Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

About

Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens sits in beautiful open countryside near Durham City. An arts, heritage and events venue, waiting for you to escape the everyday, stop the world for a while and be surprised. 

Each corner of Ushaw is a curiosity, waiting to wow. Lose yourself in the grounds, be amazed by beautiful buildings and marvel at centuries of art, history and heritage.

One of Britain’s best places to see Gothic Revival, Georgian and Victorian architecture, much of the splendid design and craftsmanship on show at Ushaw is the work of Augustus Pugin – architect for the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, his sons and grandsons. 

The main house and associated building is home to exhibitions, art and a world renowned library. You can take a guided tour or wander freely through corridors, chapels and cloisters experiencing unbroken peace and tranquillity. For those who want to know more about the buildings and the treasures they hold, curator talks and library experiences take place monthly. 

Our packed calendar of events is a great reason to keep dropping by, from classic car shows to live music, theatre and family fun; there's always something to capture your imagination at Ushaw. 

If we've left you wanting more, it's easy to keep the magic alive with an Annual Membership which includes unlimited visits to the house, chapels, gardens, and exhibitions. Plus, you’ll enjoy free, fast-track entry to exciting events throughout the year. 

For an even more immersive experience, stay at Ushaw’s charming Bed & Breakfast.

 

**Accessibility: It is important to us that our House and Gardens can be enjoyed by everyone. Our Ornamental Gardens have pathways that are suitable for wheelchairs and other walking aides.

The East Entrance provides accessible access to all our buildings including our Chapels, Café, Theatre and Exhibition spaces. 

Blue badge parking is available by the East Entrance. Please call at the Visitor Centre car park and our staff will give you access to the route and alert colleagues in the main house to your arrival. **