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Welcome to Durham Cathedral

We welcome you to Durham Cathedral for public worship, private prayer and quiet reflection. Reflecting the current coronavirus restrictions in England, from Wednesday 13 January we are reducing our opening hours and shifting more of our services to be online only. Find updated service information here.

Face coverings must be worn inside the cathedral, except for those who are exempt.

If you can, please donate to support Durham Cathedral’s future. You can donate online here, or at the cathedral using a contactless card or one of the cash donation boxes. Thank you. 

Follow Durham Cathedral on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to hear from us regularly.

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Explore our blog

Read articles from staff and volunteers, sharing their in-depth knowledge of Durham Cathedral. Plus go behind the scenes to discover the life of the cathedral.

Visit the blog

Virtual education tours

We now offer online schools' sessions, focussing on different aspects of the cathedral, its history and life.

More about virtual tours

Prayer and worship

We offer a warm welcome to anyone who wishes to visit Durham Cathedral to pray, worship or simply find a quiet space to reflect.

Find out more

The Cathedral Choristers

Choristers typically join the Cathedral Choir between the ages of eight and nine, and remain until the age of 13. There are usually around 18 boys and around 18 girls.

Become a Chorister

Shop online

Searching for the perfect gift? Explore a wide range of gifts inspired by Durham Cathedral.

Shop now

Home | Durham Cathedral

Welcome to Durham Cathedral, one of the great buildings of Europe.

Set on a rocky promontory next to the Castle, with the medieval city huddled below and the river sweeping round, the profile of the World Heritage Site is instantly recognisable to travellers on the East Coast railway line.

Why does it exist?

The Community of Cuthbert arrived in Durham from Lindisfarne in 995 and built an Anglo-Saxon cathedral.

In 1083 a community of Benedictine monks was established in Durham following the Norman Conquest.

Construction of the Cathedral as we know it today was started in 1093 by Bishop William of St Calais.
                

 

Our role

Durham Cathedral is a Christian Church of the Anglican Communion and the seat of the Bishop of Durham.

We are a place of worship, welcome and hospitality.

Following the example of Saints Cuthbert and Bede, we share our faith and heritage globally and empower people to transform the communities in which we live and serve.

Our purpose

Our purpose is to worship God, share the gospel of Jesus Christ, welcome all who come, celebrate and pass on our rich Christian heritage and discover our place in God’s creation.