The Light Opens at Aykley Heads: Durham's New Cultural Venue

After ten years shut and a £17m rebuild, one of Durham's best-loved cultural spaces is open again. The Light at Aykley Heads, on the site of the former Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery, welcomed its first visitors over the weekend of 22 and 23 August, and the autumn and winter programme is now getting under way.

For residents who remember the old DLI Museum closing back in 2016, this is a genuine homecoming. The building has been reimagined as a place for art, county heritage and community events all under one roof, a short walk or drive from the railway station and set in the parkland at Aykley Heads.

What's inside

At the heart of the venue is a permanent, free exhibition, "We Are The Durhams", telling the story of the Durham Light Infantry through images, sounds and hands-on displays. Alongside it, the opening show "Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Light" brings together some serious names, with works by Tracey Emin, Olafur Eliasson, Dan Flavin and Chila Burman exploring light as both subject and material. That exhibition runs until 17 January 2027.

Entry to the building and the DLI displays is free, while the headline art exhibition is ticketed, with timed entry slots. There is a cafe and community space too, so it is set up for a proper visit rather than a quick look round.

Best for: Entry to The Light and the "We Are The Durhams" exhibition is free. "Victory Over the Sun" is ticketed and runs until 17 January 2027, so check the venue website for slots and prices before you go.

A boost for the city

Durham County Council, which led the project, says the early response has been strong. Cllr Robbie Rodiss called it "a significant investment into Durham's cultural offering", adding that the venue had "already received an incredibly positive response from visitors", according to the council's news update.

For anyone planning a family day out or a rainy afternoon, it slots neatly alongside the city's other cultural draws. See our guide to family activities in Durham for more ideas, and check The Light's own website for current opening hours and what's on this season.