VENUE HIRE & HOSPITALITY WELCOME

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Today at Durham we continue an ancient tradition We host an incredible range of events at the cathedral, of worship, welcome and hospitality that dates from monastic from concerts, product launches and corporate receptions to times. That same spirit of openness pervades our modern celebratory events, and are always excited to see new proposals venue hire and hospitality services, where we seek to serve for how to make the most of our magnificent cathedral. These our region with high standards and exceptional spaces. pages contain hints of what is possible for events and hospitality at Durham Cathedral, intended to inspire you. I welcome you Durham Cathedral’s unrivalled is famous to bring your ideas to our events team, who will be happy ‘Staff on the night were worldwide, and as a beloved symbol of the North East to discuss your plans. professional throughout of our roots stretch deep into the history and and very attentive, the culture of our region. The cathedral and its surrounding cathedral guides really spaces are beautiful and inspiring backdrops for a engaged with our guests.’ diverse range of occasions.

‘All the arrangements worked smoothly – which is in no small part due to you coordinating it all. Please pass on our thanks to everyone on the Events team including the cathedral guides and also the caterers.’ THE CATHEDRAL

When booked for an evening concert, the venue hire the daily rhythm of worship and visitor activities. A place of gathering, celebration fee includes the use of a green room and one rehearsal If large- scale daytime hire requires the cathedral to on the afternoon of the concert date. Additional rehearsals close to visitors, there will be extra charges to cover and community for nearly 1000 years are available for a fee. a loss of visitor income.

Work began to build the cathedral in 1093, and the THE POSSIBILITIES Additional facilities such as staging, use of our PA system Free public wifi and disabled access carved columns and great stone roof we see today retain The cathedral is an impressively flexible space, regularly and interval hospitality are available to enhance your event. is available in the cathedral. We can advise on suppliers for technical arrangements such their original Norman magnificence. At the far east of hosting art and cultural events such as classical and popular The crossing is approximately 160m2. as lighting, videography and more complex audio requirements. the cathedral the beautiful looks down music concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions and talks. The nave is approximately 275m2. onto the serene Shrine of St , the region’s Excellent acoustics and a unique atmosphere attract both The capacity of the cathedral varies between 500 and 1300 The font seating area is approximately 100m2. most famous for whose remains the cathedral well-known and amateur community performers alike. depending on layouts; please see the insert at the back of this The transepts are approximately 155m2 each. was originally built. 2 TECHNICAL INFORMATION brochure for the most up to date information. The Galilee Chapel is approximately 300m . The focal point for a seated audience is the crossing, The performance space for large concerts and events is The cathedral is available for daytime and evening hire, directly beneath the central tower and framed dramatically usually the crossing, beneath the central tower. However subject to availability and other activities within the cathedral. by an arched screen containing fossil-encrusted Frosterley this is flexible, with promenade performance also a possibility. marble. Beyond this, choir stalls stretch towards the Audience seating is in the nave, with additional seating in the Please note we are a working church and tourist attraction, ornate screen of the high altar. north and south transepts, and the north and south nave aisles. and our events team aim to facilitate venue hire alongside

Main Entrance North Transept

North Aisle of Nave

Chapel of Galilee Chapel Font Nave Crossing Quire the Nine Altars Organ

South Aisle of Nave

South Transept Entrance to Entrance to Cloister THE HOUSE THE CLOISTER

Durham Cathedral’s best-kept secret, An outdoor space at the heart of available for daytime and evening hire the cathedral’s monastic buildings

Most famous as Professor McGonagall’s classroom in the THE POSSIBILITIES The Cloister was a communal place both of study and Make use of the Undercroft Restaurant’s catering first two Harry Potter films, the is a small The Chapter House is an atmospheric performance relaxation for monks of . It retains that air facilities to enhance any reception with a selection but architecturally stunning space. Before the dissolution space for intimate concerts and theatre performances, of serenity today, and looks out onto the cathedral’s grand of canapes and drinks. of Durham Priory in the 1530s, the daily business of the and is also well-suited to receptions and catered events. architecture and well-preserved medieval buildings such as The cloister is covered, and useable in wet weather. monastery was conducted in this room, which gets its the Monks’ Dormitory and Library. The Cloister’s The Chapter House can be hired together with the During the colder months or during dark evenings we name from the practice of reading a chapter from the Rule four sides are covered by a wooden roof, with exits to the Cloister as a perfect space for corporate entertainment. recommend the Undercroft Foyer or the Chapter House of St Benedict each day. Today the Chapter House is used cathedral, the Chapter House, Open Treasure and the Enjoy an after-hours summer reception in the Cloister, as ideal indoor alternatives. Our model of Durham daily in preparations for services, and is not generally Undercroft Restaurant and foyer. Look out for the charming with the Chapter House as a versatile space for product Cathedral in LEGO, located in the Undercroft Foyer, open to the public. historic roof bosses and a memorial stone with a very early launches and presentations. makes a great conversation starter! precursor to America’s stars and stripes in the coat of TECHNICAL INFORMATION arms of the Washington family. Toilets are conveniently close by, and there is The Chapter House is approximately 240m2. near-by disabled parking with step free access THE POSSIBILITIES Free public wifi and disabled access is available. to the Cloister and cathedral. The Cloister is a popular space for receptions, either for organisations or private celebratory events. The Cloister and TECHNICAL INFORMATION grassed Cloister Garth work well as standalone spaces for evening The cloister walkways are approximately 700m2 entertainment, but shine best when combined with other spaces. in total. Free public wifi and disabled access is available. For instance the cloister has previously been used as a networking space before or after a corporate event, or in combination with private after-hours tours of the cathedral, or private views of the cathedral’s award-winning museum Open Treasure.

Image: Chamber of Commerce PRIOR'S HALL THE UNDERCROFT RESTAURANT

A versatile space, Dine in the atmospheric secluded from public view medieval undercroft

Prior’s Hall was once the dining hall for the monastery’s The anteroom of Prior’s Hall makes a great breakout Enjoy evening fine dining in the Undercroft Restaurant, BAXTERSTOREY Prior. Today it is one of our busiest spaces for venue hire, space from activities in Prior’s Hall, with dramatic or take the opportunity to combine the restaurant with OUR CATERING PARTNER located just outside the Cloister in the Deanery. dark wood panelling. The Dean’s private drawing the adjacent foyer or Cloister for an unforgettable Durham Cathedral’s catering is provided by BaxterStorey, room, the Solarium, is also available for hire as reception or buffet. a national organisation who provide high-quality catering THE POSSIBILITIES a breakout space for larger groups. options for any event. Often used for talks, small conferences, performing arts events and corporate meetings, the layout of the TECHNICAL INFORMATION A wide range of catering options are available depending on room can be easily adapted for a diverse range of uses. A projector, screen and laptop is available to hire in the space chosen, ranging from cold buffet lunches, canapes Prior’s Hall. Free, public wifi is available. Toilets are and drinks to seated fine dining in the Undercroft Restaurant. included in this space. There is no step-free access to A range of sample menus are available at Prior’s Hall; a chairlift operates up a longer flight www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/venue-hire of stairs, and there are a few steps into the hall itself. CELEBRATORY EVENTS ‘The food was fantastic, beautifully displayed and the set up worked Choose a package featuring some really well.’ of the cathedral's most elegant spaces

A combination of Prior's Hall, the Solarium and private use PARTNERS AND PATRONS of the Deanery garden is available for hire for unique events to Become a Corporate Partner or Patron to enhance your celebrate a special occasion, milestone or to entertain corporate connection with one of the UK’s most beloved buildings. clients. Get in touch to discuss your bespoke celebration. Help support our mission to sustainably care for our unique heritage, and receive exciting benefits in return. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact our Development team at [email protected] ELEVATE YOUR EVENT Transform your guests’ experience of Durham Cathedral with private tours, entry to our Open Treasure museum, or even exclusive after-hours access to the cathedral.

Image: Nick Martin

‘Thank you all for the excellent service… we have received numerous messages from our guests on how thoroughly they enjoyed the experience and the hospitality.’ Cover Image: Music Durham Back Page: Joe Cornish

durhamcathedral.co.uk [email protected] 0191 374 4053