Shaped by the past...

Find out more about the historic context that shaped Durham World Heritage Site as we know it today:

Explore Durham's religious history: St Cuthbert, the saint in whose honour Durham Cathedral was built, the Venerable Bede, a 7th century intellectual; and the Benedictines, who spread Christianity in England, and whose religious order was adopted in Durham in the 11th century and was followed for 450 years.

Discover more about the Normans, who had a major influence on English identity and culture, and who developed Durham as a political stronghold ruled by Prince Bishops.

Learn about Durham institutions and their evolution: the conversion of Durham from a monastic cathedral after Henry VIII's reformation, and the establishment of Durham University in the early 19th century, during a period of great social reform.

Look up and contribute to research about Durham World Heritage Site.