Durham Castle’s Norman Chapel has reopened to the public for the summer - following the first stages of a major restoration effort.
Visitors will get the chance to see how the extensive restoration project is progressing for the first time since last November.
Contractors have been on-site at the oldest standing building in Durham City since the winter of 2022, working to restore the stonework of the historic chapel - during which, they have uncovered walls of the chapel that have been buried for centuries.
The 951-year-old Norman Chapel is a Grade I-listed building, central to the Durham Castle and Cathedral UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of Durham University’s University College.
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The University is currently investigating to understand why the condition of the building has deteriorated and wants to arrest the decay while restoring the Chapel’s stonework.
The current phase of work includes excavating a ventilation trench outside the Chapel and conserving stonework, including unique 11th-century sculptures.
In January, ground boring activity to construct piles for the trench retaining wall was completed.
Work could begin on digging a five-metre-deep trench around the Chapel’s outside wall. This excavation work has already revealed the original exterior wall of the Chapel, which had been buried for centuries.
Now, Durham University’s Archaeological Services team is undertaking work to investigate the history and purpose of the newly revealed wall and briefing Durham County Council Conservation Planners and Historic England on the discovery.
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Specialist stone conservators from Hirst Conservation have been busy inside the Chapel, carrying out essential work to allow the stone to dry out safely.
This involves carefully removing old mortar used to repair the external walls over the centuries.
The first drying-out phase is expected to take around five years.
Once the walls are completely dry, the damage will be assessed, and the next phase of the restoration work will begin on the long-term conservation of the Chapel.
Professor Wendy Powers, Principal of University College, Durham University, which is based in Durham Castle said: “It is an honour and privilege to be involved with this important project to conserve the Norman Chapel here at Durham Castle.
“The project team is working well together and I’m impressed by not only the various partners’ skills, but also their passion for this particular heritage site.”
All work on the Norman Chapel and around the Castle is progressing under a strict archaeological watching brief to identify and assess any archaeological finds.
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Work on the stone was paused during the University’s exam period from early May to mid-June, so students living and studying in the Castle were not disturbed.
The Chapel has now re-opened for the summer as part of the Castle Guided Tour, until the next phase of work begins.
Visitors will be able to see the work to date and learn more about the future plans for the building.
The first phase of the project will cost £2.6 million, with £80k provided by the Wolfson Foundation towards the cost of restoration and interpretation of the Norman Chapel.
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