Durham Castle

Palace Green
Durham City
County Durham
DH1 3RW

Tel: +44 (0)1913 343 800
Fax: +44 (0)1913 343 801.
Email: alison.howe@durham.ac.uk
Web: Attraction's Own Web Site

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Durham Castle, together with the Cathedral, was awarded the status of a World Heritage Site in 1986 providing international recognition for this unique, historic and scenic site. Standing side by side on a prominent hill top site and encircled by the wooded slopes of the meandering River Wear, the Castle overlooks the medieval City of Durham with its fascinating narrow streets.
Durham Castle is a registered museum as well as a vibrant living and working community. It is the home of University College, the founding College of Durham University and over 100 students are resident during term. In view of this, entrance to the public is by guided tour only. The following tour times are a general guide as it is sometimes necessary to cancel tours at short notice due to University or commercial activities.
Opening Times
(2011 times)
Tours during University Terms
Tours are normally available every afternoon of the week at 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00. For full details of term dates go to www.dur.ac.uk/dates
Tours during University vacations
Tours are normally available every morning of the week at 10:00, 11.00 and 12:00, and in the afternoons when three are no commercial activities, from 14:00 to 17:00. Please note that we are closed for the festive season from late December till 03 January each year.
For daily information on guided tour times, please contact the Porters Lodge on 0191 334 3800.

ACCESS TO THE CASTLE

The Castle is a vibrant working community and our visitors appreciate that as a student residence there are some limitations regarding access and availability. We publish information on our guided tours on our website (http://www.dur.ac.uk/university.college/tours/) , however it is occasionally necessary to postpone tours at short notice. If you are travelling any distance to visit us we recommend that you check the latest information with our Lodge.

We endeavour to provide our visitors and guests with the best experience during their time with us, whether that be as a tourist, bed and breakfast guest or passer by. The following information is provided to assist you in planning your visit and our staff will be happy to answer any further questions you may have. Contact numbers are as follows:

Guided Tours: The Porter's Lodge 0191 334 3800
Transfers to mobile if the Porter is on his rounds)

Accessibility
The nature and layout of the Castle, means that the majority of the building is inaccessible to wheelchair users. The tour route and routes to bedrooms also involve many steps and staircases, some of which are uneven. If you are interested in staying overnight in Castle please contact our Accommodation Co-ordinator for advice on suitable rooms.
For guided tours, with prior notice, arrangements can be made for wheelchair users and guests who require assistance to use one of the service entrances to view the Great Hall, Buttery and Kitchen. There is one toilet equipped for disabled use, although this is accessed via a set of 6 steps. Reception/The Lodge will provide directions. Visitors with limited mobility can be shown to staff toilets which require negotiation of one step (21 cm) but they are not equipped for disabled use.

Admission Charges
(2011 prices)
Adult £5.00; Child (Under 3 yrs) Free; Child/Senior Citizen £3.50; Family (up to 5 max.) £12.00.

Group Rate: Adult (10+) £4.50; Child/Senior Citizen (10+) £3.00.

Directions
Show map of Durham Castle...

Durham Castle Postcode for SatNav: DH1 3RW

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* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Nearby Hotels
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* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Nearby Self Catering
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* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

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