Customer rating:
Average: 4.4 (7 ratings)
View comments

Durham Castle

In the heart of the City, Durham Castle forms part of Durham's UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Summary

• 13th century buildings (or older)
• 14th century buildings
• 15th century buildings
• 16th century buildings
• Breakfast included
• No car parking
• No smoking
• Minimum age 17

Facilities

• No internet access
• Central heating

Food and Drinks

• English breakfast (included)
• Bar

Nearby recreations

• Pub (walking distance)
• Museums (walking distance)
• Historic houses
• Recommended restaurants (walking distance)
• Theatre (walking distance)

In the heart of the City, Durham Castle forms part of Durham's UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Grade 1 listed building shares Palace Green with Durham's iconic Norman Cathedral and is a few hundred yards from all the facilities and amenities that the City has to offer.

A wide variety of comfortable bedrooms is available, ranging from standard rooms with shared facilities to magnificent state rooms.  Many rooms have been extensively refurbished during 2011.

Accommodation is available during University vacations; January, Easter and throughout July, August and September.

History to the present day

The present Castle began in 1072 as a simple defensive mound commissioned by William the Conqueror to defend the peninsula formed by the meander in the River Wear. Over the centuries, the Castle has been a residence of the Bishops of Durham who added to the buildings and altered them to suit the needs of the time.

The University of Durham was founded in 1832 by Bishop Van Mildert and the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral. After Van Mildert's death in 1836 the Castle was handed over to the University and became University College in 1837, the oldest of the Durham Colleges. Early generations of students lived either in University House, now Cosin's Hall, or in the Castle Keep which was reconstructed in 1840.

The College is an academic community within Durham University of around 600 undergraduates and 50 postgraduates, and members of University staff attached to the College through the Senior Common Room. All members, both academic staff and students, share a common aim: the pursuit of knowledge. There are many other aspects of College life: cultural, sporting and social, but the main purpose of the College is academic.

Food and Drinks

Our rates include a full English breakfast served between 8 and 9am in the medieval Great Hall

The College Undercroft bar is generally open most evenings from 6 to 11pm. Check at Reception for opening times.

Grounds and gardens

The Castle, part of Durham's World Heritage Castle, is located on Palace Green across from the City's iconic Norman Cathedral. Either relax walking around the historic city or take a stroll along the nearby banks of the River Wear.

Durham Cathedral is located next to Durham Castle and as a result guests should be aware the Cathedral bells ring prior to services on a Sunday and between 18.30 and 20.30 each Thursday evening.
 

Other facilities

Rooms include tea & coffee making facilities.   As part of your stay you are welcome to join one of our public guided tours on a complimentary basis. During University vacations tours are normally available every morning of the week at 10:00, 11.00 and 12:00, and in the afternoons when there are no commercial activities (e.g. weddings), from 14:00 to 17:00.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: University College, Durham Castle, Palace Green, Durham, DH1 3RW, United Kingdom

Address: University College, Durham Castle, Palace Green, Durham, DH1 3RW.

Check In: From 2pm. Check Out: By 10am Luggage can be stored if required.

On arrival please report to the Reception, which is open 24 hours per day. 

Parking is severely restricted on the World Heritage Site, however, subject to availability. bed and breakfast guests can arrange overnight parking on Palace Green. The Lodge/Reception will provide a parking permit at check-in; however, vehicles must be moved off Palace Green by 09:00 each day.

Parking in the Courtyard is very restricted and a permit is required to park there. Bed and breakfast guests are welcome to drive in to drop off luggage and guests and then move their vehicle to one of the local parking areas at Prince Bishop’s Shopping Centre, or the Sands. During wedding receptions, it may not be possible for cars to enter the Courtyard and we ask for your patience during these special occasions.

Visitors and guests with mobility problems are advised to contact us well in advance so that we can provide the best advice and assistance and where possible reserve a parking space.

The entrance to the Castle (the Barbican) is a single track cobbled road with a restricted entrance through the Gatehouse to the Courtyard. The Barbican is approximately 4.2 metres wide and the Gatehouse 2.5 metres wide by 2.6 metres high.

More photos of Durham Castle

The Keep	Entrance to the Great Hall	Tunstall Gallery	Undercroft Bar
Entrance to the Castle - The Barbican	View from a room in the Hall Stairs

Customer feedback

We guarantee that all our feedback is genuine and can only be submitted by people who have booked through our websites.

Check availability now