Durham University Visitor Attractions

Live performance to lectures

History to horticulture

Museums to music

Enjoy a day out in Durham.

At the heart of this historic city, Durham University is perfectly placed to offer a dazzling array of events and activities.

Our unique cultural attractions appeal to thousands each year, from historic Durham Castle, fascinating Museums and the beautiful Botanic Garden, to live performance, world class exhibitions and

public lectures. We can offer something of interest to just about everyone.

Many attractions offer a programme of events, see our ‘What’s On Guide’ for listings or visit www.durham.ac.uk/whatson

The Botanic Garden has become one of the most popular attractions for visitors to Durham. Set amongst beautiful woodlands on the southern outskirts of the city.

Visitors of all ages will love discovering this unique garden, finding something new around each corner over the changing seasons.

Featuring a woodland garden, alpine garden, a bamboo grove and plant collections from around the world.

Our glasshouses host tropical rainforest plants (including the giant Amazonian water lily, Victoria amazonica), desert plants, and more.

We also house tropical bugs, stick insects, scorpions and tarantulas!

Over the summer we occasionally have a selection of tropical butterflies.

Our ever popular family activity programme is packed with events such as the ‘Teddy Bears’ Picnic’, ‘Marvelous Mini beasts’ and numerous craft activities.

Our visitor centre is open daily for refreshments and gifts.

www.durham.ac.uk/attractions

Explore the

BOTANIC GARDEN

Durham University, Hollingside Lane, Durham City DH1 3TN

Opening times: March to Oct: 10am-5pm Daily. Nov to Feb: 10am-4pm Daily.

0191 334 5518

www.durham.ac.uk/ botanic.garden

The Oriental Museum is the only museum in the north of England devoted entirely to the art and archaeology of the Orient.

Our world class collections include more than 23,000 objects relating to Egypt, China, Japan, India and other great cultures of Asia and the Near and Middle East.

Founded in 1960 to support teaching and

research at Durham University, the museum is now open to everyone.

Come along and see Ancient Egyptian mummies, Chinese porcelain created for the imperial court, Japanese woodblock prints and head-hunting swords from Borneo.

Free drop in activities for 5-11 year olds are available on Saturdays and on additional days during the school holidays.

Durham Castle has been lived in continuously since the 11th century. Construction of Durham Castle began in 1072 under the orders of William the Conqueror.

It was of strategic importance both to defend the troublesome border with Scotland and to control local English rebellions, common in the years following the Norman Conquest.

The castle then came under the control of the Bishop of Durham, Walcher, who became the first of the Prince-Bishops of Durham, a title that was to remain until the 19th century, and was to give Durham a unique status in England.

Since 1837, Durham Castle has been home to University College, the oldest of Durham University’s colleges. The Castle buildings still provide accommodation for over 100 students.

Because the Castle is still a living building, access for visitors is by guided tour. These tours are led by students who explain both the 900 year history of the Castle and how it functions today.

Durham Castle is open to the public for guided tours. Tour times vary, so please call to check times and availability.


What’s new? The Oriental Museum is currently undergoing a major redevelopment programme. We started in 2009 with our new Ancient Egyptian galleries. Two new Chinese galleries have followed. In late 2013 we will be opening our two newest galleries: Japan and Korea.

Marvel at

DURHAM CASTLE

Durham University, Palace Green, Durham City DH1 3RW 0191 334 2932

www.durham.ac.uk/durham.castle

A visit to the Castle offers a unique glimpse into the lives of Kings, Queens, Bishops and today’s university students.

Discover the

ORIENTAL MUSEUM

Try...Chinese dressing up

Follow...

Callum the Camel’s trail around the museum

Play... our giant version of the ancient Egyptian game of senet.

Durham University, Elvet Hill, Durham City DH1 3TH

Opening times: Monday – Friday 10am-5pm. Weekends and Bank Holidays 12pm-5pm. Closed Christmas and New Year.

0191 334 5694

www.durham.ac.uk/ oriental.museum

Palace Green Library is Durham’s newest exhibition venue, situated between Durham Cathedral and Castle on the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Exhibitions change throughout the year so there is always something new to see, from outstanding items from the collections of Durham University to world-class touring exhibitions.

The Library Search Room is open to anyone wanting to consult our collections and our shop is stocked with a range of gifts for book lovers and browsers alike.

Durham was awarded the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

The World Heritage Site Visitor Centre is housed in a refurbished 19th century almshouse. It is a free facility, open seven days a week, which provides visitors

with an overview of the World Heritage Site, including information about what it means to be a World Heritage Site, what makes Durham significant, and what there is to see and do in Durham.

Staff are available to provide advice and information about Durham and its heritage.


Visit the

PALACE GREEN LIBRARy ExHIBITIONS & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Lindisfarne Gospels Durham: One amazing book, one incredible journey

1 July – 30 Sept 2013

In summer 2013, one of the world’s greatest books, the Lindisfarne Gospels will be the centrepiece of a

unique exhibition at Palace Green Library. Drawing together manuscripts and archaeological treasures from across the UK, the exhibition tells the fascinating story of this incredible book.

www.lindisfarnegospels.com

ROBOT!

23 Nov 2013 - 27 April 2014

Robots come in all shapes and sizes. Some are friendly,

others helpful, and a few are simply scary.

Discover an exciting exhibition of robots, cyborgs and androids and meet some of the metal stars of the big screen face to face.

Join us at the

WORLD HERITAGE SITE VISITOR CENTRE

7 Owengate, Durham City DH1 3HB

Opening times: Daily – Jan to March and Nov to Dec 10am – 4.30pm.

April to June and Sept to Oct 9.30am – 5pm.

Extended opening hours during July and August.

0191 334 3805

www.durhamworld heritagesite.com

VISIT THE CENTRE TO BOOk A TOUR AND fIND OUT ABOUT EVENTS

AND ACTIVITIES.

Durham University, Palace Green, Durham DH1 3RN

Tel: 0191 334 2932

see the website for opening times.

www.durham.ac.uk/ palace.green

From theatre and music, to sport and volunteering, with the support of Experience Durham and Durham Students Union, our students are involved in creating and running hundreds of fun, exciting activities that are open to everyone every year.

Durham Student Theatre and Durham University Music Society run a packed programme with shows and performances every week during term time in venues across the city. From musicals

to comedies, tragedies to pantomimes, choral chambers choirs and Big Bands, there is something to suit everyone and all of these shows are open to the public. Many of our theatre performances take place in the historic Assembly Rooms theatre and other venues across the impressive World Heritage Site.

Our sporting facilities are also open to the public. Take part in one of the fitness classes on offer at the Graham Sports Centre at Maiden Castle, join

our gym or come and watch our teams in action. There are plenty of activities for children too, including sports summer camps and after school activities.

For more information about all of our events and activities visit www.durham.ac.uk/experiencedurham

All activities are supported by Experience Durham.

The Department of Music in Durham is one of the leading centres for the study of music in Britain, an established Centre for Excellence in Teaching with an international reputation.

MUSICON is the University’s Public Concert Series administered by the Department of Music. It promotes around twelve public concerts per year across various venues by internationally acclaimed artists in the fields of early,

classical, world, and contemporary music.

As you might expect, the sheer wealth of musical talent in Durham means that there is a comprehensive, year- round musical programme, catering for every possible musical taste.


Supported by

Experience our SPORTS, THEATRE & MUSIC

Durham University is home to over 15,000 students who help bring the city to life!

Savour the

MUSICON

Musicon, Department of Music, Durham University, Palace Green, Durham DH1 3RL

See website for further details of concerts and timings.

0191 33 43156

www.durham.ac.uk/ musicon.concerts

From classical recitals to music from East Asia, from medieval to modern repertoire, Durham University offers a fabulous range of performances for everyone to enjoy!

Each year there are a series of lectures and seminars taking place across the University, including, Institute of Advanced Study lectures, Castle Public lectures and the Inaugural Lecture Series.

Speakers address a great range of topics, tackling

themes of public interest in an expert and accessible way. The lectures and seminars are aimed at a general audience and are delivered in buildings across the University.

See www.durham.ac.uk/whatson for further details.

The residential colleges of the University welcome independent holiday makers and holiday groups during student vacations – during March and April, from July to September and part of December and January.

All accommodation is situated in private grounds within half a mile radius of the Castle, Cathedral and City Centre.

For more information:

0800 28 99 70

www.durham.ac.uk/ event.durham


Join us at our

PUBLIC LECTURES & SEMINARS

Stay with us in our

HOLIDAy ACCOMMODATION at Durham University

Botanic Garden

Durham Castle

Oriental Museum

World Heritage Site Visitor Centre

Palace Green Library

Assembly Rooms - Durham Student Theatre

The Graham Sports Centre

Footpaths


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Durham University Visitor Attractions