What martial arts clubs are there in Durham?

Durham has a varied scene including Durham Karate Academy (Shotokan karate at Gilesgate and Pity Me), UKTC Taekwon-Do at Freeman's Quay, Krav Maga Durham, Aikido Shurenkan at St Hild and St Bede, Durham Kendo Club at Maiden Castle and Durham Shinsenkai Dojo at Belmont.

Are there martial arts classes for children in Durham?

Yes. Durham Karate Academy and UKTC Taekwon-Do both teach children, with UKTC running a Little Tiger Cubs programme for the very youngest. Look for clubs with dedicated junior classes and coaches with up-to-date safeguarding training.

Can beginners join a martial arts club in Durham?

Yes. Most Durham clubs welcome newcomers to a free or low-cost taster session, so it's worth trying a couple of styles before committing. Kit can usually be borrowed at first or bought later.

Sports

Martial Arts in Durham: Clubs and Classes for All Ages

Karate, taekwondo, krav maga and more. A guide to martial arts clubs in Durham for children and adults, whatever style you want to try.

durhamcity.live·10 September 2026

Martial arts are a brilliant way to build fitness, confidence and discipline, and Durham has a genuinely varied scene across the city's leisure centres and community halls. Whether you want traditional karate, dynamic taekwondo, practical self-defence or something for the children, here is our guide to martial arts clubs in Durham.

Durham Karate Academy

Durham Karate Academy teaches traditional Shotokan karate to children and adults, with classes at Vane Tempest Hall in Gilesgate and St Aidan's Church Hall at Pity Me. Sessions build fitness, focus and self-defence in a friendly, structured setting, with a belt-grading syllabus that gives younger students clear goals. Beginners are welcome to come and try.

Best for: Best for: traditional karate for all ages, with families often training together.

UKTC Taekwon-Do

Based centrally at Freeman's Quay Leisure Centre, UKTC Taekwon-Do runs classes for children, teenagers and adults, with a Little Tiger Cubs programme for the very youngest. Taekwon-Do blends fitness and flexibility with the discipline of a traditional Korean martial art, and the city-centre venue makes it easy to reach.

Best for: Best for: taekwondo in the city centre, with classes for young children.

More styles across the city

Durham's martial arts offering goes well beyond karate and taekwondo. Krav Maga Durham (powered by Spartans Academy) runs practical self-defence classes at Freeman's Quay, Aikido Shurenkan trains at the College of St Hild and St Bede, Durham Kendo Club practises at Maiden Castle, and Durham Shinsenkai Dojo offers karate at Belmont. Between them the city covers most of the major disciplines.

Best for: Best for: trying something different, from krav maga to kendo.

Choosing a class

Most clubs welcome newcomers to a free or low-cost taster session, so try a couple of styles before committing, kit can usually be borrowed or bought later. For children, look for clubs with dedicated junior classes and coaches with up-to-date safeguarding and first-aid training. For more ways to stay active, see our guide to sport and fitness in Durham.

Run a martial arts club in Durham we should list? Get in touch.