County Durham

DURHAM HERITAGE CENTRE

North Bailey, Durham City
Tel: 0191 384 5589 (Summer) or 0191 386 8719 (Winter)

Please contact for opening times. Museum of local history telling the story of Durham from the 10th Century to the present day; displays, models, videos, brass rubbing and hands-on activities. Ever-changing exhibition throughout the year. Well stocked shop selling souvenirs, books, gifts and toys. Housed in a medieval church which was partly rebuilt in the 17th century. Educational and group bookings taken by prior appointment at other times. Full wheelchair access on ground floor with bathroom facilities, regret cannot gain access to upper floor.

THE TREASURY MUSEUM

Durham Cathedral, Durham City
Tel: 0191 386 4266
E-mail: enquiries@durhamcathedral.co.uk

Display of valuable and beautiful objects representing 900 years of cathedral history. Includes the relics of St. Cuthbert, fine altar plate, richly illustrated manuscripts, bishop's rings and seals and embroidered copes. As an active place of worship, which also attracts many other events, the Cathedral is not always fully accessible to visitors. Please enquire if you wish to visit on a particular day, especially when travelling far. The Cathedral is open for worship and private prayer between 7.30am and 9.30am (Monday to Saturday), and 7.45am and 12.30pm (Sunday). The Cathedral closes at 6.15pm (Monday to Saturday) and 5pm (Sunday). From the beginning of April to the end of September, the Cathedral is open until 6pm on Sundays.

Beamish - The North of England Open Air Museum

Beamish, Co. Durham, DH9 0RG
Tel: 01207 231811    Fax: 01207 290933

Beamish is one of the leading tourist attractions in the north of England. It vividly recreates life in the North of England as it was in the 1800s and 1900s. Costumed staff welcome visitors to the turn of the century town with shops, houses, working pub, newspaper office, garage, sweetshop and sweet factory. Guided tours are given underground at a real "drift" mine in the Colliery Village and a row of pit cottages shows how the pitmen and their families lived. There is a Methodist Chapel and Village School here too. Home Farm has traditional breeds of livestock and poultry and a large farmhouse kitchen, with dairy and bailiff's office. The Railway Station is complete with goods yard, signal box, locomotives and rolling stock. Pockerley Manor and Horse Yard is based on a medieval fortified manor house and illustrates the life of a yeoman farming family almost 200 years ago. Allow 4 hours for a visit in summer, 2 hours in winter.

Durham University of Archaeology

The Old Fulling Mill, River Wear near the Cathedral, Durham City
Tel: 0191 334 1121

Archaeological museum illustrating the history of Durham City.

Durham University Oriental Museum

Elvet Hill Road, Durham City
Tel: 0191 334 5694

The only museum in the country devoted to oriental art and antiquities. Covers all major cultures and periods of the East from Ancient Egypt through India, Tibet and China to Japan.

The Josephine and John Bowes Museum

Barnard Castle
Tel: 01833 690606

A French-style chateau housing one of Britain's finest museums. Its collections are designated as 'pre-eminent', giving national recognition to their outstanding quality. They include the largest collection of French paintings in the country and one of the largest collections of Spanish paintings in the country, furniture, ceramics, textiles and local antiquities. Attractive gardens with parterre. Cafe in summer.