5 ways to step back in time in Durham

You'll find yourself steeped in history in Durham, as the county shines a light on 2,000 years of the past at amazing attractions and events.

1. Visit the UK's most popular cathedral

Visit Durham City’s UNESCO World Heritage Site to explore majestic Durham Cathedral, recently named Heritage Site of the Year in the BBC Countryfile Magazine awards and the UK's most popular cathedral.

One of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Europe, the Cathedral boasts the most intact surviving set of medieval monastic buildings in the UK.

And now you can journey through 2,000 years of history at Open Treasure, the cathedral's new world-class visitor experience as the story of this magnificent building and its collections is revealed.

Plus this year you will be able to see all three of the cathedral’s Magna Carta and the Forest Charters in the collections gallery from June, before St Cuthbert’s Treasures go on display in the Great Kitchen in July - some of the most significant surviving Anglo-Saxon artefacts in the UK.

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2. Be amazed at Beamish - The Living Museum of the North

In the Vale of Durham experience the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the past at multi award-winning Beamish - The Living Museum of the North.

Hop on a tram and meet costumed folk from the past as you find out what life was like in the North East in the 1800s, early 1900s and 1940s.

And don't miss the Museum's packed programme of events, including the Georgian Fair this weekend.

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3. Journey through time at Palace Green Library

Back in the heart of Durham City's UNESCO World Heritage Site you will encounter Palace Green Library, a fascinating museum home to many treasures, including Durham University's special collections.

The must-see exhibition this summer is Time Machines, which looks at the past, the future and how stories take us there.

Step through a portal and journey through time to discover how advances in science allowed authors to create stories that transport us to the distant past, parallel universes, and future worlds. 

Plus, there’s the chance to discover the history of the Durham Light Infantry at a new, permanent gallery at Palace Green Library.

The exhibition opens on 27th May and you can get ticket information here.

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4. We've got some spectacular historical events lined up

Durham shines a light on the past at even more great attractions and events this year too, including the spectacular live action show Kynren, an Epic Tale of England , which returns to Bishop Auckland for season two after wowing more than 100,000 visitors in 2016.

Plus, The Bowes Museum celebrates its 125th anniversary with a series of exciting events and exhibitions this year, and the Museum's magnificent Silver Swan is back on display after a prestigious loan to London's Science Museum as part of the Robots exhibition.

More events >

5. And there's even more amazing attractions

There's plenty more to see during your history-filled break in Durham. Don't miss Raby Castle, one of England's finest medieval castles, and multi-award winning 19th Century lead mining Museum Killhope which are bith now open for the spring/summer season.

We've got some special offers on accommodation too, so you can stay a little longer and enjoy all Durham has to offer.

For more information and ideas visit thisisdurham.com/heritage