Durham Attractions
Durham boasts a huge range of cultural attractions. From industrial heritage to art collections, ancient castles to exotic gardens, rail heritage to religious heritage, it's got it all.
The iconic Cathedral and Castle UNESCO World Heritage site was the first to be designated and is one of the finest surviving examples of Romanesque architecture on the planet.
There are castles and historic houses filled with dazzling art and furniture collections. While The Bowes Museum is home to European art and the famous mechanical Silver Swan dating back to 1773. Or step back in time at Beamish Museum and experience life in the North in the 1800s and 1900s.
Marvel at the work of Saxon stonemasons who created Esomb's tiny church, a place of worship for over 1400 years! Hop aboard a steam engine at Locomotion in Shildon, ride the world's oldest existing line at Tanfield Railway or pop on a hard hat and head down the mine at Killhope, the North of England Mining Museum. Delve into the tropical collections in the University Botanical Garden or meander through the themed borders at Crook Hall.
A visit to Killhope, the award winning North of England Lead Mining Museum, is a unique and unforgettable experience. Killhope is a fully restored nineteenth century lead mine, where you can experience for yourself the life and work of the lead mining families of the Pennine dales. Our enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff are here to help you get the most from your visit, they are what makes Killhope a multi award Read More…
Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon officially opened in 2004 and is the first National Museum in the North East of England. The premier railway museum contains many exciting exhibits. It is located on a 6 hectare site incorporating historic monuments and buildings full of interactive displays and an eco-friendly building 'Collection' which houses up to 60 vehicles, many from the National Collection. The museum also includes a play area, picnic area, modern art monument, Read More…
Once a key part of Durham's cloth-making industry, The Old Fulling Mill is now home to Durham University's Museum of Archaeology. The collections on display provide a fascinating insight into the rich heritage of the North East of England, as well as showcasing items from across Europe. Highlights include outstanding Roman collections together with Anglo-Saxon, Medieval and Tudor finds from Durham City and the local area. In addition to the Read More…
The Oriental Museum is the only museum in northern Britain dedicated solely to the art and archaeology of the Orient. The remarkable collections reveal to the visitor the history and pre-history of the great cultures of Asia, the near and Middle East and North Africa. Highlights include one of the largest and finest collections of Chinese artefacts in Europe and an ancient Egyptian collection of international importance. The permanent displays are complemented Read More…
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