Durham Cathedral

About Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral has stood above the River Wear for more than 900 years and is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Europe. Together with the neighbouring castle it forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1986. Inside, visitors can see the shrine of St Cuthbert, the tomb of the Venerable Bede, the great nave with its patterned columns, and the medieval cloisters familiar to many from film and television.

The cathedral remains a working place of worship with daily services, alongside a programme of exhibitions, guided tours and tower climbs. Entry to the building is free, with charges for some special attractions, and there is a shop, cafe and open green spaces on Palace Green nearby. It is one of the defining landmarks of the city and a focal point for both local life and pilgrimage.

Featured in These Guides

Blog posts and guides that feature Durham Cathedral.

Christmas Lights Switch-On in Durham 2026

Durham Christmas Sparkle, the city's Christmas lights switch-on, is on Sunday 29 November 2026 from 5pm to 6.15pm in the Market Place. It is free, run by Durham BID, and falls the weekend before the Christmas Festival.

Meditation in Durham: Groups, Quiet Days and Calm Spaces

Where to meditate in Durham, from a Plum Village sangha and Quaker silent worship to quiet days at St Antony's Priory, the Cathedral's online retreats and meditative yoga classes.

Volunteer Groups in Durham

From welcoming visitors at the cathedral to sorting food parcels, tending hospice gardens and clearing riverbanks, here is where to start volunteering in Durham city and how to sign up.

Christmas Markets in Durham

Durham Christmas Festival runs from 4 to 6 December 2026 across Palace Green, the Cathedral Cloisters, the Market Hall and the Market Place, with a ticketed craft marquee of over 180 stalls and a lantern parade on the Sunday.

Historic Trades and Crafts of Durham

Durham gave the world its famous mustard, built organs for Westminster Abbey and wove carpets by the Wear. A guide to the city's historic trades and crafts.

Famous People Connected with Durham

From a future prime minister and a comedy legend who shared a school to the saints who made the city, the famous names connected with Durham.

The Historic Churches of Durham

Beyond the great cathedral, Durham is rich in historic churches, from a medieval chapel at Crossgate to a 12th-century parish church on the Wear.

The Best Photography Spots in Durham

From the classic Prebends Bridge view to the riverbanks, Wharton Park and Observatory Hill, our guide to the best places to photograph Durham's World Heritage skyline.

A Rainy Day in Durham: Indoor Things to Do

When the weather closes in, Durham has plenty to keep everyone happy indoors, from the cathedral and museums to soft play, a bouldering wall and a cinema in the heart of the city.

Free Things to Do in Durham

Durham is one of England's most rewarding cities to enjoy on no budget at all, from the free-to-enter cathedral to riverside walks, the market and city-skyline views from Wharton Park.

Durham Cathedral Completes Its New Cuthbert Centre for Pilgrimage and Prayer

Durham Cathedral has completed the Cuthbert Centre, a new space for pilgrimage and prayer inspired by St Cuthbert, with a public open day on Saturday 26 September.

Durham Folk Festival: A Guide to the City's New Folk Celebration

A major new folk festival launches in Durham in September 2026, with more than 100 events across the Cathedral, Redhills, the Gala Theatre and the River Wear. Our guide to what's on and how to plan a visit.

Things to Do in Durham

From the World Heritage cathedral and castle to riverside walks, museums and the Victorian market hall, here is our guide to the best things to do in Durham.

A Weekend in Durham

How to spend a perfect two days in Durham, from the World Heritage cathedral and castle to riverside walks, independent restaurants and the Victorian market hall.

Durham Cathedral: A Visitor's Guide

How to visit one of the finest Norman cathedrals in Europe, from the shrine of St Cuthbert and the tomb of Bede to the tower climb and the Sanctuary Knocker.

The Prince Bishops of Durham

For centuries the Bishops of Durham ruled the County Palatine with near-royal powers, raising armies, holding courts and minting their own coins. Here is their story.

The Story of St Cuthbert and How Durham Began

Durham owes its existence to a saint. The story of St Cuthbert, the monks who carried his body, and the legend of the Dun Cow that founded the city.

Walking the Durham World Heritage Site: A Self-Guided Route

A short circular walk around Durham's peninsula, taking in the cathedral and castle, Palace Green, Prebends Bridge and the wooded riverbanks of the Wear.

Durham on Screen: Film and TV Locations

From Hogwarts to Asgard, Durham Cathedral has doubled for some of cinema's grandest settings. A guide to the film and TV made in the World Heritage city.

A Student's Guide to Durham

New to Durham University? An introduction to life in one of England's oldest university cities, from the collegiate system to getting around a compact, hilly city.

The University Year in Durham: Terms, Freshers and Graduation

How Durham University's three terms shape the city, from Freshers' Week in October to graduation in the cathedral, and how Durham changes with the academic year.

Durham on a Budget: A Student's Guide

Some of the best things about Durham are free or cheap, from the cathedral and riverside walks to the museums and the market. A student guide to the city on a budget.

Upcoming Events

Events that feature or are connected to Durham Cathedral.

Past Events

Recent events connected to Durham Cathedral.