Durham World Heritage Site Management Plan
DURHAM CATHEDRAL AND CASTLE WORLD HERITAGE SITE MANAGEMENT PLAN
What is a World Heritage Site?
- World Heritage Sites are of international importance for the conservation of cultural and natural heritage.
- There are currently 812 World Heritage Sites globally - including the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Canyon.
- The UK currently has 26 World Heritage Sites including the Tower of London, Hadrian’s Wall and Stonehenge.
- Durham Cathedral and Castle became a World Heritage Site in 1986.
Why is Durham Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site important?
Once the home of the powerful Prince-Bishops, Durham Cathedral and Castle is of outstanding universal value for its medieval architecture. The iconic Norman Cathedral and its associated Castle, set within the surviving remains of the medieval bailey and defensive wall, creates an unforgettable skyline and a unique townscape. Sir Nikolaus Pevsner – architectural historian – described Durham Cathedral and Castle as “one of the great experiences of Europe” and The Sunday Times called it, “one of the most sublime places on earth”.
What is a Management Plan?
Through wide consultation, the Management Plan provides a strategy for conserving the World Heritage Site that meets the needs of the Site’s users and visitors. It is not a statutory document, but an advisory framework to inform decisions about the management of the Site.
The Management Plan aims to:
- Conserve the Site
- Enhance the character of the Site and its surroundings for the benefit of local communities and visitors
- Maintain the Site’s active role as a religious, educational and residential environment
To ensure that the Plan reflects the views of as many people as possible, a wide range of interested organisations and local residents were consulted on the draft document before it was formally published and sent to DCMS for sign-off.
What will the Management Plan deliver?
- Will identify and describe the significance of the Site.
- Outlines a vision that places the WHS at the heart of Durham
- Sets out proposals for:
o Management of the Site and its setting
o Conserving the architecture and historical significance of the Site
o The sustainable use of the site
o Enhancing the understanding of the Site
o Improving access and sustainable transport - Sets out agreed priorities for action
- Maximise the benefits of tourism locally and the wider region
Who was involved in the preparation of the Plan?
The Management Plan was funded by One NorthEast. It was prepared by heritage consultants Chris Blandford Associates on behalf of the Durham Cathedral and Castle World Heritage Site Management Plan Steering Group. A Co-ordinating Committee oversees the future implementation of the Plan.
The Steering Group and Co-ordinating Committee include representatives from:
- The Department of Cultural, Media and Sport (DCMS) http://www.culture.gov.uk/
- Durham Cathedral Chapter http://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/
- Durham City Council http://www.durhamcity.gov.uk/
- Durham County Council http://www.durham.gov.uk/
- English Heritage http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/
- ICOMOS-UK http://icomos-uk.org/
- One NorthEast http://www.onenortheast.co.uk
- St John’s College http://www.dur.ac.uk/st-johns.college/
- St Chad’s College http://www.dur.ac.uk/StChads/
- University of Durham http://www.dur.ac.uk/
Durham WHS Management Plan [pdf]
(4.01 MB)
