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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

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Add Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

Entrance to Oriental Museum
  • Entrance to 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

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. 

 

Book Tickets

Guide 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 2019
  • 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:

4.5 of 5 stars
355 reviews
    • Excellent
      244
    • Very Good
      94
    • Average
      13
    • Poor
      2
    • Terrible
      2

    Recent Reviews:

    • katyportwood
      Dunbar, United Kingdom
      Hidden gem
      5 of 5 stars
      Saturday, 28th May 2022
      This is a fabulous small specialist museum, containing exhibits from China, Japan, India and Egypt among others. It contains a fascinating range of artifacts, beautifully curated and accompanied by... Read full review
    • NKL1988
      London, United Kingdom
      Insightful and interactive
      5 of 5 stars
      Tuesday, 7th June 2022
      Free admission for something that is so incredibly formatted. It walks you through the history of China, Japan, Himalayas and India. The artefacts were amazing. A must visit if you have time in... Read full review
    • DarthBoarder
      Cockermouth, United Kingdom
      A REAL TREASURE TROVE
      5 of 5 stars
      Thursday, 9th June 2022
      Booking is required but entrance is free. No6 bus from Durham bus depot delivers you to the door and whilst you are there the Botanical Gardens are also worth a visit. The museum is modern with... Read full review
    Write a review
    © TripAdvisor 2022

    Facilities

    Accessibility

    • Access Statement - Please see below

    Parking & Transport

    • Parking (free)

    Access Information

    Visit External Site

    Opening Times

    2022 (19 May 2022 - 23 Dec 2022)
    DayTimes
    MondayClosed
    Tuesday - Wednesday10:00 - 17:00
    Thursday10:00 - 19:00
    Friday10:00 - 17:00
    Saturday - Sunday12:00 - 17:00
    Bank Holiday12:00 - 17:00
    facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Oriental.Museum60/?ref=ts&fref=ts

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