Magna Carta - Secret Spaces - Durham Cathedral

Type:Historical

Durham Cathedral, The College, Durham, County Durham, DH1 3EH

Add Magna Carta - Secret Spaces - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

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Tel+44 0191 374 4069

A woman peering out of one the Cathedral’s secret spaces that are rarely open to the general public.

About

Join us on this exclusive tour of the Cathedral’s secret spaces that are rarely open to the general public.

Your two hour tour begins in the Chapter House where the medieval bishops of Durham were laid to rest.  Your guide will then lead you to be immersed in darkness in our monastic prison cell.

You will then have the chance to view some of the Cathedral’s rarest printed books alongside a facsimile copy of the Magna Carta.  These are kept in the former Refectory of the monastery which was converted into a library over 350 year ago.

After that you will enjoy private access to the Magna Carta and the North exhibition which will display our three editions of Magna Carta including the only 1216 copy still in existence.

The tour will end in the medieval Great Kitchen, now...Read More

About

Join us on this exclusive tour of the Cathedral’s secret spaces that are rarely open to the general public.

Your two hour tour begins in the Chapter House where the medieval bishops of Durham were laid to rest.  Your guide will then lead you to be immersed in darkness in our monastic prison cell.

You will then have the chance to view some of the Cathedral’s rarest printed books alongside a facsimile copy of the Magna Carta.  These are kept in the former Refectory of the monastery which was converted into a library over 350 year ago.

After that you will enjoy private access to the Magna Carta and the North exhibition which will display our three editions of Magna Carta including the only 1216 copy still in existence.

The tour will end in the medieval Great Kitchen, now home to the Treasures of St Cuthbert which include his 7th century wooden coffin, the Pectoral Cross and the original Sanctuary Ring.

Complete your tour with an optional afternoon tea in Prior’s Hall which includes a selection of sandwiches, homemade scones, a variety of miniature cakes, Rainforest Alliance filter coffee and Fairtrade tea (Gluten Free and Vegetarian options are available on request).

Please note that the Refectory Library and Prior’s Hall are only accessible via stairs.

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Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Tour and Afternoon Tea - Adult£42.50 per ticket
Tour Only - Adult£23.50 per ticket

(+ £1.50 fees)

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Opening Times

Season 15 July 2025
DayTimes
Tuesday13:00 - 00:00
Season 22 July 2025
DayTimes
Tuesday13:00 - 00:00
Season 29 July 2025
DayTimes
Tuesday13:00 - 00:00
Season 9 Aug 2025
DayTimes
Saturday13:00 - 00:00
Season 15 Aug 2025
DayTimes
Friday13:00 - 00:00
Season 28 Aug 2025
DayTimes
Thursday13:00 - 00:00
Season 4 Sept 2025
DayTimes
Thursday13:00 - 00:00
Season 11 Sept 2025
DayTimes
Thursday13:00 - 00:00
Season 2 Oct 2025
DayTimes
Thursday13:00 - 00:00
Season 23 Oct 2025
DayTimes
Thursday13:00 - 00:00
Season 28 Oct 2025
DayTimes
Tuesday13:00 - 00:00
Season 1 Nov 2025
DayTimes
Saturday13:00 - 00:00

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