Durham Castle - Guided Tours
Experience over 1000 years of history on a Durham Castle Tour and discover how it functions today as the home of University College.
Select date and time
Location
Durham Castle
Palace Green Durham DH1 3RW United KingdomRefund Policy
About this event
Take a tour around one Durham's most significant historic buildings, designated a World Heritage Site since 1986.
Our knowledgeable and friendly tour guides will take you through the gatehouse and into the heart of the historic building, where you will experience stories and tales from 950 years of living history. Find out about the early days of the Castle, built in the 1070s as a Norman fortress by William the Conqueror, and learn about the powerful Prince-Bishops of Durham, whose seat of power was based for hundreds of years at Durham Castle. Discover how the building became the first college of Durham University and how today it is the home of University College students, who live and learn in Durham Castle.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
- Tours last approx. 45-50 minutes.
- Please collect a lanyard from Palace Green Library (in between the Castle and Cathedral) prior to the tour start time.
- More tickets are available and can be purchased from Palace Green Library, we currently also have other tour times available via desk purchase only. Please contact by telephone on +44 (0)191 334 2932 or email castle.tours@durham.ac.uk to check availability.
- Due to the residential nature of the building entrance is by guided tour only. The following tour times are a general guide as it is sometimes necessary to cancel tours at short notice due to University or commercial activities.
About your visit
- Please arrive on time for your tour - unfortunately we won't be able to accommodate arrivals outside of the chosen tour start time. The time you have booked is the start time of your tour.
- The historic nature and layout of the Castle means that the majority of the building is inaccessible to wheelchair users. The tour route involves many steps and staircases, some of which are uneven. Accessibility within the Castle is limited due to access to areas via steps only. Any visitors with accessibility needs please contact 0191 334 2932 to discuss. For a full access statement to the venue, please visit our FAQs at the bottom of this page.
- All children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Please consult our FAQs for more information - if you have any other question not covered on this page, please call us at 0191 334 2932 or email us at castle.tours@duham.ac.uk.
On selected dates in April (Thursday 10th, Saturday 19th, Friday 25th) we are offering self-led visits to Durham Castle. If you would like to visit on one of these days please book through our main page here
Frequently asked questions
Since Durham Castle is a working college of Durham University members of the public can only visit the building accompanied by a guide. Only on very few selected dates throughout the year we allow visits on a self-guided basis and publish them on this website when available.
Please note that there is no parking available at Durham Castle. The nearest car park, the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre car park, is a 5-10 minute walk. For more information about parking please visit: https://www.dur.ac.uk/things-to-do/venues/durham-castle/visit/getting-here/
For more information on the areas you will see during your tour, you can visit: https://www.dur.ac.uk/things-to-do/venues/durham-castle/visit/tickets-and-times/whats-on-a-tour/
Unfortunately only assistance and therapy pets can be taken along on a tour, family pets are not allowed. A bowl of water for your dog can be requested at the desk at Palace Green Library.
Photos can be taken during a tour, both outside and inside the building. We please ask that you don't use a flash as it can damage our artefacts. We also ask that you refrain from taking pictures of students for privacy reasons.
Refunds will be offered up to midnight of the day before your tour is due. Please note we are unable to offer refunds requested on the day of the tour itself.
The historic nature and layout of the Castle means that unfortunately the majority of the building is not easily accessible by people with limited mobility. A full access statement to the venue can be found here: https://www.dur.ac.uk/things-to-do/venues/durham-castle/visit/access/
You are welcome to come along if you have a pushchair, however you will need to leave it on the ground floor of the castle as it will not be allowed on the upper level. Your guide will show you a dedicated area to store it for the duration of the tour.
Palace Green Library has lockers that can be used by members of the public, however these cannot hold suitcases or large bags. We will not be able to keep any large bags on site, so please make sure you find alternative solutions before your visit.
Toilets are available inside the castle and your guide will be happy to direct you to them. There is one toilet equipped for disabled use, although this is accessed via a set of six steps. Additional toilets are located at Palace Green Library, including a fully accessible toilet.
Our gift shop is located inside Palace Green Library, where you will find a small range of gifts, souvenirs and publications inspired by the castle and our exhibitions and collections. Locally sourced gifts, postcards and Durham Castle branded souvenirs are also available.