Heritage Open Day Event - Durham Castle Free Guided 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.

The history of Durham Castle spans nearly 1000 years of history. It is the embodiment of our shared British story, with each twist and turn of our national fortunes etched into the fabric of its mighty walls.

Building began, under the orders of William the Conqueror in 1072, by Waltheof, Earl of Northumbria prior to being handed over to Walcher, Bishop of Durham. Durham Castle remained in the hands of successive Bishops for almost 750 years. During that time, the Castle has been the backdrop to rebellions, civil wars, political upheaval, plagues, famines, and religious reforms, and yet the Castle itself has never been taken by force.

As representatives of the King’s authority in the North, Durham’s Prince Bishops were granted various secular powers, such as the right to hold their own courts of law, raise their own armies and to mint their own coinage. Their privileged position and the wealth derived from their estates allowed them to develop and maintain Durham Castle on a grand scale.

As well as being a military stronghold, and centre of civic authority, the Castle was the ceremonial palace of the Bishops of Durham. Some of these Bishops embarked upon major projects to extend, alter and remodelled the buildings.