The Architectural and Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland is announcing a £98,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to further connect communities in County Durham with their castles. The community project ‘Stormin’ Durham’s Castles’ will be part of the 2027 European ‘Year of the Normans’ which launched in France in July 2026 and was heralded earlier with the opening of the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum.
This local project is being delivered in partnership with community arts organisation Creativity Works as well as Durham University, Raby Estates, The Auckland Project and Visit County Durham. It aims to:
- Highlight Norman heritage and pass on the story of the Normans in the North
- Encourage Durham residents to explore their castles first hand
- Enthuse and inspire a new generation to become volunteers and stewards through interpretation on buses and active participation in heritage activities
- Create an outreach handling collection of Norman Romanesque stone carvings to promote 1,000 years of Durham stonemasons and this vital heritage skill
- Share new research through a Colloquium that brings together academic and professional researchers with local history and heritage societies
The grant from the Heritage Fund will bring to life Durham’s Norman story for residents in a contemporary way with a programme of talks and tours, Norman cookery, re-enactments, animation, exhibitions and events.
During 2027 subsidised bus transport and food vouchers will be offered to targeted groups and there will be free entry for Durham residents at open events at Durham Castle (County Durham Day – 20 March, World Heritage Day – 17 April and a Colloquium in September) and Auckland Palace Norman Takeover and curator-led tours of Raby Castle Park during the summer in 2027.
Researchers from Durham University will recreate Norman recipes and 3D print a handling collection of Norman Romanesque architecture from Durham Castle and Staindrop church as a resource for education and outreach.
Anne Allen, Secretary of the Architectural and Archaeological Society and Manager of Durham Castle and Cathedral World Heritage Site, said: “We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players local people can make history at castles across County Durham in 2027. For example, through the World Heritage Site Youth Ambassadors young residents, aged 12-24, will work with singer-songwriter Steve Pledger to write and perform a new song about this important period in Durham’s history and cultural identity”.
Marian Morrison, Chair of County Durham Forum for History and Heritage, said: “The Forum is excited to be involved with this project, it will enable our membership to fulfil local goals of keeping our history in the present. County Durham is so lucky to have such strong links with the Norman period which sadly are not always easily accessed. This funding will allow so many doors to be opened for Durham residents to explore and find out about our rich Norman heritage. Well done.”
Community groups interested in participating in the project in 2027 should contact: