Durham Castle

Few buildings in England can boast a longer history of continuous occupation than Durham Castle. Founded soon after the Norman Conquest, the Castle has been rebuilt, extended and adapted to changing circumstances and uses over a period of 900 years: from being a key fortress in the defence of the border with Scotland, it was gradually transformed in more peaceful times into an imposing and comfortable palace for the Bishops of Durham; and since 1837, soon after the foundation of the University of Durham, it has served as a residential college for many generations of students and dons.

As they stand today, the buildings reflect these changing functions and display a wide variety of architectural styles of different periods. Few decades can have passed without some alterations or additions to the structure and fabric. Often, these alterations reflected new standards and fashions in military and, increasingly, domestic building and furnishing.