showing the Tunstall Gallery in the Victorian period. On the right are busts and tapestries and the Norman Arch and on the left students walking up and down the gallery.

  • Arms and Armour

    Durham Castle’s collections represent the conflicts of the last 500 years of British history.
    A coloured photograph taken in the Minstrel’s Gallery, looking towards the south wall of the Great Hall. At the top of the image are the armour. Below students are studying.

  • Social History

    Learn more about the people who have lived in, studied at, worked in or visited Durham Castle.
    A coloured photograph showing 9 pins, each pin is a different colour and shape.

Art

There are over 250 paintings in the collection at Durham Castle, including over 120 oil paintings, alongside watercolours, engravings and cartoons.
A watercolour showing the Tunstall Gallery in the Victorian period. On the right are busts and tapestries and the Norman Arch and on the left students walking up and down the gallery.

Arms and Armour

Durham Castle’s collections represent the conflicts of the last 500 years of British history.
A coloured photograph taken in the Minstrel’s Gallery, looking towards the south wall of the Great Hall. At the top of the image are the armour. Below students are studying.

Social History

Learn more about the people who have lived in, studied at, worked in or visited Durham Castle.
A coloured photograph showing 9 pins, each pin is a different colour and shape.
Explore more collections
The Castle can only be visited as part of a guided tour as it's part of the university facilities. Our guide was a history student and he was very knowledgeable and passionate about the legacy of the Castle. We visited the underground chapel, the black staircase and great hall. The tour was quite short at about 30mins but it's right next to the cathedral so I would highly recommend anyone visiting the Cathedral to take a tour of the Castle too.
Arin
United Kingdom

History of the Castle

Find out more about the architecture and the history of Durham Castle.

  • External Architecture Overview

    The architecture of Durham Castle has been influenced by events in British history over 1000 years.
    Above the entrance to the Great Hall. At the front is a crowned angel with the coat of arms of Bishop Cosin, with other coats of arms behind.

  • Norman Castle

    Built in the 1080’s the Norman Chapel of Durham Castle is the oldest standing building in Durham City.
    A coloured photograph of the Gatehouse from the Courtyard. The Gatehouse is at the centre of the picture, in the background are trees and Durham Cathedral.

  • Medieval Palace

    During the Medieval Period, Durham Castle, Palace Green and the Cathedral formed the power base for the Bishops of Durham.
    A 12th century reconstruction drawing by Dominic Andrews. The reconstruction drawing features the North Hall, Keep, Gatehouse and Norman Chapel.

External Architecture Overview

The architecture of Durham Castle has been influenced by events in British history over 1000 years.
Above the entrance to the Great Hall. At the front is a crowned angel with the coat of arms of Bishop Cosin, with other coats of arms behind.

Norman Castle

Built in the 1080’s the Norman Chapel of Durham Castle is the oldest standing building in Durham City.
A coloured photograph of the Gatehouse from the Courtyard. The Gatehouse is at the centre of the picture, in the background are trees and Durham Cathedral.

Medieval Palace

During the Medieval Period, Durham Castle, Palace Green and the Cathedral formed the power base for the Bishops of Durham.
A 12th century reconstruction drawing by Dominic Andrews. The reconstruction drawing features the North Hall, Keep, Gatehouse and Norman Chapel.
Learn more about our history and architechture
Durham Castle tapestry featuring an angel embracing a person.

Search our collections

We welcome anyone who wishes to study our collections. Find out more about searching our collections online and how to make a research appointment.

Search our collections
The Norman Chapel, looking east through the columns.

Norman Chapel Conservation and Interpretation Project

Due to pre-existing environmental conditions, the condition of the Norman Chapel has deteriorated, and it became apparent in early 2013 that additional monitoring and investigation were needed.

Learn more about the project

Learn

The Learning and Engagement Team offer a range of sessions for schools and home learning groups.

From key stage one to post -16, your group can explore the Castle for a range of curriculum focussed topics on a visit lead by a member of the Learning and Engagement Team.
Schools and Home Learning Programme
Visitors taking part in events and guided tours of the Castle

  

Nearby attractions

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Museum of Archaeology

Charting the story of Durham from prehistory to modern times.

2 Minute Walk
A blurry person walking through a gallery.

Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre

Find out everything you need to know to make the most of your visit to Durham.
2 Minute Walk
Aerial View of Palace Green, Durham Castle, and Durham Cathedral

Historic Libraries

Cosin’s Library was founded in 1669 by Bishop John Cosin to give local people access to ‘good books’.
2 Minute Walk
Cosin's Library interior

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