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Durham Cathedral in LEGO®

After a few years in storage, the LEGO® version of Durham Cathedral has been re-built and is back on permanent display inside the museum.

Rebuilding the cathedral

Durham Cathedral in LEGO® has been lovingly re-built by a team of volunteers, who were also involved in the original build. The rebuild started in December 2023 and has been completed in time for February half term.

After three years in storage, following the Covid-19 pandemic, the structure is now housed in a new permanent location in the Durham Cathedral Museum, with no admission charge. For those wanting to explore the Museum further, tickets are available on arrival.

Placing the last brick!

The rebuild of Durham Cathedral in LEGO® was completed by 11 year old Libby Armstrong from Beverley in East Yorkshire, who placed the final piece (a cross) on top of the East end of the LEGO® cathedral structure. Libby who was visiting Durham Cathedral for a day out with her family, including her dad Chris, was asked by the cathedral team if she would like to add the last brick to the build. 

Read more on the opening day here

Did you know?

  • Durham Cathedral in LEGO® represents the first large-scale LEGO® model to be built by members of the public, with thousands of people from across the UK and the rest of the world adding their bricks.
  • The impressive model measures 3.84 metres in length, 1.53 metres wide and 1.7 metres in height.
  • A team of 60 volunteer ‘LEGO® Makers’ helped guide visitors in placing their bricks and assembling each section of the building.
  • The whole structure weighs around 750kg - roughly the same weight as a camel!

The 2024 rebuild of Durham Cathedral in LEGO®

The 2013 original build of Durham Cathedral in LEGO®

Durham Cathedral in LEGO®, was an ambitious fundraising project from 2013-16 which saw the cathedral recreated in LEGO® bricks. This imaginative fundraising initiative was first developed to support the development of the Durham Cathedral Museum, then named 'Open Treasure'.

The model was built by members of the public, with each brick representing a £1 donation and since the first brick was laid on 11 July 2013, over 300,000 bricks were been added to the model over the next 3 years.

Completed Durham Cathedral in LEGO® in 2016

Lego Quire
Close up shot of the Lego Cathedral pinnacles.
LEGO Model and Volunteers
Inside the Lego Cathedral
Durham Cathedral in LEGO with avengers

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Haliwerfolc: The Durham Cathedral Community Museum Exhibition

Discover more about the Durham Cathedral community, from the influence of St Cuthbert to the cathedral having a worldwide family, both past and present.

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