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You are here > Home > Things to Do > Attractions > Museums & Galleries

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.

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Number of results: 39

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  1. Exterior view of The Bowes Museum and surrounding gardens

    Add The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1803 reviews1803 reviews

    The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Barnard Castle

    See outstanding collections of art, fashion and design housed in an impressive French-style public Museum set in beautiful parkland. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2023to31 Dec 2023Open 10:00 - 17:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2019VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2016TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for The Bowes Museum
  2. World Heritage Site Visitor Centre

    Add World Heritage Site Visitor Centre to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 129 reviews129 reviews

    World Heritage Site Visitor Centre

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2023to31 Dec 2023Open 09:30 - 17:00

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award 2020 2020TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award 2020
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for World Heritage Site Visitor Centre
  3. Exterior view of The EDAN Gallery

    Add The EDAN Gallery to your Itinerary

    The EDAN Gallery

    Type

    Type:

    Gallery

    Seaham

    The EDAN Gallery is the only dedicated art gallery in East Durham. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Feb 2023to31 Dec 2023Various Opening Times
    More info for The EDAN Gallery
  4. East Durham Heritage and Lifeboat Centre

    Add East Durham Heritage and Lifeboat Centre to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 114 reviews114 reviews

    East Durham Heritage and Lifeboat Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage / Visitor Centre

    Seaham

    The East Durham Heritage and Lifeboat Centre displays the historic lifeboat The George Elmy and gives and insight into the rich heritage of the area.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2023to31 Dec 2023
    More info for East Durham Heritage and Lifeboat Centre
  5. Weardale Museum and High House Chapel

    Add Weardale Museum to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 36 reviews36 reviews

    Weardale Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Ireshopeburn

    Small but fascinating volunteer run folk museum with an amazing collection including the beautiful Weardale Tapestry, displays on mining,a mineral collection and the finds from St Botolph's Chapel, Frosterley.Also a display commemorating the lives…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2023to31 Oct 2023
    More info for Weardale Museum
  6. A gold cross pendant with arms inlaid with precious stones.

    Add Durham Cathedral Museum to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 6984 reviews6984 reviews

    Durham Cathedral Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Cathedral / Minister

    Durham City

    Explore 2000 years of the North East’s history, culture and faith at Durham Cathedral Museum. Step into the octagonal Great Kitchen and get up close to iconic symbols of Durham, including the Sanctuary Ring and St Cuthbert’s Pectoral Cross.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2023to31 Dec 2023
    More info for Durham Cathedral Museum
  7. Children wearing hard hats in Killhope Lead Mine in dark truck full of rocks

    Add Killhope Lead Mining Museum to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 296 reviews296 reviews

    Killhope Lead Mining Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Cowshill

    Killhope is a multi award winning Victorian lead mining museum offering a great day out for the family. Guided mine tours, working water wheel, original machinery, exhibitions, workshops, family events, performances, stunning scenery, Yurt hires,…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2023to31 Oct 2023Open 10:00 - 16:30

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2019VAQAS
    • Green Awards Green Tourism Business Scheme - Gold 2017Green Tourism Business Scheme - Gold
    • Visit England Code of Practice 2017
    • Visit England Visitengland Hidden Gem 2016Visitengland Hidden Gem
    • Visit England Best Told Story 2021Best Told Story
    More info for Killhope Lead Mining Museum
  8. The Auckland Project - No 42 Gallery and Shop

    Add The Auckland Project -  No 42 Gallery and Shop to your Itinerary

    The Auckland Project - No 42 Gallery and Shop

    Type

    Type:

    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…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2023to31 Dec 2023
    More info for The Auckland Project - No 42 Gallery and Shop
  9. external image of Durham Town Hall

    Add Durham Town Hall to your Itinerary

    Durham Town Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Site

    Durham City

    The Town Hall has been central to life in Durham city for more than 650 years.  Learn about the powerful Prince Bishops, the evolution of local government and the historic and ongoing roles of the Mayor and Mayor’s Bodyguard.  Since the 14th Century…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2023to31 Dec 2023Various Opening Times

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport

    Indicative Availability

    Book Durham Town Hall Online (opens in a new window)

    More info for Durham Town Hall
  10. Durham Museum and Heritage Centre

    Add Durham Museum and Heritage Centre to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 112 reviews112 reviews

    Durham Museum and Heritage Centre

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    7 Apr 2023to29 Oct 2023
    More info for Durham Museum and Heritage Centre
  11. Palace Green Library: DLI Collection Gallery

    Add DLI Collection at Palace Green Library to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 123 reviews123 reviews

    DLI Collection at Palace Green Library

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2023to31 Dec 2023Open 10:00 - 17:00

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2019VAQAS
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for DLI Collection at Palace Green Library
  12. In Our Image Sculpture by Joseph Hillier

    Add Sculpture: In Our Image to your Itinerary

    Sculpture: In Our Image

    Type

    Type:

    Public Art

    NEWTON AYCLIFFE

     Designed by artist Joseph Hillier, In Our Image is a landmark designed to represent the industrial heritage of the area.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2023to31 Dec 2023
    More info for Sculpture: In Our Image
  13. 1950s welfare hall beamish museum

    Add 1950's Welfare Hall at Beamish to your Itinerary

    1950's Welfare Hall at Beamish

    Type

    Type:

    Sub-Attraction

    Beamish

    Experience the excitement and community spirit of the 1950's with our new welfare hall. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2023to31 Dec 2023

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2019VAQAS
    More info for 1950's Welfare Hall at Beamish
  14. Spennymoor Town Hall Bob Abley Art Gallery

    Add Spennymoor Town Hall Bob Abley Art Gallery to your Itinerary

    Spennymoor Town Hall Bob Abley Art Gallery

    Type

    Type:

    Gallery

    Spennymoor

    The Gallery houses a permanent collection of art, including paintings by Norman Cornish, as well as being host to at least six exhibitions a year.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2023to31 Dec 2023Various Opening Times
    More info for Spennymoor Town Hall Bob Abley Art Gallery
  15. Aerial view of Blast Beach

    Add Blast Beach to your Itinerary

    Blast Beach

    Type

    Type:

    Nature Reserve

    Seaham

    The Durham Coast is well known for its spectacular wildflowers. Some of the fields at Blast Beach are among the best places to enjoy them, with plants like bloody cranesbill, dyer’s greenweed and devil’s-bit scabious creating a riot of colour in the…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2023to31 Dec 2023
    More info for Blast Beach
  16. Entrance to Oriental Museum

    Add Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 355 reviews355 reviews

    Durham University Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2023to31 Dec 2023Various Opening Times

    Awards

    • Visit England VAQAS 2019VAQAS
    • Green Awards Green Tourism Business Scheme - Gold 2015Green Tourism Business Scheme - Gold
    • Visit England Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2017Quality Assured Visitor Attraction
    • Regional and Miscellaneous North East England Small Visitor Attraction of the Year Highly Commended 2015North East England Small Visitor Attraction of the Year Highly Commended
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2018Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021Northern Saints Trails Passport
    More info for Durham University Oriental Museum
  17. Steam Engine at Locomotion

    Add Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1147 reviews1147 reviews

    Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Shildon

    At Locomotion you can see highlights of the national collection of railway vehicles in the world’s first railway town.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2023to31 Dec 2023

    Awards

    • Regional and Miscellaneous North East England Tourism Awards - Tourism Event of the Year - Bronze 2014North East England Tourism Awards - Tourism Event of the Year - Bronze
    • Visit England Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2017Quality Assured Visitor Attraction
    • Regional and Miscellaneous Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2018Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence
    • Regional and Miscellaneous WTTC Safe Travels 2021WTTC Safe Travels
    More info for Locomotion
  18. Durham Mining Museum

    Add Durham Mining Museum to your Itinerary

    Durham Mining Museum

    Type

    Type:

    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…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2023to31 Dec 2023Various Opening Times
    More info for Durham Mining Museum
  19. seaham food festival

    Add Eleven-O-One to your Itinerary

    Eleven-O-One

    Type

    Type:

    Public Art

    Seaham

    Tommy is a statue of a Great War soldier by artist Ray Lonsdale. Displayed close to Seaham war memorial, on Terrace Green by the seafront in Seaham, County Durham.  It depicts a First World War soldier, wearing boots, puttees, greatcoat and tin hat,…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2023to31 Dec 2023
    More info for Eleven-O-One
  20. Romans on display in the Museum of Archaeology

    Add Museum of Archaeology to your Itinerary

    Tripadvisor

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 45 reviews45 reviews

    Museum of Archaeology

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Durham City

    Enjoy our new special exhibition exploring the rich prehistoric and Roman archaeology and history of Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2023to31 Dec 2023Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Museum of Archaeology
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