Durham Castle Brochure

Conference, banquet and event facilities at Durham Castle

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historic exquisite dramatic unique

event durham

Dramatic Durham Castle

Make your event unique Occupying Durham Castle, home of the Prince Bishops for 800 years, University College is a truly inspirational and unforgettable setting for any event, from weddings and banquets to business conferences and seminars. Few venues in the world can offer the uniquely historic and prestigious atmosphere of Durham Castle.

Set in the heart of Durham City overlooking the River Wear, the Castle was handed over to the newly-founded University in 1832 and thereafter became the home of University College. It has the accolade of being part of a World Heritage Site along with the City’s historic Cathedral.

This magnificent structure lies directly opposite the Castle and is widely regarded as having some of the finest Norman architecture in the world.

It is often said that there is no finer venue in the North East as a setting for weddings, banquets, dinner dances and other prestigious occasions. The unique settings within the Castle include the State Rooms, made up of the Bishop’s Suite, which comprises of a sitting room with views over the Wear and a bedroom with a four-poster bed dating from 1760; and the Senate Room, with its magnificent 17th-century Flemish tapestries. The historic grandeur continues in the Great Hall of the Castle; built in 1284, this is the main dining area and is one of the largest and most impressive of its kind in the country.

Magnificent examples of Norman architecture abound within this unrivalled setting. Highlights include the great Norman Arch, a doorway on the Tunstal Gallery that is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Romanesque stone carving in England, and the Norman Chapel, which dates from the 1070s, making it one of the oldest buildings in the entire city.

“We couldn’t have asked for a more spectacular setting.

It made the wedding a really special day.”

A flexible and adaptable approach for all occasions

A dedicated service, tailored to your needs

The staff at the Castle have a wealth of experience in catering for the most prestigious events, ensuring that the quality of service will match the unrivalled setting.

Durham Castle has a dedicated team that will closely consult with you to ensure that the venue is tailored to meet your particular requirements. As well as the accommodation and facilities, we can also incorporate other venues in and around Durham University. That means you can enjoy the choice of colleges in Durham as well as the state-of-the-art facilities at the modern purpose-built campus in Stockton-on-Tees. So, whatever type of event you are holding, you will find the range of options and choices available perfect for any occasion.

Many of the historical settings within the Castle are available for a wide variety of events, from business meetings and seminars to weddings and informal banquets.

The Great Hall will comfortably accommodate 80 to 200 guests. For a more intimate atmosphere, the Senate Suite, entered through the magnificent Norman Arch, is ideal for a dinner for 20 to 50 guests or up to 60 for a buffet. The 16th century Tunstal Gallery, named after Bishop Tunstal (friend of Erasmus and diplomat to Henry VIII), is a stunning location for a drinks reception.

The historic atmosphere of the Castle is ideally suited to weddings and can be tailored to suit any particular requirements, ensuring that your special day is a truly memorable and unique occasion. The Castle courtyard, against the backdrop of the Castle and Cathedral, is an ideal place to have a drinks reception.

“The opportunity to stay in such a famous and magnificent building couldn’t be missed.”

Facilities, capacity and amenities at Durham Castle Suites Single en-suite Single standard

2 12 18

Twin en-suite Twin standard

17 3

Double en-suite Double standard

11 5

Meeting rooms

2

Maximum seating Theatre style

50

Boardroom

24

Banquet

200

Buffet / Reception

240

Cabaret

45

U-shape

24

How to find Durham Castle

event durham

0800 28 99 70 or visit: www.durham.ac.uk/event.durham

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