Durham Castle Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Durham Castle
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Durham Castle, as seen from across the River Wear.
Location	Durham, England, United Kingdom
Part of	Durham Castle and Cathedral
Criteria	Cultural: (ii), (iv), (vi)
Inscription	1986 (10th Session)
Extensions	2008
Area	8.79 ha (0.0339 sq mi)

Durham Castle is a historic Norman castle in the city of Durham, England. For centuries, it was the home of powerful Bishops. Today, it has a unique new life as part of University College, Durham.

Built on a hill overlooking the River Wear, the castle sits across from the famous Durham Cathedral. Together, they are a World Heritage Site. This means they are recognized as one of the most important cultural places in the world.

While the castle is a working building and home to over 100 students, you can still visit. To see inside, you need to join a guided tour.

History of the Castle
Inside the Castle
- The Chapels
  - The Norman Chapel
  - Tunstall's Chapel
A World Heritage Site
Gallery
See also

History of the Castle

Why was the castle built?

The story of Durham Castle begins in 1072, just six years after the Norman conquest of England. The new king, William the Conqueror, ordered the castle to be built. He wanted a strong fortress in the north of England to control the area and protect against attacks.

The castle was built in a motte-and-bailey style. This design features a mound of earth (the motte) with a tower on top, and a large enclosed area (the bailey) below. The stone for the castle was taken from the cliffs right below it.

The Powerful Prince-Bishops

The castle became the home of the Bishop of Durham. But these were not ordinary bishops. The king gave them special powers, making them "prince-bishops." They could raise their own armies, collect taxes, and even create their own money. Their job was to rule the region for the king and defend England from Scottish invaders.

The first prince-bishop to live in the castle was Bishop Walcher. He and the bishops who followed him made the castle both a palace and a fortress. In 1080, the castle was attacked by local rebels, and Bishop Walcher was killed. This showed just how important the castle's defenses were.

Over the centuries, many bishops made changes to the castle.

In the 1100s, Bishop Hugh de Puiset built the beautiful Norman Archway.
In the 1300s, Bishop Thomas Hatfield rebuilt and strengthened the main tower, known as the keep.
In the early 14th century, Bishop Antony Bek created the castle's huge Great Hall. It is over 14 meters high and 30 meters long.

From a Palace to a University

The castle remained the home of the Bishops of Durham for over 750 years. In 1832, the bishop moved to a different residence, Auckland Castle.

A few years later, in 1837, Bishop William Van Mildert gave the castle to the newly formed University of Durham. It became University College, Durham, the university's first college. It is often just called "Castle." Students have lived and studied within its ancient walls ever since.

During World War II, the castle and cathedral were a target for German bombers. Luckily, on the night of the planned raid, a thick fog covered the area, and the pilots could not find their target.

Inside the Castle

The Chapels

Durham Castle has two main chapels.

The Norman Chapel

This is the oldest part of the castle you can still visit, built around 1078. Its style is Anglian, which is unusual for a Norman building. This might be because the Normans forced local English workers to build it. For a long time, the chapel was forgotten and even used as a hallway. It was rediscovered in 1841 and is now used for weekly services.

Tunstall's Chapel

Named after Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall, this larger chapel was built in the 1500s. It is also used for regular services by the college students and staff.

A World Heritage Site

In 1986, UNESCO named Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral a World Heritage Site. This is because of their amazing architecture and their importance in history.

UNESCO noted that the site shows the power of the Prince-Bishops. It includes not just the castle and cathedral, but also the large green space between them, called Palace Green. This area was once used for grand processions and public events.

Seventeen different parts of the castle are officially protected as historic structures. This includes the keep, the gatehouse, and the castle walls.