The Museum of Archaeology in Durham has been awarded £217,844 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to redevelop its main gallery. The funding, which was officially approved in November 2025, will cover 90% of the project costs to refresh the space and improve public access to the city’s 10,000-year archaeological story.
Located within the Palace Green Library at the heart of the Durham World Heritage Site, the museum has kept its main gallery closed to the public since 2020. The upcoming renovations will introduce new interpretation displays, environmentally controlled cases to protect delicate artefacts, and updated features to make the site more accessible for all visitors.
Founded in 1833, the museum holds a collection of more than 40,000 objects focused on the history of North East England. This redevelopment project follows recent improvements made as part of the momentum of the museum’s 50th anniversary in 2025, which included an extensive programme of works such as repairs to the roof and the installation of energy-efficient lighting.
As part of the project, students from Durham University’s Department of Archaeology will help with the redevelopment process. The students will contribute to the new gallery displays and assist with public consultation and engagement activities as part of their studies.
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