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What to Visit at Durham Cathedral

Listed below are the details of some of the attractions at Durham Cathedral, including opening times and admission prices (where appropriate). If you require any further information before visiting, please contact the Chapter Office.

The Tower

A spectacular view can be had from the top of the Cathedral tower. On a clear day it is possible to see for miles around.

Monday to Saturday: 10.00am - 3.00pm (last entry 2.40pm)
Monday 6 April - Saturday 26 September 2009: 10.00am - 4.00pm (last entry 3.40pm)
Closed: Sundays, during services and events, and inclement weather.
Admission: Adults £4.00; Children under 16 £2.00

There is a minimum height restriction for anyone wishing to climb the tower. It is 4 feet 3 inches or 1.3 metres. Young children and babies cannot be carried up the tower. Visitors wearing backless sandals or mules, platform shoes and high heels (especially stilettos) will not be able to climb the tower. These restrictions are for the safety and wellbeing of our visitors.

The Treasures of St Cuthbert

The Cathedral houses the shrine of the seventh-century saint, Cuthbert of Lindisfarne. There are some objects on display in The Treasures which date back to Cuthbert himself - including his cross and his coffin. Other items tell the story of the Cathedral and the community associated with it right up to recent times.

Monday to Saturday: 10.00am - 4.30pm
Sunday: 2.00pm - 4.30pm
Sundays in December and January: 2.00pm - 4.15pm
Admission: Adults £2.50; Children 70p; Family ticket £6.00; Concessionary/group rate £2.00 per person

The Undercroft Restaurant

The Undercroft Restaurant at Durham Cathedral won a Taste of Durham award for 2010. The restaurant gained the quality assured award and is a local produce champion which recognises the support the restaurant shows to local suppliers and because of the large selection of home made cakes and food on offer.

The restaurant is managed by Elior UK Ltd for the benefit of the Cathedral.

Open 10.00am to 4.30pm every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday.

Home made scones, biscuits and cakes are available all day. At lunchtime you can have anything from soup, sandwiches and salads to "meat and two veg."

Unfortunately, we are unable to reserve tables on any Saturday or any day from Easter to the end of September.

The Restaurant can also be used for private functions outside of our usual opening hours. We can cater for a simple wine and nibbles reception up to a five course dinner.

Telephone: 0191 386 3721

The Cathedral Book and Gift Shop

The Durham Cathedral Shop is run independently of the Cathedral stocks a range of guide books, gifts and souvenirs, as well as a selection of religious and theological books. On 1st May 2010, the Cathedral will take back the management of the shop and will create an entirely new shop.

Monday - Saturday: 9.00am - 5.30pm (March - Nov); 9.00am - 5.00pm (December - February)
Sunday: 12.30pm - 4.30pm (27 May - 23 December)
Telephone: 0191 386 2972
Email: durhamcathedalshop@googlemail.com

The Story of Saint Cuthbert and Durham Cathedral in the Audio-Visual Display

Monday 6 January - Saturday 28 February 2009
Monday - Thursday: 10.00am - 3.00pm
Saturday: 11.00am - 3.00pm
Monday 2 March - Saturday 31 October 2009
Monday - Saturday: 10.00am - 3.00pm
Monday 2 November - Saturday 29 November 2009
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10.00am - 1.00pm
Saturday: 11.00am - 3.00pm
Monday 2 November 2009 - Monday 4 January 2010: Closed
Admission: Adults £1.00; Children 30p; Family ticket £2.00

Please note that booked school parties take precedence from 10.00am - 11.30am. Dates and times are provisional.

The Monks' Dormitory

Now housing part of the Cathedral Library, the dormitory used to be the place where the monks, who lived here in the Middle Ages, slept. There is a splendid hammer-beam oak roof to be seen (shown below), as well as further items displaying the Cathedral's history.

Monday 13 April - Sunday 27 September 2009
Monday - Saturday: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday: 12.30pm - 4.00pm
Admission: Adults £1.00; Children 30p; Family ticket £2.00

If you are interested in using the library facilities, please see the library pages.

Building the Church Exhibition

This exhibition shows the various crafts and skills which the builders used in constructing the Cathedral. Photograph of the Building the Church Exhibition It also provides a sense of how the building continues to act as a centre for the worship and mission of the Christian church.

Saturday 18 July - Monday 31 August 2009
Monday - Saturday: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Admission: Adults £1.00; Children 30p; Family ticket £2.00

This is primarily for school educational visits, but adults are welcome too.