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Getting Here

Durham’s World Heritage Site Visitor Centre is located within Palace Green Library a stone throw from Durham Castle and Cathedral.   

Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre 
Palace Green Library 
Palace Green 
Durham 
DH1 3RN 

Tel: +44 (0)191 334 2976 

Email: visitor.centre@durham.ac.uk

Arriving by car 

Please note that there is no parking available at the World Heritage Site Visitor Centre. Parking is available within a 5-10 minute walk.

Prince Bishops Shopping Centre car parking is the nearest car park to Palace Green Library. If you are using a Sat Nav, use DH1 3UJ as the destination for the Prince Bishops Car Park.

Durham has a Park and Ride system, which operates Monday to Saturday 7am to 7pm.  

For other parking options in Durham City please visit the Durham County Council website. 

By foot from Prince Bishops Shopping Centre

From the car park, exit via the pedestrian access route to Prince Bishops Shopping Centre. Turn left and walk through the Shopping Centre until you reach Saddler Street. 

Turn left onto Saddler Street and follow the road as it heads up hill. Take the first turn on the right into Owengate. Owengate leads onto Palace Green, the Durham UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Follow the path around to your right and Palace Green Library will be in front of you, between the Castle and Cathedral. 

By foot from Durham Market Place

This is a walk of 0.2 miles or an approximate 5 minutes. 

Head in the direction of Saddler Street, passing a fish and chip shop on your right-hand side.  

The road will divide, stay to the right and walk up the hill.  

Continue until you reach Owengate on your right-hand side and take this street. 

You will now be on Palace Green, follow the path around to your right and Palace Green Library will be in front of you, between the Castle and Cathedral.

Series of historic stone buildings of different shapes and sizes sit behind a road way. There is a large lawn in the front.

Arriving by public transport

If you arrive into Durham by train or bus, the easiest and most convenient way to reach the World Heritage Site Visitor Centre is by using the Cathedral Bus, which stops directly opposite Palace Green Library.   

This bus stops in the Market Place, in front of the Boots store. If you have parked in the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre car park, walk straight ahead through the shopping centre from the cark park and you will come to this bus stop on your left as you enter the Market Place.

Cosin's Library interior