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You are here > Home > What's On > Historic Events

Historic Events

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Durham with our curated guide to historic events.

Explore living history experiences, heritage festivals, and captivating reenactments that bring the past to life. Delve into Durham's historical exhibitions, attend talks and lectures, and celebrate the cultural richness of the region. From interactive history events to commemorations at historic landmarks, discover the charm and significance of Durham's historical happenings. Plan your journey through time and uncover the captivating stories woven into Durham's vibrant historical tapestry.

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Number of results: 50

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  1. Roger Wagner The Seeds of Eternity exhibition.

    Add Roger Wagner: The Seeds of Eternity - Exhibition at Auckland Palace to your Itinerary

    Roger Wagner: The Seeds of Eternity - Exhibition at Auckland Palace

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    The Bishop Trevor Rooms at Auckland Palace will host an exhibition of the works of artist and poet Roger Wagner. Weaving together Biblical narratives and contemporary landscapes, Wagner's visionary paintings explore the mysteries of human existence.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    18 Feb 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Roger Wagner: The Seeds of Eternity - Exhibition at Auckland Palace
  2. Exterior view of Crook Hall Gardens during summertime.

    Add Crook Hall Gardens Tour: History and Literary Links - Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Crook Hall Gardens Tour: History and Literary Links - Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Historical

    Durham

    Join volunteer Chris for a guided tour of Crook Hall Gardens and the medieval hall. Learn about the history of the home, all the way back 1217, when it first appears in written records. Hear about some of the fascinating families who lived here over…

    Dates

    From:
    3 June 2026to28 Oct 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Crook Hall Gardens Tour: History and Literary Links - Crook Hall Gardens
  3. Exterior view of Crook Hall Gardens during summertime.

    Add History of Durham City Walk - Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    History of Durham City Walk - Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Durham

    A guided walk from Crook Hall Gardens delving into the history of Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    9 June 2026to27 Oct 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for History of Durham City Walk - Crook Hall Gardens
  4. Large sculpture of a Velociraptor dinosaur in the lobby of Ushaw.

    Add Extinction - Ushaw, Historic Houses, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Extinction - Ushaw, Historic Houses, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    Bearpark, Durham

    Extinction affects us all and one in ten of our wildlife in the UK is critically endangered. Scientists have identified five periods of mass extinction over the geological record and the question is now being asked: are we in a sixth? The exhibition…

    Dates

    From:
    20 June 2026to8 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Extinction - Ushaw, Historic Houses, Chapels and Gardens
  5. The library at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens - rows of historical books and view of arched window at the rear.

    Add Discover Big Library - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Discover Big Library - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Historical

    Durham

    Experience the Big Library on the first Friday of every month (July-Dec 2026) as we celebrate the 175th anniversary of one of Britain’s most extraordinary historic libraries.

    Dates

    From:
    3 July 2026to4 Dec 2026
    More info for Discover Big Library - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  6. An old historic book with ornate illustrations

    Add Light and Fire: 500 Years of Tyndale’s New Testament - The Faith Museum to your Itinerary

    Light and Fire: 500 Years of Tyndale’s New Testament - The Faith Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    A courageous man and his ‘naughtily translated’ book

    Dates

    From:
    15 July 2026to31 Dec 2026Open 10:30 - 16:00
    More info for Light and Fire: 500 Years of Tyndale’s New Testament - The Faith Museum
  7. Grand Finale all cast of Kynren view from the tribune

    Add Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026 to your Itinerary

    Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Performance

    Bishop Auckland

    Step into Kynren, a live action outdoor theatre spectacular that immerses you in 2000 years of history on an epic scale.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to12 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026
  8. People sat in the hall of Redhills during the conference, Trade Union Banner decorate the walls

    Add 21st Century Social Clubs: Annual Conference 2026 - Redhills to your Itinerary

    21st Century Social Clubs: Annual Conference 2026 - Redhills

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Flass Street, Durham

    Join us on 10th September 2026 at Redhills Durham for 21st Century Social Clubs Annual Conference!

    Dates

    From:
    10 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for 21st Century Social Clubs: Annual Conference 2026 - Redhills
  9. An ornate marble statue of a hooded figure connected to a church

    Add Heritage Open Days - Church of Our Lady of Mercy and St. Godric to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - Church of Our Lady of Mercy and St. Godric

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Durham

    Between the train and the bus stations, a landmark in the Durham City Conservation Area, St. Godric's Grade II listed church was designed by Edward Pugin. Opened in 1864 it has beautiful examples of Victorian stained glass and a fine high altar.

    Dates

    From:
    11 Sept 2026to12 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 17:00
    From:
    18 Sept 2026to19 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 17:00
    More info for Heritage Open Days - Church of Our Lady of Mercy and St. Godric
  10. Heritage Open Days Logo

    Heritage Open Days 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture, bringing together over 2,000 local people and organisations, and thousands of volunteers.

    Dates

    From:
    11 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026
    More info for Heritage Open Days 2026
  11. Ornate floral wood carvings in a church.

    Add St Mary the Virgin - Heritage Open Days to your Itinerary

    St Mary the Virgin - Heritage Open Days

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Easington, Peterlee

    A 12th century Parish Church, with evidence of Saxon origins. The building contains Medieval pieces including a beautiful example of a Frosterly Marble tomb effigy. There are beautiful stained glass windows and oak pews dating back to 1660.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 13:00
    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 13:00
    More info for St Mary the Virgin - Heritage Open Days
  12. A red vintage bus parked between two others

    Add Heritage Open Days - Aycliffe Bus Museum to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - Aycliffe Bus Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Aycliffe Business Park, Newton Aycliffe

    Step aboard at Aycliffe Bus Museum for a journey through North East transport history. Explore vintage buses, fascinating memorabilia, enjoy free heritage bus rides, and meet our friendly volunteers. Free admission and fun for all ages!

    Dates

    From:
    12 Sept 2026to13 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Heritage Open Days - Aycliffe Bus Museum
  13. An old fashioned school photograph of children sat in lines in front of a school building

    Add Heritage Open Days - Cotherstone Old Chapel Project to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - Cotherstone Old Chapel Project

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Barnard Castle

    Former Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, also village school until 1965. Now community owned/run shop, café and heritage centre. Special display of material showing the history and refurbishment of the building. Village guided walk leaflet. Refreshments

    Dates

    From:
    12 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Heritage Open Days - Cotherstone Old Chapel Project
  14. Images of two medieval heraldic crests.

    Add St Andrews Church - Heritage Open Days to your Itinerary

    St Andrews Church - Heritage Open Days

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Dalton-le-Dale, Seaham

    St Andrews Church has some unique features dating back to Anglo-Saxon origins. It is situated in an ancient village which has a diverse history starting with a reference by the Venerable Bede.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for St Andrews Church - Heritage Open Days
  15. A large stone train shed surrounded by trees

    Add Heritage Open Days - Life in the World's First Railway Town - Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - Life in the World's First Railway Town - Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Shildon

    The town of Shildon has had an exciting story to tell since the earliest days of the rail industry. Learn more about the working lives of ordinary people of Shildon, and how Locomotion is keeping heritage skills alive today and for the future.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Sept 2026to13 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Heritage Open Days - Life in the World's First Railway Town - Locomotion
  16. The interior of an Anglo Saxon church, with white stone walls and hanging round lights.

    Add Heritage Open Days - Escomb Saxon Church to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - Escomb Saxon Church

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Escomb, Bishop Auckland

    The church was built in the 7th century. Have a free guided tour of this ancient, Anglo-Saxon Church, where you can learn about its history and heritage. Tours will run every half hour.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Sept 2026to13 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Heritage Open Days - Escomb Saxon Church
  17. A museum exhibit with lots of old artefacts with a person tending to them in the right hand corner.

    Add From Dig to Display: Get Behind the Scenes at the Museum of Archaeology - Heritage Open Days to your Itinerary

    From Dig to Display: Get Behind the Scenes at the Museum of Archaeology - Heritage Open Days

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Durham

    Explore the newly reopened upstairs gallery and discover the work that goes on behind the scenes of an archaeology museum. Meet project partners, join a curator tour, and get hands-on to find out how collections are studied, cared for and displayed.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for From Dig to Display: Get Behind the Scenes at the Museum of Archaeology - Heritage Open Days
  18. Exterior view of an ornate church in the sun.

    Add St Ives' Church - Heritage Open Days to your Itinerary

    St Ives' Church - Heritage Open Days

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Leadgate, Consett

    Discover St Ives' Church Leadgate, one of the North East's little-known architectural gems with a fascinating heritage and unique story to tell. Coffee Concert, History Displays, Guided Tours and Talks. Explore Everyday Histories of Leadgate!

    Dates

    From:
    12 Sept 2026to13 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for St Ives' Church - Heritage Open Days
  19. A volunteer demonstrates anatomy with an animal skull. Skulls, Science and Investigation.

    Add Skulls, Science & Investigation - Museum of Archaeology at Palace Green Library to your Itinerary

    Skulls, Science & Investigation - Museum of Archaeology at Palace Green Library

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Palace Green, Durham City

    Are you fascinated by the natural world past and present? Investigate the archaeology and science of animal bones with experts from the Skull Index CIC at FREE family-friendly workshops at the Museum of Archaeology.

    Venue

    Museum of Archaeology at Palace Green Library, Durham City

    Dates

    From:
    12 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Skulls, Science & Investigation - Museum of Archaeology at Palace Green Library
  20. Historical stone building with a grass lawn in front.

    Add The Story - Heritage Open Days to your Itinerary

    The Story - Heritage Open Days

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Durham

    Behind the scenes access, site tours, and collection items to view. 

    Dates

    From:
    13 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 13:45
    More info for The Story - Heritage Open Days
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