Friends of Durham Cathedral

Renovation work started in Autumn 2025, with the Works Yard team removing internal walls and lifting the historic terracotta tiles to prepare for a new underfloor heating system. The cathedral's resident archaeologist has documented the findings of the floor makeup, to ensure the renovation preserves the heritage of the space. 

A new floor laid, oak beams uncovered and a lintel raised - the Works Yard team finished the project by plastering and painting the space, alongside installing a new kitchen area and toilet facilities. Bespoke furniture, made by the talented team of Cathedral Joiners have been added and a redesign of the access into the space which features a ramp, means the location is easily accessible for all.

The space was opened on Friday 4 September, 2026 with further programme announcements expected in Spring 2027.

Invited guests, supporters, partners, donors and community representatives gathered to celebrate the completion of the Centre and recognise the many people whose generosity, expertise and commitment helped bring the vision to life.

The celebration included a tour of the newly renovated Chapel of the Holy Cross and its accompanying facilities, including a kitchen and communal space designed to offer hospitality and refreshment to pilgrims and visitors. Access to the Chapel and Centre is for the first time step-free, making it an accessible space for all visitors. 

The event also included speeches about future aspirations for the Cuthbert Centre for Pilgrimage and Prayer from Philip Plyming, Dean of Durham. Longstanding guide and Cathedral volunteer Lilian Groves MBE marked the completion of the Centre by unveiling a commemorative plaque, while the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Revd Rick Simpson, offered prayers for God's blessing for the Centre and its future ministry.

Capturing 1000 years of history, there was minimal space remaining on the Bishops, Priors and Dean’s Plaque located on the south wall of the Feretory. With the Friends support, an additional marble plaque was added to allow more inscriptions of future names and dates. The names of the masons who carved the plaque over 100 years ago were revealed in the process. It is expected it will be another 200 years before additional space will be needed.

The Friends have most recently funded the conservation of the North and South Doors, which involved the cleaning of the wood and ironwork and the removal of previous wax coatings. It is estimated that the ironwork dates back to the time of Bishop Hugh of Le Puiset (1153-95), around the same time that the Sanctuary Ring was added to the North Door. Old paint layers on the metal are being examined to discover how early a date the materials may indicate.