About Durham Castle

Visitors can view the Castle by taking a guided tour. The Castle is open for tours on afternoons during term-time. During vacation periods tours are available in the mornings, as well as some afternoons.

Should your event require resources and facilities in addition to those at the Castle, then other University venues that can be utilised. These include additional lecture rooms, large halls suitable for exhibitions and additional bedrooms, all situated within the City.

The present Castle began in 1072 as a simple defensive mound commissioned by William the Conqueror to defend the peninsula formed by the meander in the River Wear. Over the centuries, the Castle has been a residence of the Bishops of Durham who added to the buildings and altered them to suit the needs of the time.

The University of Durham was founded in 1832 by Bishop Van Mildert and the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral. After Van Mildert's death in 1836 the Castle was handed over to the University and became University College in 1837, the oldest of the Durham Colleges. Early generations of students lived either in University House, now Cosin's Hall, or in the Castle Keep which was reconstructed in 1840.

The College is now an academic community within Durham University of around 700 undergraduate and 150 postgraduate students.

Banqueting and private dining

Durham Castle is one of the premier banqueting venues in the North East. The magnificent Great Hall can accommodate up to 200 guests for dinner and is available during University vacations. The more intimate Bishop's Dining Room can hold up to 40 and is available throughout the year.

Accommodation

Bed and Breakfast Accommodation

During University vacations it is possible to book bed and breakfast accommodation in Durham Castle. A wide variety of comfortable bedrooms are available, ranging from standard rooms with shared facilities to magnificent state rooms, which are also available within the University vacation.

Staying at Durham Castle is an unparalleled experience and, whilst unlike a hotel there are not some modern conveniences like TVs in your room or lifts in the buildings, it offers the unique opportunity to stay in part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the perfect base from which to explore Durham. Have your breakfast in the medieval Great Hall and then head out to explore the historic city. Breakfast is served from 8am to 10am Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 10.00am Saturday and Sunday. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome to stay, maximum one dog per room. However, the venue holds a policy that no other dogs can stay overnight.

Please note that as Durham Castle is located on a World Heritage Site, parking is not permitted. The front of the Castle and path are well illuminated during hours of darkness. You can however drive up to Palace Green and drop off/collect your belongings and then move your car elsewhere,  you will need to pay the congestion charge when you do this.

You can find details on parking in the city on the following link Durham City car parks - Durham County Council.

Due to the historic nature of the building, rooms are not wheelchair accessible.  Some rooms are in the Castle Keep have over 100 steps to reach them and within Owengate (outside the Castle walls) have up to 65 steps.  There are limited ground floor rooms and there are no lifts. All the bedrooms are situated on floors above the ground floor level. Access to all bedrooms is via staircases.  The staircases are old fashioned in keeping with the style of the building. They are curved in places and not all treads are similar. Handrails are in place however extra care should be given to guests with visual impairments, or other mobility problems. En-suite rooms have showers, but no baths.

Castle Bedrooms

During University vacations there are 57 en suite and 27 standard (with shared bathrooms) bedrooms available for bed and breakfast accommodation.

An English Breakfast, normally served in the magnificent Great Hall, is included. Rooms include tea and coffee making facilities. Towels and toiletries are provided.

On occasion, breakfast will be served in the Undercroft, rather than the Great Hall, due to ongoing restoration works.

Weddings

Durham Castle is one of the premier venues for wedding receptions in the North East. The magnificent Great Hall, which dates from 1284, can take wedding breakfasts of up to 200, with guests able to enjoy an arrival drinks reception in the Courtyard of the Castle or the Tunstall Gallery. For smaller occasions the more intimate Bishop's Dining Room can take up to 40.

The Castle has two Suites, the Bishop's Suite and the Chaplain's Suite, as well as en suite and standard bedrooms which can be available for you and your guests

The staff at Durham Castle would like to help you prepare for your special day and will do all they can to ensure you enjoy it to the full. Whatever style of wedding you are thinking of we would be happy to discuss it with you.

Civil Ceremonies

Civil ceremonies are available in the Castle, which are non-religious but legally binding, and can be offered to all couples.

Outdoor ceremonies are available in Fellows Garden for a maximum of 100 guests. White outdoor chairs are provided. If the weather is not suitable for an outdoor ceremony, the event will be moved inside to the Norman Gallery.

Indoor ceremonies take place in the Norman Gallery for a maximum of 120 guests. Chairs are provided, with white covers.

Smaller, more intimate, indoor ceremonies can be accommodated in the Bishop's Dining Room for a maximum of 40 guests, or the Bishop Suite for up to 20 guests. Chairs with white covers are provided.

If you have any questions regarding weddings at Durham Castle, or at any of our other Colleges, please contact us through our enquiry form or by calling +44 (0) 800 28 99 70 or +44 (0) 191 334 2887.

Durham Registrars conduct the service which must be booked directly with them by the couple as legal paperwork will need to be completed, and timeslots and dates checked for availability. Contact details are Aykley Heads House Register Office, Aykley Heads, Durham City DH1 5TS, Tel +44 (0) 3000 266 000. Please check availability at Durham Castle before contacting the Registrars. Fees for the Registrars are paid direct to them.

Please note that hire charges will apply for use of the ceremony spaces within Durham Castle.

Meetings

Telephone:

The Porters Lodge: +44 (0) 191 334 3800

Guided Tours: +44 (0) 191 334 2932

Event Booking: +44 (0) 800 28 99 70