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A family sitting together reading

Families and Lifelong Learning

Durham University Library and Collections offer a range of fun, engaging and accessible workshops, resources and experiences for people of all ages. Find out more below and we look forward to welcoming you to our venues. 

Families and Children 

Discover the incredible collections in our venues for families of all ages with our wide-ranging family programme suitable for multiple age groups.

A parent and child are sat smiling whilst colouring in a craft activity in the Silk Roads Gallery of the Oriental Museum
Families
Child in high-vis jacket taking part in Durham Archaeology Explorers
Durham Archaeology Explorers
An image of a young boy holding a piece of artwork he and his parent, sat to his left have made together. The boy is stood, his mother is sat on the floor.
Under-fives
Crowd of people taking part in the powder throw at Holi Festival. The people are jumping in the air and are covered in coloured powder.
Festivals

Lifelong Learning

People of all ages want to learn and explore, discover our offer for learners of all ages and abilities. Learn something new, discover incredible stories in our collections and meet like-minded people in our welcoming and friendly spaces.

Learn more

Lifelong Learning Groups

We welcome lifelong learning groups such as the University of the Third Age (U3A), Women’s Institute (WI), Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) and more.
Lifelong learning group member taking part in a workshop handling museum objects.

Creative Age

Creative Age is a free, weekly art group for people living with dementia or other long-term health challenges and their carers.
A pair of older participants at Creative Age

Visiting Clubs and Groups

We welcome lifelong learning groups such as Rainbows, Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, Guides or other adult or children's community groups at all our venues.

Book Club

The Library and Collections Book Club meets on the last Thursday of every month from 5pm - 6pm in the Oriental Museum café.
A group of people taking part in the Book Club

Upcoming events

Beastly Guardians

Saturday 17 May, 2025
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Ancient Egyptian Anubis statue depicting a seated dog painted black which has flaked away revealing the white clay underneath. The dog has long pointed ears and a red collar around its neck.

Twilight Talk: Curious Collections - The Museum of Archaeology’s Long (and Possibly Longer) History

Thursday 22 May, 2025
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Museum of Archaeology
A black and white photograph of a door at the Almshouse on Palace Green with the word Museum on the door.

Camel Caravan

Saturday 24 May, 2025
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Earthenware model of a Bactrian camel, covered in cream slip and brown, lead glaze, made for burial purpose.

Botanic Garden Fun Day 2025

Monday 26 May, 2025
11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Botanic Garden
Botanic Garden Fun Day children jumping near the pond
View all upcoming events

 

 

People taking part in an accessible touch tour event and handling museum objects.

Accessibility

Support for neurodiversity, physical access and more information can be found here for our programmes and workshops.

Accessible workshops