Durham Market Hall History Tours

Step behind the stalls and discover centuries of history on a Durham Market Hall History Tour, guided by local historian and archivist David Butler.

This free 45-minute walking tour takes you around the Market Place and inside Durham Market Hall, a Victorian covered market with stories stretching back far beyond its opening in 1851. Built on the site of the Neville family’s medieval palace, the Market Hall has been at the heart of the city’s trade and community life for over 170 years.

As you explore the building and its surroundings, you’ll uncover fascinating tales from Durham’s past:

• The Market Place’s role as a medieval trading hub in the 12th century

• The ambitious Victorian project that created the Market Hall we know today

• Strange and surprising features of the building’s past – including areas once used as holding cells for prisoners, now home to independent traders such as Ink Cell Tattoo Studio

• The Market Hall’s role as a lively community hub, surviving refurbishments and evolving with the city

David’s expert knowledge brings the history of the Market Hall and Market Place to life, weaving together stories of commerce, community, and everyday life in Durham across the centuries.

📍 Meeting point: outside the top of the Market Hall entrance ramp, Market Place, Durham City
🕰️ Tour duration: approx. 45 minutes
💷 Price: Free (advance booking required)

Places are limited. To reserve your spot on the Durham Market Hall History Tour, email marketing@durhammarkets.co.uk or call 0191 384 6153.

Discover the secrets of one of Durham’s most historic buildings – and see the Market Hall in a whole new light.