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Durham Castle is one of the most important historic buildings in Durham and forms, together with Durham Cathedral, the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site. The present castle originated after the Norman Conquest, with construction beginning in 1072. The building subsequently developed over centuries, including the addition of the Great Hall in 1284. In 1836 the Castle was transferred to the newly established University of Durham and became University College in 1837. Today, Durham Castle is unusual because it combines several functions. It remains a historic monument and visitor attraction, but it is also a fully functioning university college, with students living and studying within the building. Consequently, event availability depends heavily on the university calendar. The Castle is used for formal dinners, conferences, alumni events, receptions, academic functions and private dining. The Great Hall is its most important large event room and is particularly well suited to formal dinners. University records confirm a maximum of 192 people for a Christmas Day lunch in the Great Hall, while other Castle events have used the Great Hall together with the Tunstall Gallery. Other spaces associated with events include the Tunstall Gallery, Senate Room and Undercroft Bar. The Castle also has accommodation, with University material describing 50 en-suite bedrooms plus additional accommodation during the summer vacation.
The Great Hall is Durham Castle's principal large historic dining and event space. Dating to the medieval development of the Castle, it is particularly suited to formal dinners, banquets, receptions, conferences and university ceremonies. Its scale and historic character make it the Castle's strongest option for larger formal events.
The Senate Room is a smaller formal room within Durham Castle that has been used for private dinners and university functions. A Durham University alumni event records the Senate Room as the location of an earlier judicial-office-holders' dinner.
The Tunstall Gallery is a historic first-floor gallery within Durham Castle, completed in the 16th century. It has historically functioned as a gathering and social space and is still used in conjunction with Castle events. Recent University events have used the gallery alongside the Great Hall for dinners and receptions.
The Undercroft Bar is a historic lower-level space within Durham Castle and provides a useful reception and hospitality area for Castle events. Current University event listings show it being used for pre-dinner drinks before formal dinners in the Great Hall.
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