Information for Visitors

Each year over 600,000 people come to Durham Cathedral from all over the world. The Cathedral appeals to a wide range of audiences. People of all ages (including a large number of children), academics, lovers of architecture and art, those who come on pilgrimage inspired by the north’s saints Cuthbert and Bede, local people from County Durham villages and towns who value the Cathedral’s links with the mining community, and of course thousands of visitors who are on holiday in north east England or are in Durham for the day.

We want you to feel welcome at the Cathedral, whether you come to worship or pray on your own, to see the historic building or to explore the long history of Christianity in this area. The Cathedral is normally open every day, but occasionally services or special events mean that access for visitors has to be restricted. If you are coming from a long distance or with a group it is best to check with us first in order to avoid disappointment. Also, if your mobility is restricted and you need extra help from us to make your visit enjoyable, please contact us in advance and we will do what we can to help.

We do not charge a fee to enter the Cathedral. However, since it costs more than £60,000 a week to maintain the Cathedral and other buildings together with our ministry and mission and — unlike cathedrals in many other countries — we do not receive any state aid for this, we ask our visitors to make a donation towards the running costs of the Cathedral. Your help in this way will enable us to keep the Cathedral open and free for future visitors. If you are a British tax payer, Gift Aid envelopes are available which enable us to reclaim the tax on your donation.

This section of the website contains some practical information for visitors to the Cathedral and various facilities within it. If you do not find the information you need, please contact us and we will try to answer your question.