Things To Do
Durham University’s Museums and Attractions promote learning and education for all. We have something to offer just about everyone!Our Venues
Durham University is home to internationally important collections from across history and around the globe. We welcome visitors to our museums and galleries and garden. Located in two clusters, at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and to the south of the city, our venues are open year-round and are open to all.
Durham Castle Botanic Garden Oriental Museum Museum of Archaeology Historic Libraries World Heritage Site Visitor Centre ArtSpecial exhibitions
Explore exciting events and exhibitions across our venues.
‘There was light’: Amunhotep III and his Dazzling Age
Using the collections of the Oriental Museum, this exhibition focuses on the family of Tutankhamun and the courtiers who surrounded them.Take a Stitch 2 Durham
Creative textile artists and stitchers Take a Stitch 2 Durham present their 2023 exhibition inspired by 950 years of Durham Castle.Guardians of the Silk Road’s Heritage: Women of the mountains of Central Asia
Showcasing the artists and craftswomen who are preserving traditional knowledge and skills and popularising Central Asian folk art. View moreUpcoming events
Twilight Talk - Discoveries from the Art Collection auditing project
Thursday 9 May, 2024 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre, Museum of ArchaeologyTwilight Opening at Palace Green Library
Thursday 9 May, 2024 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre, Museum of ArchaeologyFroggy Friends
Saturday 11 May, 2024 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Oriental MuseumVoices: contemporary art and craft from the Middle East and North Africa
Friday 29 September, 2023 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Oriental Museum More upcoming eventsAbout us
Durham University’s museums, collections and Botanic Garden welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Our aim is to be a front door to Durham University, sharing the wealth of knowledge and research generated by students and academics from all over the world who use our collections. Find out more about who we are and how you can get in contact.
Explore moreLearn
Our Learning and Engagement Team offer a range of interactive taught programmes and events for schools, community groups, families and life-long learners.
Schools and home education
Find out more about our range of curriculum-linked sessions from Early Years to Post-16.Families and lifelong learning
We offer a range of fun, engaging and accessible workshops, resources and experiences for people of all ages.Online resources
Explore our range of collections-centred interactives, videos, podcasts and downloadable content. View moreWant to get involved?
There are lots of different ways you can get involved with our venues and collections.
Find out more about joining one of our Friends organisations, volunteering your time or donating to the collections. Learn more about our opportunities for artists and creative practitioners.
Find out more dummy u-py-4 md:u-py-6 lg:u-py-10 ">Research
We welcome anyone who wishes to study our collections and archives. We offer a range of research facilities at our museums and other collections sites for pre-booked research visits.
View moreLatest news
Filter:MA Students Produce New Archaeology Exhibition
A diverse group of international students, including participants from North America, China and India, have worked together to produce the latest exhibition on display at the Museum of Archaeology. ‘Throwing it Out There: The Archaeology of Ritual, Rivers and Rubbish’ will open on 15 June. The students have created this exhibition as part of their course, the MA Museum and Artefact Studies, in the Department of Archaeology. Museum of ArchaeologyOriental Museum hosts ‘Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki’ exhibition
A new exhibition opening soon at our Oriental Museum depicts the horrors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear bombing. Oriental MuseumNew exhibition reveals Stories of the River Wear
'Stories from the River: Exploring the history of Durham, the finds of underwater archaeologist Gary Bankhead', launches on Monday 20 February at the Museum of Archaeology within Palace Green Library. The exhibition explores the stories connected through objects discovered in the River Wear, evoking the social history of Durham’s past 800 years. Museum of ArchaeologyStep into spring celebrating Holi Festival at the Oriental Museum
Join students and community volunteers when they spring into action to help celebrate the spectacular Indian festival of Holi at the Oriental Museum on Saturday 11 March, 12 noon – 5pm. Oriental MuseumYear of the Rabbit
We would like to wish all those preparing for and celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Rabbit a very happy and healthy New Year. A range of exciting celebrations will be taking place across the University and City to mark the special occasion. Oriental MuseumOriental Museum welcomes Master Japanese Potter
Master Japanese potter Keigo Kamide is visiting the Oriental Museum on Wednesday 23 November, to give a free talk about his art and the ancient craft of Kutani. His talk will be illustrated with a selected display of his works for visitors to enjoy. Oriental MuseumConserving Durham City’s oldest standing building
Work has started on conserving and improving the oldest standing building in Durham City – the 11th century Norman Chapel inside Durham Castle. Durham CastleJoin us for Community Fun Day 2022
We are so excited to be hosting our Community Fun Day once again, and we are inviting you to join us! Come along to enjoy an exciting range of activities from across the County to celebrate the best of Durham community projects. The event will be taking place on a marquee on Palace Green from 10am until 3pm on Saturday October 29. Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre More newsFollow us
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