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Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.

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    This is Durham Blog

You are here > Home > Things to Do > Durham University Oriental Museum

Durham University Oriental Museum

Elvet Hill
Durham City
County Durham
DH1 3TH

Tel: +44 0191 334 5691

Email

Visit Website

Add Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

Entrance to Durham University Oriental Museum
  • Entrance to Durham University Oriental Museum
  • man looking at display with large golden Buddha head
  • inside foyer of Oriental Museum
  • Exhibitions at Durham University Oriental Museum
  • The Egypt Gallery at the Oriental Museum
  • Durham University Oriental Museum
  • Durham University Oriental Museum
  • Durham University Oriental Museum
  • Oriental Museum Main 2
  • Oriental Museum showcase

About

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. Objects on display range in date from prehistoric to contemporary art works. Visitors can see ancient Egyptian mummies, Chinese porcelain created for the imperial court, Japanese woodblock prints and head-hunting swords from Borneo.

The museum is laid out geographically so you can focus on one area or range across whole continents.  Activities for families spread throughout the museum including dressing up, colouring, games and puzzles.  We also have regularly changing themed trails around the museum aimed at different age groups from Under 5s to adults.  The galleries have plenty of seating areas and the museum is fully accessible. 

In addition to our permanent galleries the museum hosts a regularly changing programme of special exhibitions related to the collections together with talks, art workshops and special evening events. 

View our accessibility information
AccessAble Guide

Book Tickets

Prices

**At present - admission for ALL visitors is free (though spaces must be pre-booked)**

Gradings

  • VAQAS VB Attraction
VAQAS VB Attraction

Awards

  • Visit EnglandVAQAS VAQAS 2021
  • Green AwardsGreen Tourism Business Scheme - Gold Green Tourism Business Scheme - Gold 2015
  • Visit EnglandQuality Assured Visitor Attraction Quality Assured Visitor Attraction 2017
  • Regional and MiscellaneousNorth East England Small Visitor Attraction of the Year Highly Commended North East England Small Visitor Attraction of the Year Highly Commended 2015
  • Regional and MiscellaneousTrip Advisor Certificate of Excellence Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2018
  • Regional and MiscellaneousNorthern Saints Trails Passport Northern Saints Trails Passport 2021

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.6 of 5 stars
378 reviews
    • Excellent
      263
    • Very Good
      96
    • Average
      14
    • Poor
      2
    • Terrible
      3

    Recent Reviews:

    • TKcamb
      Cambridge, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      A great find
      5 of 5 stars
      Sunday, 14th July 2024
      Excellent museum. Great selection of exhibits along with periodic special exhibitions (currently concerned with attempt on Everest). Not overly large but packs a lot in. And free admission is a... Read full review
    • Jacqueline C
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Well worth a visit.
      5 of 5 stars
      Thursday, 8th August 2024
      We visited on a Wednesday afternoon. We did not know what to expect but what a special place this is. Bright, well laid out and a spectacular exhibition and Museum. The staff were very friendly and... Read full review
    • Lady_Snowhawk
      Greater London, United Kingdom
      Wonderfully curated free museum
      5 of 5 stars
      Monday, 23rd September 2024
      Despite the slightly outdated name, this place is an absolute charming museum and well renovated and designed, making it a definite trip for anyone considering visiting Durham or actively living... Read full review
    Write a review
    © TripAdvisor 2025

    Facilities

    Accessibility

    • Access Statement - Please see below

    Parking & Transport

    • Parking (free)

    Access Information

    Visit External Site

    Opening Times

    2025 (5 Jan 2025 - 23 Dec 2025)
    DayTimes
    MondayClosed
    Tuesday - Friday10:00 - 17:00
    Saturday - Sunday12:00 - 17:00
    Bank Holiday12:00 - 17:00

    * We are open until 7pm on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.

    facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Oriental.Museum60/?ref=ts&fref=ts

    Map & Directions

    Map Link

    View Map

    Highlights...

    Saturday, 21st June 2025 - Saturday, 21st June 2025

    Drawing of a anime-style storyboardTelling Tales: Making Stories Come to Life at The Oriental MuseumCheck out our amazing new temporary exhibition Telling Tales and make a storyboard of your favourite story.
    more info

    Friday, 13th June 2025 - Sunday, 9th November 2025

    Artist Dinah Kelly in her studioEnchanted Objects: Adornment and Personal Protection from Amulets to the Mobile PhoneContemporary artist Dinah Kelly shines a light on the protective powers and symbolism of charms, talismans and amulets.
    more info

    Saturday, 14th June 2025 - Saturday, 14th June 2025

    An Amulet at the Oriental MuseumAmulet Making Workshop at The Oriental MuseumLearn about amulets and talismans and make your own pendant.
    more info

    Saturday, 28th June 2025 - Saturday, 28th June 2025

    Traditional Korean drumming performance at the Oriental Museum.P'ungmul Music Performance and Family Activities at The Oriental MuseumExperience a FREE South Korean drumming performance presented by students from the Durham University P'ungmul Society and try writing a secret code in Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.
    more info

    Saturday, 5th July 2025 - Saturday, 5th July 2025

    A model of a boat at The Oriental MuseumRide the Wave at The Oriental MuseumSpot the boats in the museum and make 3D sea sculpture.
    more info

    Saturday, 12th July 2025 - Saturday, 12th July 2025

    A wooden carving of the Buddhist figure of GuanyinThe Path of Kindness at The Oriental MuseumDiscover the latest scientific research we've been doing on a very special statue of Guanyin and use your imagination to recreate how it might have looked like 500 years ago.
    more info

    Saturday, 19th July 2025 - Saturday, 19th July 2025

    A Japanese fanFANtastic! at The Oriental MuseumMake a beautiful fan to help you stay cool over the summer!
    more info

    Wednesday, 23rd July 2025 - Wednesday, 23rd July 2025

    a diver under the surface of the oceanSunken Shipwrecks at The Oriental MuseumHunt for the Tek Sing shipwreck and learn how underwater archaeologists study shipwrecks.
    more info

    Friday, 25th July 2025 - Friday, 25th July 2025

    x-ray photograph of a knee jointMysterious Mummies at The Oriental MuseumLearn how archaeologists study Ancient Egyptian mummies and make an x-ray of your own!
    more info

    Saturday, 26th July 2025 - Saturday, 26th July 2025

    Japanese KimonoDress Up at The Oriental MuseumSee a beautiful Japanese kimono and try dressing up your own mini doll.
    more info

    Wednesday, 30th July 2025 - Wednesday, 30th July 2025

    Chinese Stone MaskFakes and Forgeries at The Oriental MuseumBe a detective and hunt down some objects that might not be exactly what they seem and make one of your own.
    more info

    Friday, 1st August 2025 - Friday, 1st August 2025

    Modern Japanese bluish glass sculpture with a design based on ancient form.Exploring Ancient Japan at The Oriental MuseumLearn about prehistoric Japan and make a clay dogu figure.
    more info

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