Things To Do
Durham University’s Museums and Attractions promote learning and education for all. We have something to offer just about everyone!
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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.
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Special exhibitions
Explore exciting events and exhibitions across our venues.
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‘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.
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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.
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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.
‘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.
Upcoming events
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Little Dragons
Wednesday 6 December, 20239:30 AM to 10:30 AMOriental Museum/prod01/channel_4/things-to-do/media/things-to-do/oriental-museum/whatx27s-on/oriental-museum-events-calendar/22-0311LD-063-(2).jpg)
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Little Dragons
Wednesday 6 December, 202310:45 AM to 11:45 AMOriental Museum
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Twilight Opening at Oriental Museum
Thursday 7 December, 20235:00 PM to 7:00 PMOriental Museum/prod01/channel_4/things-to-do/media/things-to-do/oriental-museum/87589.jpg)
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Mandala Making
Saturday 9 December, 20231:00 PM to 3:00 PMOriental Museum/prod01/channel_4/things-to-do/media/things-to-do/whatx27s-on/events/Buddha-Head.png)
Little Dragons
Wednesday 6 December, 2023
9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Oriental Museum
Little Dragons
Wednesday 6 December, 2023
10:45 AM to 11:45 AM
Oriental Museum
Twilight Opening at Oriental Museum
Thursday 7 December, 2023
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Mandala Making
Saturday 9 December, 2023
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
About 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.
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Learn
Our Learning and Engagement Team offer a range of interactive taught programmes and events for schools, community groups, families and life-long learners.
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Schools and home education
Find out more about our range of curriculum-linked sessions from Early Years to Post-16.
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Families and lifelong learning
We offer a range of fun, engaging and accessible workshops, resources and experiences for people of all ages.
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Online resources
Explore our range of collections-centred interactives, videos, podcasts and downloadable content.
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.
Want 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.
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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.
Latest news
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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 Archaeology/prod01/channel_4/things-to-do/media/things-to-do/museum-of-archaeology/whatx27s-on/Web-banner.png)
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Oriental 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 Museum/prod01/channel_4/things-to-do/media/durham-university/central-news-and-events-images/Untitled-design-(31).png)
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New 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 Archaeology/prod01/channel_4/things-to-do/media/durham-university/central-news-and-events-images/Stories-of-the-rivewr-wear-news.jpg)
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Step 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 Museum/prod01/channel_4/things-to-do/media/durham-university/marketing-and-communications-/Holi-Festival.jpg-news.jpg)
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Year 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 Museum/prod01/channel_4/things-to-do/media/durham-university/central-news-and-events-images/news/Web-story.png)
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Oriental 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 Museum/prod01/channel_4/things-to-do/media/durham-university/attractions-/oriental-museum-/Kamide-pottery-news.jpg)
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Conserving 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 Castle/prod01/channel_4/things-to-do/media/durham-university/central-news-and-events-images/Norman-Chapel-WEB.png)
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Join 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/prod01/channel_4/things-to-do/media/durham-university/central-news-and-events-images/news/website-image.png)
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 Archaeology
Oriental 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 Museum
New 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 Archaeology
Step 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 Museum
Year 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 Museum
Oriental 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 Museum
Conserving 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 Castle
Join 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
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