Things to Do in Durham
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You are here > Home > Things to Do > Attractions > Museums & Galleries
You'll find a range of museums and galleries across the county. From Durham University's Oriental Museum to Beamish - England's largest open air museum and the surprising sight of The Bowes Museum in the Durham Dales - housing internationally significant fine arts.
See more below.
Number of results: 35
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Historic Site
Durham City
The Town Hall has been central to life in Durham city for more than 650 years. A recent makeover complete with new interpretation, interactive information points, short films and audio guides all combine to bring this stunning building, and the…
Cathedral / Minister
Durham City
Open Treasure is an award-winning museum for all ages which guides visitors through some of Durham Cathedral’s most spectacular spaces, including the fourteenth-century Monks’ Dormitory and the monastic Great Kitchen.
Museum
Durham City
Explore Ancient Egypt and Western Asia, the Himalayas, China, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia all in one museum. The Oriental Museum is devoted to the art and archaeology of the great cultures of North Africa and Asia.
Gallery
Bishop Auckland
No.42 is home to The Auckland Project’s Art, Social History Collection and Future Plans Exhibition. Here you can see some of the intriguing objects and archives that The Auckland Project holds, as well as hearing some of the fascinating oral…
Public Art
NEWTON AYCLIFFE
Designed by artist Joseph Hillier, In Our Image is a landmark designed to represent the industrial heritage of the area.
Museum
Durham City
Explore the history of the Durham Light Infantry enjoying items from the collection with audio, displays and access to the medal collection on demand in the Barker Research Library.
Heritage / Visitor Centre
Spennymoor
Spennymoor Town Hall has it’s dedicated memorial to the works and lives lost during the mining period across County Durham. Events cover mining in the Northern part of England i.e. County Durham, Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmorland and the…
Heritage / Visitor Centre
The centre provides a unique interpretation of the fascinating local heritage, heritage skills training for volunteers and has business units to support creative businesses in the area. In addition, the site is also home to a small café and gift…
Public Art
Peterlee
An iconic example of 1960s public art and designed by Edwin John Victor Pasmore (d. 1998) during his time as consultant Director of urban design for Peterlee Development Corporation. It was opened in 1969, the same year as the first manned mission…
Museum
Durham City
Local history museum housed in historic church near cathedral. Tells the story of Durham from 10thC to present day using displays, models and artefacts. Brass rubbing and shop.
Gallery
Bishop Auckland
Bishop Auckland Town Hall is a multi-purpose cultural venue situated in Bishop Auckland market place. It offers regular art exhibitions, live music, theatre and films as well as a café and library with free internet access and local history…
Museum
Barnard Castle
An iconic building and Museum set in the vibrant market town of Barnard Castle in the midst of Teesdale, housing outstanding collections of European fine and decorative art.
Gallery
Bishop Auckland
The gallery will house a special programme of exhibitions, bringing fine art to Bishop Auckland, in particular European paintings dating from 1600 to 1900. This will include masterpieces on loan from private collections.
Heritage / Visitor Centre
Durham City
A free visitor centre providing an introduction to Durham World Heritage Site and what there is to see and do in and around the site. Ideal for families.
Arts Centre
Barnard Castle
The Witham is a community venue for theatre, music, art and social events, facilities range from the architecturally award-winning café bar to a fully-renovated Victorian music hall.
Heritage / Visitor Centre
Newbiggin
Situated amidst stunning woodland, near to Low and High Force waterfalls and surrounded by rolling fields that boast some of the best hay meadows in England, Bowlees Visitor Centre has all you need to make your visit to the North Pennines Area of…
Museum
Durham
Palace Green Library, in the heart of Durham city, holds Durham University's special collections. Our galleries are open to all and display treasures spanning millennia and the globe.
Museum
Beamish
Experience a real sense of your past at Beamish, a living, working museum, set in 300 acres of beautiful Durham countryside.
Museum
Durham City
**Closed until further notice**
Living on the Hills - 10,000 years of Durham. This permanent exhibition uses objects from Museum of Archaeology, alongside objects from across Durham University and other regional museums to explore the last 10,000…
Gallery
Bishop Auckland
With three permanent rooms and one temporary exhibition space on the ground floor, the gallery explores working life in the coal mines through original artefacts and artworks by prominent mining artists such as Tom McGuinness and Norman Cornish.
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