Durham University Things To Do

Durham University Things To Do Durham University’s museums, galleries and gardens offer opportunities for fun and learning for all. Not monitored 24/7.

Come and visit our Botanic Garden, Oriental Museum, Museum of Archaeology and Cosin’s Library, and join one of our tours of Durham Castle, located at the heart of Durham's World Heritage Site. Botanic Garden: Durham University's 10-hectare Botanic Garden is set amongst beautiful mature woodlands on the southern outskirts of Durham city and offers a wide variety of landscapes to explore and discove

r. Durham Castle Tours: Sitting at the heart of Durham's World Heritage Site and occupied continuously since the 11th century, the Castle is now home to the students of University College, part of Durham University. Visitors are welcome to join our guided tours and special events. Oriental Museum: From Ancient Egypt to modern China, the Oriental Museum is devoted entirely to the art and archaeology of the great cultures of Northern Africa and Asia. Museum of Archaeology: The Museum of Archaeology's collections range from the prehistory to modern times. Our gallery charting the story of Durham is housed within Palace Green Library. Cosin’s Library: One of the earliest public libraries in the Northeast of England, the library was founded in 1669 by Bishop John Cosin. Now open to the public after being closed for several years for essential conservation work, the library is now more accessible and enjoyable than ever before.

Join us at the Oriental Museum this Saturday for our next family activities session, Ride the Wave! Spot the boats in th...
02/06/2026

Join us at the Oriental Museum this Saturday for our next family activities session, Ride the Wave! Spot the boats in the museum and make a 3D sculpture of your own to take home.

📅 Saturday 6th June
⏰ 1:00 - 3:00 PM
🗺 Oriental Museum

Activities are generally suitable for families with children aged 5 - 11 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult. All activities are drop, no need to book, unless otherwise stated.

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Please note, due to a private event taking place in the Botanic Garden on Thursday 4 June, we will have the following op...
01/06/2026

Please note, due to a private event taking place in the Botanic Garden on Thursday 4 June, we will have the following operational changes on the following dates:

👉Tuesday 2 June
Gardens – Closed
Café – Open using inside seating space only

👉Wednesday 3 June
Gardens - Open
Café – Open

👉Thursday 4 June
Gardens – Closed
Café – Closed

👉Friday 5 June
Gardens – Closed
Café – Open using inside seating space only

Normal operating hours will resume on Saturday 6 June.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause to our visitors.

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After a delay, Cosin's Library is now re-open once more to the public!📅 Wednesday - Saturday each week (and bank holiday...
30/05/2026

After a delay, Cosin's Library is now re-open once more to the public!

📅 Wednesday - Saturday each week (and bank holidays!)
⏰ 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
💷 Free entry, but limited number of visitors allowed

Founded in 1669 and built upon the private collection of Bishop John Cosin of Durham, the library covers a number of subjects including theology, law, history and science, including a number of volumes acquired during Cosin's exile to France during the English Civil War/Commonwealth period.

We look forward to welcoming you back.

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Visit the Museum of Archaeology's new permanent exhibition opening on the 19th of June! Curated by students at Durham Un...
29/05/2026

Visit the Museum of Archaeology's new permanent exhibition opening on the 19th of June!

Curated by students at Durham University, the exhibition explores the story of Durham from the Anglo-Saxon period to the present day through archaeology.

The Community Wall also highlights the people of Durham today, alongside a behind-the-scenes look at how the exhibition came together.

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Half-term family activities continue at the Oriental Museum this Friday and Saturday: come up on Friday to become inspir...
28/05/2026

Half-term family activities continue at the Oriental Museum this Friday and Saturday: come up on Friday to become inspired by the museum's sculptures and make a colourful skewer to take home, or come along on Saturday to make your own paper tea bowl.

📅 Friday 29th and Saturday 30 May
⏰ 1:00 - 3:00 PM
🗺 Oriental Museum

Activities are generally suitable for families with children aged 5 - 11 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult. All activities are drop, no need to book.

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Join us at the Museum of Archaeology this afternoon for a chance to make your own Coat of Arms to take home!⏰ 1:00 - 3:0...
28/05/2026

Join us at the Museum of Archaeology this afternoon for a chance to make your own Coat of Arms to take home!

⏰ 1:00 - 3:00 PM
🗺 Learning Centre, Palace Green Library

Draw and paint symbols that represent you onto a shield and submit your art for display in the new gallery space during this free, drop-in session. All are welcome to participate. Family friendly. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Free, no need to book.

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Today's the day! Join us at the Botanic Garden annual Fun Day 11am till 4pm!To celebrate the start of summer we have a f...
25/05/2026

Today's the day!

Join us at the Botanic Garden annual Fun Day 11am till 4pm!

To celebrate the start of summer we have a full day of family-friendly free activities for all ages including:

🎨 Face-painting
💐Flower Arranging
🖍️Craft activities
🪵Samurai sword demonstrations
🐍Meet our Crazy Creatures
🎺 Live music from Pittington Brass Band.
🪴Friends of the Garden annual plant sale

We hope to see you there!

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Looking for something to do this Bank Holiday Monday? Join us at the Botanic Garden annual Fun Day on Monday 25 May, 11a...
23/05/2026

Looking for something to do this Bank Holiday Monday?

Join us at the Botanic Garden annual Fun Day on Monday 25 May, 11am till 4pm!

To celebrate the start of summer we have a full day of family-friendly free activities for all ages. From face-painting to flower arranging, crafts and Samurai sword demonstrations. Discover our Crazy Creatures, all accompanied by live music from Pittington Brass Band. Plus - Our Friends of the Garden will be holding their annual plant sale!

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Looking for something relaxing to do this weekend? Join us to celebrate Buddha's Birthday at the Oriental Museum on Sund...
22/05/2026

Looking for something relaxing to do this weekend? Join us to celebrate Buddha's Birthday at the Oriental Museum on Sunday 24 May, 12-3pm.

There's lots going on - from yoga to paper collaging and lots more. And you can buy a delicious ice cream too!

All Buddha's Birthday activities are free of charge - no need to book, just drop in!

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[Image text Caption:
Buddha's Birthday What's On
Metta Sutta Chant and Procession in Silk Road Gallery Level 4 at 12:15pm. Hear the first part of Buddha's words on loving kindness.
Expert talk in Spalding room at 12:30pm. Join Robert Black Durham University Buddhist Chaplain to learn about the life and teachings of the Buddha.
Storytelling in Silk Roads Gallery Level 4 at 12:45pm and 1:45pm. Listen to an interactive story about the Life of Buddha.
Beginner's Yoga Session in Japan Gallery Level 3 at 1pm. Enjoy a relaxing introduction to yoga.
Guided Meditation in Elvet Hill House Room 009 at 1:45 to 2pm and 2:30 to 3pm. An introduction to meditation with Heather Monro Durham University Chaplain. The second session will explore how Buddhists use meditation as a path to mindfulness. Suitable for 12 years and older.
Buddha Bathing in Silk Road Gallery Level 4 between 12 to 3pm. Pour water over baby Buddha to symbolise the cleaning of body, thought and speech.
Paper collage workshop in Classroom between 12 and 3pm. Join artist Lauri Bower and create a Buddhist inspired collage through cutting, tearing and arranging found materials.
Pick up a gallery trail at reception between 12 and 3pm. Follow the clues and learn all about this special time of year.
Make a Mandala in Egypt Gallery Level 4 between 12 and 3pm. Try this slow and easy art activity and learn about the Buddhist Eight-fold path.
Dharma Combat Game in south Asia Gallery Level 2 between 1:30 and 3pm. Play this fun quiz game and learn about Buddha's life and teachings.
Durham Gamelan in Japan Gallery at 2:30pm. Meet members of the Durham Gamelan group and discover this calm, rhythmic music from Java. ]

Come along to enjoy the Botanic Garden annual Fun Day this Bank Holiday Monday 25 May, 11am till 4pm!There will be a hos...
19/05/2026

Come along to enjoy the Botanic Garden annual Fun Day this Bank Holiday Monday 25 May, 11am till 4pm!

There will be a host of FREE, family-friendly activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy. From face-painting to flower arranging, to crafts and Samurai sword demonstrations. You can also discover our Crazy Creatures, all accompanied by live music from Pittington Brass Band. Plus - Our Friends of the Garden will be holding their annual plant sale!

This is Durham Durham University

Address

Durham

Telephone

+441913345691

Website

https://cosinslibrary.webspace.durham.ac.uk/, https://www.dur.ac.uk/oriental.muse

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