The People’s Story at Durham Castle
With Durham Castle and Cathedral World Heritage Site
AND
County Durham Forum for History and Heritage
Saturday 18 April 2026
Programme
9.30am-4.30pm Durham Cathedral open as usual (donations invited)
10.00am-4.00pm Cathedral Museum (last entry 3.30pm)
Exhibitions and 30-minute talks at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on
“A Treasure and a Legacy: Conservation at Durham, Cathedral”
Adults £7.50, U128’s free
10.00am Meet outside Palace Green Library for a free walk and talk led by
David Butler to explore St Margaret’s Allotments, constructed on the
Medieval Cathedral quarry
11.00am—4.00pm Palace Green Library will be open free of charge including the
Museum of Archaeology and World Heritage Site Visitor Centre
(accessible with films)
11.00am-4.00pm Free entry to Durham Castle (last entry 3.15pm) with self-guided tours
of the courtyard, Norman Chapel, Tunstall Chapel, Tunstall Gallery and
The Great Hall
Heritage Fair and Family Activities in the Great Hall showcasing local
History and heritage groups, visitor attractions and the
World Heritage Site Youth Ambassadors
Presentations in the Bishop’s Dining Room
NO NEED TO BOOK
10.00am—10.45am County Durham Forum AGM (members only)
10.45am-11.00am Welcome to exhibitors by Anne Allen
11.00am-11.30am Keynote World Heritage Site Hon Professor Colleen Batey
“Beyond the classroom: from talks to walks, personalising the
archaeological experience for engagement with communities”
11.30am-12 noon “Diaries of David McLaren of Thorpe Thewles” by Sarah Hillier
12.00-12.30pm World Heritage Site Youth Ambassadors
12.30pm-1.00pm Volunteering at Durham Museum by Adrian Green
1.00pm-1.30pm Volunteering opportunities at Newcastle Castle
by Karan Coates Nieto
1.30pm-2.00pm Durham Cathedral Friends and Volunteering with Belinda Fullelove
2.00pm-2.30pm “World Heritage—Life Begins at 40” by Anne Allen
2.30pm-3.00pm “The Romantic Landscape Setting of Durham’s World Heritage Site”
By Martin Lowe, Historic England
3.00pm-3.30pm “The Carlton Thorpe Cross” presented by Bernard Taylor
3.30pm-4.00pm “The Story at Mount Oswald” concluding presentation by Carolyn Ball