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Durham Cathedral is open to visitors. Public services of worship have resumed inside the cathedral.

Visiting the cathedral 

Durham Cathedral is open to all visitors.

Face coverings must be worn inside Durham Cathedral, except for children under the age of 11 and people unable to wear face coverings for specific reasons. Read more in our FAQs below. Stay home if you have symptoms of COVID-19. The video below explains the safety measures in place at Durham Cathedral.

Public services of worship have resumed inside the cathedral. Find the times of services below, and more information on our regular services page. 

The Cloister, Cathedral Shop, Undercroft Restaurant and toilets have reopened. Scroll down for their opening times.

Cathedral opening times:

  • Monday to Saturday: 10am-4pm
  • Sunday: 1pm-3pm 
  • The shrine of St Cuthbert is open daily, with the same opening times as the cathedral.

What measures are in place because of COVID-19?

Durham Cathedral has received Good to Go accreditation from Visit England, meaning we have safety measures in place to keep our staff and visitors safe. These include: 

  • social distancing and pews widely separated
  • a one-way system around the cathedral (with entry via the Galilee Chapel and exit via the North Door)
  • regular cleaning of the cathedral
  • hand sanitiser for staff and members of the public
  • specially trained staff on duty
  • protective screen at the visitor desk 
  • additional signage
  • limited number of people allowed in the building
  • encouraging the wearing of face coverings
  • collecting personal details to facilitate track and trace

Keeping you up to date

Durham Cathedral’s governing body is regularly reviewing the situation and is abiding by guidelines from the UK government, the Church of England and Public Health England. Updates will be posted here, and on our news page.

This page was updated on 22 September.

Updates will also be provided on our social media channels, @durhamcathedral on Facebook and Twitter.

What will my visit to Durham Cathedral be like?

Watch this short animated video which explains the measures to keep you, our staff and volunteers safe from coronavirus.

If the video doesn't play, you can also watch it on Youtube here.

Watch

Keeping you safe at Durham Cathedral (updated 25 September 2020)

What is open?

  • Visitor Desk
  • Nave of Durham Cathedral
  • Shrine of St Cuthbert (from Monday 10 August afternoons only)
  • The Cloister
  • The Galilee Chapel
  • The Cathedral Shop
  • The Undercroft Restaurant
  • Toilets

What is closed?

  • Open Treasure
  • The Central Tower
  • Durham Cathedral Library
  • The quire of the cathedral and side chapels
  • Guided tours are currently not running

Shop, restaurant, cloister and toilets opening times

The Cathedral Shop

Open daily: 11am - 3pm

You can find our Cathedral Shop in the Undercroft off the Cloister.

Cloister and toilets

Open daily: 11am - 3pm

The Undercroft

Open daily: 11am - 3pm except Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Good Friday.

In accordance with government guidelines, The Undercroft currently offers table service only.

Enjoy a delicious snack or light lunch in the beautiful medieval undercroft. Find out more on the Undercroft Restaurant's page.

Regular services

Access to parts of the Cathedral may be restricted before and during these services:

Sundays

  • 8.30am Morning Prayer (not open to the public, live-streamed only)
  • 9.30am Sung Eucharist (open to the public - advance booking recommended - and live-streamed online)
  • 11.30am Sung Eucharist (open to the public, advance booking recommended)
  • 3.30pm Choral Evensong (open to the public - booking not required - and live-streamed online)

Monday to Saturday

  • 8.30am - Morning Prayer 
  • 12.30pm - Holy Communion
  • 5.15pm - Evensong or Evening Prayer

To find out how to access our services online, go to our online worship resources page.

To find out how to book a public Sunday service, or for more details on attending public services, go to our regular services page.

 

FAQs

Do you charge an entry fee?

There is no fee to enter Durham Cathedral, however we do ask that people donate £3 per person to support the cathedral’s future if they are able. You can donate online, or at the cathedral using a contactless card or one of the cash donation boxes.

Will the cathedral tower, library or Open Treasure be reopening?

At this stage some visitor attraction elements and other public engagement aspects of the cathedral life are closed, in line with current Government and Church of England guidance.

Will the toilet facilities be open?

Yes, our toilets next to The Undercroft and Cathedral Shop are currently open.

Can I come to a cathedral service, and what will it be like?

Yes, we're looking forward to welcoming you. Service times are above. Prior booking is recommended if you wish to come to a Sunday Eucharist service (if you’re unable to book a ticket online, staff will make every effort to accommodate you if you come to the service). Book a place here. It’s important you understand the adaptations we’ve made to regular services to enable them to go ahead. You will still be able to participate in the cathedral’s worship online, and there is more information about how to do so on our online worship resources page.

Will there be staff and volunteers on duty in the cathedral?

Yes, there will be a limited number of staff and volunteers on duty to welcome you to the church, and to provide guidance on the one-way system and social distancing. 

Will there be staff on the visitor desk to provide further assistance?

There will be one member of staff behind the visitor desk at a time. They will sit behind a protective screen and will be able to assist with any enquiries you may have.

Do I have to wear a face mask to enter the cathedral?

You must wear a face covering inside Durham Cathedral, unless one of the following exemptions applies to you:

  • You are under the age of 11
  • You cannot wear a face covering because of any physical or mental illness, impairment or disability 
  • You cannot wear a face covering without severe distress
  • You are providing assistance to a person who relies on lip-reading to communicate

Thank you for your continued co-operation and support. For further information please see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

Will there be opportunities to light candles and pray for loved ones inside the church?

Yes, there are a number of candle stands positioned along the one-way route, so that you can offer your prayers and light candles for loved ones if you so wish. 

What does the one-way system look like?

Entry to the cathedral is be via the Galilee Chapel. Members of the public will be directed through the Galilee, past the visitor desk in the west end and into the nave, where socially distanced pew seating will be available either side. From there, you will be able to access candle stations to light candles should you wish, before exiting via the north nave aisle and through the North Door.  

Will I have to queue to get inside Durham Cathedral?

There is a limit on the number of people allowed inside the cathedral at any time. Please be prepared to queue outside and dress appropriately for the weather, should it be inclement. 

Occasional closures or limited access

Sometimes repair work, a special event or service means we have to limit access to all or parts of the cathedral. Knowing that many people often travel from a distance to visit, we try to minimise these times and include information for people planning a visit on these days.

As soon as we know about a closure or limited access we post information below and on the What's On page. Please be aware that, as a working church, some services, such as funerals, are arranged at short notice.

Thank you for your understanding.