Museum of Archaeology • Durham University
About This Museum
People come to this little gem of a museum not just to escape the Durham rain, but to get hands-on with history in a way that feels surprisingly personal. You can wander from a prehistoric handaxe, feeling its weight and imagining the person who held it, to intricate Roman jewelry and then straight into the world of Anglo-Saxon warriors. It's all tucked right next to the cathedral on Palace Green, making it a perfect cultural pit-stop. The whole place has this wonderful academic charm, like you've been given a special key to the university's own curiosity cabinet.
Collection Highlights
Look for the locally found prehistoric tools—they're incredibly old yet so tangible. The Roman and medieval galleries shine with delicate glassware, coins, and weaponry that tell rich stories of daily life and power.
Visitor Information
It's completely free to pop in, which is fantastic, and they have really friendly staff who are clearly passionate about the collections. Just check their website for opening times as they can vary around university terms.
Architecture & Building
Housed within the historic Palace Green Library, the building itself is a beautiful part of Durham's World Heritage Site landscape, with classic university vibes and lovely old woodwork inside.
Contact & Location
Address: Palace Green Library, Windy Gap, Crossgate, City of Durham, Durham, County Durham, North East, England, DH1 3RN, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 191 334 2932
Website: Visit Website
