Cathedral News

Read about the latest happenings at Durham Cathedral. Information with short-term relevance, such as road closures or limited Cathedral access, can be found in Notices.

Lego makers required

We are looking for a team of volunteer Lego makers to help with the building of a Lego Durham Cathedral.  From a date to be announced very soon, visitors and supporters of the Cathedral will be able to donate a pound and receive a brick to place on model of what is often described as Europe's greatest Romanesque building.  All levels of donation will be recognised with the equivalent value in Lego bricks. 

Money raised will go towards the Cathedral's Open Treasure project, which aims to transform the way visitors experience the Cathedral and how they are inspired by it.  In order to build the Lego Cathedral, help is required. 

Lego maker briefing sessions will take place at the Cathedral on Monday 20 May at 3.00pm – 5.00pm and at 7.00pm – 9.00pm, where anyone interested in becoming a Durham Cathedral Lego Maker will be briefed about the build and what exactly is required of them.  Volunteers need to be age 18 upwards. 

No experience of Lego building is required, however if you are already an enthusiast for Lego or model making your skills will be fully utilised. If you would like to get involved but not sure if your Lego building skills are up to it, please still get in touch. Training will be given, and there will be regular visits by a Lego expert to make sure the build goes according to plan.   Please contact events@durhamcathedral.co.uk indicating which session you would like to attend.  Please do contact us if you would like to know more but can’t attend either of the sessions. 

Sunderland born architect and television presenter George Clarke visited the Cathedral on Friday 3 May to see how plans are progressing.  

George Clarke has kindly agreed to be a Champion of Open Treasure and act as an advocate for the project.  George has said on a number of occasions that Durham Cathedral is his favourite building and it inspired him to be an architect.  

Open Treasure has received a first-round pass from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This means that HLF supports the project in principle and will welcome a more detailed application for the full amount of £3.5 million.  

(Posted on Friday 3rd May 2013)

Be a Chorister for the Day!

Saturday 18 May

2.00 to 6.00 p.m.

For boys and girls in years 2 to 5 (aged 6 to 10).

This is a fantastic opportunity to have a first-hand experience of being a Chorister, which culminates in singing Evensong with the Cathedral Choir.

The children will enjoy meeting the current Cathedral Choristers, hearing them sing, and making music together. They will also have the opportunity to have a look around the boarding house and to ask questions about the life of a Chorister.

How to take part?

If you would like to find out more, please email: music@durhamcathedral.co.uk.

(Posted on Monday 29th April 2013)

Photography Evening: Friday 21st June

Are you interested in photography and would you like to spend an evening inside the Cathedral with your camera?  If so, come along to our special photography evening on Friday 21st June from 6.30pm to 9pm. 

Tickets are £10.00 per camera which will include a cup of tea or coffee.

Weather permitting the Tower will be open; however there is an additional charge of £5.00 for adults and £2.50 for children to climb the Tower.

No flash is permitted in the Cathedral but tripods are welcome

All photography taken on the day is for non-commercial use only and must not be used for any purpose other than personal use.

Tickets are available by completing a booking form.

(Posted on Tuesday 23rd April 2013)

Lindisfarne Gospels Durham

1st July to 30th September 2013 

Discover the story of St Cuthbert and one of the world’s greatest books – the Lindisfarne Gospels on show on Durham’s UNESCO World Heritage Site – on loan from the British Library.  Joined by other significant Anglo Saxon artefacts and historic medieval manuscripts from important national collections including Durham Cathedral and Durham University.    

Group packages available to include Lindisfarne Gospels Durham; and Durham Cathedral, the Shrine of St Cuthbert.

Contact visiits@durhamcathedral.co.uk

For more information see www.lindisfarnegospels.com 

Presented on the Durham UNESCO World Heritage Site by:

(Posted on Monday 11th February 2013)

“Jewels of the North” Festival of Flowers

30th August to 4th September 2013

Durham Cathedral, in partnership with the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS), will be hosting a spectacular festival of flowers and design at Durham Cathedral. It is a celebration of innovation in North East England which will be inspired by the Anglo Saxon Lindisfarne Gospels and subsequent periods of creativity.

Acclaimed designers Pauline Lund and Judith Clancy, working with members of flower clubs in the Northumberland and Durham Area of NAFAS, will fill the Cathedral with stunning arrangements on an unprecedented scale.

For details of visiting either as an individual or for further details of group packages, please contact visits@durhamcathedral.co.uk. Group packages available to include Jewels of the North and Lindisfarne Gospels Durham.

This is a fundraising event for Open Treasure. Open Treasure is a multi-phase development project that will provide visitors to Durham Cathedral with an experience to match its international, cultural and historic value.

(Posted on Monday 11th February 2013)