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The Cathedral is open every day of the year.

Entrance to the Cathedral Church and Cloister

We encourage visitors to make a donation and do not charge admission. Please donate as generously as you can as we care for this wonderful building and all that we do. 

We suggest a donation of £3 per person.

Entry to the Cathedral is via the Galilee Chapel, as the north door is currently closed for maintenance work.

Opening times for visitors

  • Monday - Saturday: until 6pm
  • Sunday: until 5.30pm
The Visitor Desk will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Visitors to the Cathedral are still very welcome.
 

Open Treasure exhibition opening times

  • Monday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm. Last admission is 4pm.
  • Sunday: 12.30pm - 5pm. Last admission is 4pm.
Open Treasure is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. 
 

There is a charge to visit this area. Occasionally we need to close it to change exhibitions. Find out more in Open Treasure.

Worship and private prayer

 

All are welcome to join us in worship and private prayer. 

Details of regular services and prayers are below.   

More information about worship can be seen at Worship and Music

 

 

Shop and restaurant opening times

The Cathedral Shop opening times

Monday - Saturday: 9am - 5.30pm
Sunday: 12 noon - 5pm

Christmas and New Year opening hours:
Christmas Eve: 9am-2pm
Christmas Day: CLOSED
Boxing Day: CLOSED
27, 28 and 29 December: 9am - 5.30pm
30 December: 12noon - 5pm
New Year's Eve: 9am - 2pm
New Year's Day: CLOSED

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

The Undercroft Restaurant opening times

Open 10am - 4pm every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Good Friday.

Closes at 2pm on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

Enjoy a tasty snack or meal in the beautiful medieval undercroft. Find out more in Undercroft Restaurant.

Regular services

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

Sundays

  • 8am - Holy Communion
  • 10am - Matins
  • 11.15am - Sung Eucharist
  • 3.30pm Evensong

Weekdays

8.45am - Morning Prayer

12.30pm - Holy Communion

5.15pm - Evensong or Evening Prayer

Wednesdays and Church festivals

7.30am - Holy Communion

Regular Prayers

Daily 

11.15am and 3.00pm - Shrine Prayers for St Cuthbert, in the Feretory

Second Tuesday of every month

11.15am - Durham Deanery Mothers' Union Prayer Group Meeting, the Gregory Chapel 

Thursdays

12noon - Prayers for Peace and Justice

Fridays during Lent

12noon - Prayers at the Pietà

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.

As soon as we know about a closure or limited access we post information below. However we are a working church some services, such as funerals, are arranged at short notice.

You can also check for any last minutes changes before your visit on our: