The Chapter House
The Chapter House is where the daily business of a monastery would have been carried out.
Durham Cathedral has very few tombs for a building of its size and importance, however the first Norman bishops are buried underneath the Chapter House floor.
Where is this space?
The Chapter House is located off the East side of the Cloister.
How is it used today?
The Chapter House is currently open to the public, 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturdays. Some dates are excluded due to being used for services and events.
History
The Chapter House in the medieval monastery
The Chapter House was where the daily business of the monks occurred, with the monks sitting on the stone benches running along the wall during this time. The name of the space comes from the daily ritual of a chapter of the monastic rule being read aloud to the community. This led to members of the cathedral’s governing body being referred to as a ‘Chapter’.
Changes over the past 500 years
The Chapter House was built between 1071 - 1080 under Bishop Walcher, probably in a square shape, with the first monk's dormitory above. The roof was later heightened and the apsidal (rounded) east end added from 1133 - 1140, and the monk's dormitory was moved to the west side of the Cloister.
The Chapter House was partially demolished in 1796. The size of the room was halved and the ceiling lowered to create a warmer environment for 18th century clergy members. In 1895, the room was rebuilt to its original size, the space we see today.
You can see graves on the floor of the Chapter House, as the early Bishops of Durham were buried underneath the space. Burying less holy men in the vicinity of St Cuthbert was considered inappropriate.
Recent uses as a filming location
Over 20 years ago, various locations across the cathedral were used in the filming of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and the Chapter House was used as Professor McGonagall's classroom.
Accessibility
Wheelchair users and visitors with limited mobility
The Chapter House is fully accessible, with ramped access upon entry. There’s limited seating for visitors. Due to the nature of the original stone floor, the surface may be uneven, with a series of rugs throughout.
Visitors with a hearing impairment
Information within the Chapter House is provided by printed interpretation that accessible in the space or guide books which can be purchased at the visitor desk.
Neurodiverse visitors
There’s bright lighting in the Chapter House which may vary depending on the seasons and time of day.
The Chapter House is an open space with windows and a fresh breeze passing through the open door.
Blind and partially sighted visitors
The Chapter House is fully accessible, with ramped access upon entry. Due to the nature of the original stone floor, the surface may be uneven in places, with a series of rugs throughout.
There’s bright lighting in the Chapter House which may vary depending on the seasons and time of day.