Castles · North East England
Durham Castle
In or near Durham.
Durham Castle — Grade I listed historic house museum in Durham, England, UK.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
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Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1.5 h–3 h
- Nearest railway station
- Durham · 0.7 km
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit Durham Castle, the nearest railway station is Durham, located 0.7 km away. The postcode for sat-nav is DH1 3HB. Please note that wheelchair accessibility is limited.
About
Durham Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Records date its origin to 1072. It covers approximately 9 km². Built in the Norman architecture style. Heritage designation: Grade I listed building. Part of Durham Castle and Cathedral. Wikidata describes it as: "Grade I listed historic house museum in Durham, England, UK". Coordinates: 54.7749°, -1.5756°.
Photo gallery
360° viewimagery from 2021
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Heritage listing
Durham Castle is a Norman castle in the city of Durham, England, which has been occupied since 1837 by University College, Durham after its previous role as the residence of the Bishops of Durham. Designated since 1986 as a cultural World Heritage Site in England, along with Durham Cathedral, the castle is open to the general public to visit, but only through guided tours, since it is in use as a working building and is home to over 100 students.
From the Historic England List Entry under OGL v3.
Summary from the official site
Durham Castle, part of Durham University's facilities, has been continuously occupied since the 11th century. Visitors can explore its rich history through guided tours that highlight significant areas such as the underground chapel and the Great Hall.
Read more on the official property page.
From the Wikipedia article
Durham Castle is a Norman castle in the city of Durham, England, which has been occupied since 1837 by University College, Durham after its previous role as the residence of the Bishops of Durham. Designated since 1986 as a cultural World Heritage Site in England, along with Durham Cathedral, the castle is open to the general public to visit, but only through guided tours, since it is in use as a working building and is home to over 100 students. The castle stands on top of a hill above the River Wear on Durham's peninsula, opposite Durham Cathedral (grid reference NZ274423).
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
Construction of the castle, of the motte and bailey design favoured by the Normans, began in 1072 under the orders of William the Conqueror, six years after the Norman conquest of England, and soon after the Normans first came to the North. The construction took place under the supervision of Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria, until he rebelled against William and was executed in 1076. Stone for the new buildings was cut from the cliffs below the walls and moved up using winches. The holder of the office of the bishop of Durham, Bishop Walcher at the time, was appointed by the king to exercise royal authority on his behalf, with the castle being his seat. The prince-bishops were entitled to…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 54.7749, -1.5756
- District
- County Durham
- Parish
- City of Durham
- Postcode
- DH1 3HB
- Parliamentary constituency
- City of Durham
- Established
- 1072
- Nearest railway station
- Durham — 0.7 km
- Official site
- www.dur.ac.uk
Sources
- wikidata: Q752266 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Durham Castle (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Durham Castle, April 2017 (14) (33459522640).jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Durham Light Infantry - Victoria Cross memorial
Memorials & monuments · 0.0 km
Durham University
Other places · 0.0 km
Durham Castle and Cathedral
UNESCO World Heritage · 0.0 km
Bishop Cosin's Hall
Palaces · 0.0 km
Shaheen's Indian
Restaurants · 0.1 km
Palace Green
Gardens · 0.1 km
Bishop Cosin's Library
Historic libraries · 0.1 km
Durham University Department of Music
Other places · 0.1 km
Durham Law School
Other places · 0.1 km
Bishop Cosin's Almshouses
Memorials & monuments · 0.1 km
Institute of Advanced Study
Palaces · 0.1 km
John Gully MP
Memorials & monuments · 0.1 km
Nearby
📷 3Memorials & monuments · North East England
Durham Light Infantry - Victoria Cross memorial
Durham Light Infantry - Victoria Cross memorial — a memorial in scotland-lowlands, United Kingdom.
📷 4Other places · North East England
Durham University
Durham University in England North East, United Kingdom.
📷 3UNESCO World Heritage · North East England
Durham Castle and Cathedral
Durham Castle and Cathedral — World Heritage site in Durham, County Durham, England, UK.
📷 4Palaces · North East England
Bishop Cosin's Hall
Bishop Cosin's Hall in England North East, United Kingdom.
📷 7Restaurants · North East England
Shaheen's Indian
Shaheen's Indian — a restaurant in scotland lowlands.
★ Iconic📷 5Gardens · North East England
Palace Green
Palace Green — green space in Durham, England.
Where to eat & stay near Durham Castle
Places to stay
📷 5Hotels · North East England
Durham Marriott Hotel Royal County
Durham Marriott Hotel Royal County — a hotel in scotland lowlands.
📷 5B&Bs · North East England
Castle View Guest House
Castle View Guest House — a bed-and-breakfast in scotland lowlands.
📷 5Hotels · North East England
Hotel Indigo Durham
Hotel Indigo Durham — a hotel in scotland lowlands.
📷 5B&Bs · North East England
The Georgian Town House
The Georgian Town House — a bed-and-breakfast in scotland lowlands.
📷 5Hotels · North East England
Radisson Blu
Radisson Blu — a hotel in scotland lowlands.
📷 5Campsites · North East England
Durham Amateur Rowing Club
Durham Amateur Rowing Club — a campsite in scotland lowlands.
Places to eat & drink
📷 7Restaurants · North East England
Shaheen's Indian
Shaheen's Indian — a restaurant in scotland lowlands.
📷 5📷 6Cafés · North East England
Flat White Kitchen
Flat White Kitchen — a café in scotland lowlands.
📷 7Restaurants · North East England
Fat Hippo
Fat Hippo — a restaurant in scotland lowlands.
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Appleby Castle
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Durham Castle?
- Durham Castle is in the Scottish Lowlands, United Kingdom (postcode DH1 3HB), in the parish of City of Durham.
- What is Durham Castle?
- Durham Castle — Grade I listed historic house museum in Durham, England, UK.
- How do I get to Durham Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Durham, about 0.7 km away. Drivers can use postcode DH1 3HB.
- When was Durham Castle built?
- Built or established in 1072.
- Is Durham Castle a listed building?
- Durham Castle is officially recognised as Grade I listed building listed.
- Does Durham Castle charge admission?
- Durham Castle typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
- How do I get to Durham Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Durham, about 0.7 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode DH1 3HB.