Palace Green

{{other uses}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site | child = | WHS =  | image = File:Durham Cathedral from Palace Green.jpg | image_upright = 1.2 | caption = Palace Green from opposite Durham Cathedral | location = Durham, England | part_of = Durham Castle and Cathedral | criteria = {{UNESCO WHS type|(ii), (iv), (vi)}}(ii), (iv), (vi) | ID = 370bis | coordinates = {{coord|54|46|28|N|1|34|33|W|region:GB-DUR_type:landmark|display=title, inline}} | year = 1986 | extension = 2008 | locmapin = Durham | map_caption = | Criteria = }} '''Palace Green''' is an open space in the centre of Durham, England, flanked by Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle. The Cathedral and Castle together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Although initially not part of the site itself, Palace Green was added to the UNESCO site in 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://whc.unesco.org/archive/2008/whc08-32com-inf8B1ADDe.pdf | title=UNESCO World Heritage Convention - Evaluations of Cultural Properties, pp101}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dur.ac.uk/news/newsitem/?itemno=6941&rehref=%2Fnews%2Farchive%2F&resubj=%20Headlines | title= Durham's World Heritage Site expands | date=2008-09-20 | accessdate=2008-12-21}}</ref>

It is situated on top of the narrow, high peninsula formed by a sharp bend in the River Wear. The cathedral is on the southern side, facing the castle across the green on the north side. To the east are Durham University buildings including the law, theology, classics and history departments, with the music department and the university's special collections library to the west.

From the north and east Palace Green is accessed by two cobbled streets called Owengate (formerly Queen's Street) and Dun Cow Lane, the latter taking its name from a local legend involving a milkmaid and her cow. From the west a passageway, 'Windy Gap', leads down to the banks of the River Wear between two buildings which are now part of the university's music department. Early in the twentieth century one of the buildings was the home of the novelist J. Meade Falkner, author of ''Moonfleet''.

In summer, Palace Green is sometimes used by students of Durham University as a croquet lawn with the permission from the groundsman of University College Durham.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-03-11|title=Things we've actually heard Durham students say this week|url=https://thetab.com/uk/durham/2017/03/11/overheard-in-durham-34704|access-date=2021-05-20|website=Durham University|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=University|first=Durham|title=University College|url=https://www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/colleges/university/|access-date=2021-05-20|website=www.durham.ac.uk|language=en-gb}}</ref>

'Palace Green' is also the name of a hymn tune written by Michael Fleming (1928–2006) while a music student at the university, used for the hymn 'Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above'.<ref>{{cite web|date=2006-02-24|title=Michael Fleming|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2006/24-february/gazette/michael-fleming|accessdate=2008-03-15|publisher=Church Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316150000/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2006/24-february/gazette/michael-fleming|archive-date=16 March 2021}}</ref>

==History==

Palace Green served as the main market square of Durham until it was cleared under Bishop Flambard in the early 12th century, when the area was reserved for administrative buildings for the County Palatine of Durham and the market moved north to the current Market Place.<ref name="Palace Green Survey">{{cite web|url=https://www.durhamworldheritagesite.com/files/palace-green-survey.pdf|title=Land at Palace Green Durham City County Durham|date=July 2009|author=Archaeological Services, Durham University|access-date=10 December 2025}}</ref> A 14th century document refers to Palace Green as having "the houses intended for the offices of the Chancery, Exchequer, and Receipt; a hall for the Pleas of Justice; a granary; a large grange; and various other rooms on the west side of the said space pertaining to the old gaol before the lord built anew the tower called ‘le Northgate’ at the entrance to the castle where his gaols now are by his ordinance; and a house for coining money built on the east side of the said space", as well as the Archdeacon's Inn.<ref name="Palace Green Survey"/>

Two schools were established (one for plainsong and one for grammar) on the east side of the green by Bishop Langley in 1414 and were later refounded by Henry VIII in 1541 following the dissolution of Durham Abbey. Around 1438, Bishop Neville constructed the Exchequer building on the northwest corner of the green, which is the oldest surviving structure besides the castle and cathedral. During the English Civil War, the Scottish army captured Durham in 1640 and burnt some of the buildings on Palace Green, including the two schoolhouses. Following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Bishop Cosin built a number of structures on Palace Green, many of which survive today.<ref name="Palace Green Survey"/>

Following the establishment of Durham University in 1832, many of the buildings on Palace Green were handed over to its use and new buildings including lecture rooms (now Palace Green Library) were constructed.<ref name="Palace Green Survey"/>

The Durham Light Infantry held their final parade in front of their Colonel-in-Chief, Princess Alexandra, on Palace Green in 1968.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sacristy.co.uk/blogs/blog/remembering-durham-light-infantry|website=Sacrity Press|title= Remembering the Durham Light Infantry|author=David Lowther|date=10 December 2018}}</ref>

During the COVID-19 pandemic, marquees on Palace Green were used as a testing centre run by the university.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sigsworth|first=Tim|title=Covid-19 updates: University's lateral flow tests available to book from tomorrow|url=https://www.palatinate.org.uk/covid-19-updates-michaelmas-2020/|access-date=2021-05-20|website=Palatinate|language=en-GB}}</ref> It was also the site of a student encampment for 43 days in May and June 2024 as part of the global pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses that year.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.palatinate.org.uk/pro-palestinian-encampment-to-conclude-before-graduation-after-university-notice/|title=Pro-Palestinian encampment to “conclude” before graduation after University notice|date= June 20, 2024|author1=Will Dixon|author2= Lily Gershon|work=Palatinate}}</ref>

==Buildings on Palace Green== Listed clockwise from south:

* Durham Cathedral – grade I.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England| num= 1161023 |desc=Cathedral Church of Christ and St Mary the Virgin |grade=I |accessdate=29 January 2023}}</ref> * Divinity House, Durham University Department of Music (formerly grammar school) – grade II*.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England| num= 1160796 |desc=Old Grammar School (University Music Department) |grade=II* |accessdate=29 January 2023}}</ref><ref name=music>{{cite web|url=https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/music/about-us/facilities-and-equipment/|title=Facilities and Equipment|website=Department of Music|publisher=Durham University|access-date=30 March 2025}}</ref> * Durham University Department of Music technology suite (formerly music library) – grade II.<ref name=music/><ref>{{National Heritage List for England| num= 1322866 |desc=Music Library |grade=II |accessdate=29 January 2023}}</ref> * Palace Green Library (original Durham University library, now houses special collections, exhibitions and a café) – grade II.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England| num= 1310414 |desc=University Library |grade=II |accessdate=29 January 2023}}</ref> * Cosin's Library – grade II*.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England| num= 1121382 |desc=Cosin's Library (University Library)|grade=II* |accessdate=29 January 2023}}</ref> * 15th century Exchequer Building (now part of university library) – grade I.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England| num= 1160838 |desc=Former Exchequer Building, now University Library|grade=I |accessdate=29 January 2023}}</ref> * Durham Castle (home of University College) – grade I.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England| num= 1121383 |desc=The Castle West Range|grade=I |accessdate=29 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{National Heritage List for England| num= 1160921 |desc=The Castle North Range|grade=I |accessdate=29 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{National Heritage List for England| num= 1322867 |desc=Castle Gatehouse, Entrance Gateway, Side Walls, Linking Walls And Front Wall|grade=I |accessdate=29 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{National Heritage List for England| num= 1322868 |desc=The Keep (University College)|grade=I |accessdate=29 January 2023}}</ref> * University College master's house – grade II.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England| num= 1160983 |desc=9 Owengate|grade=II |accessdate=29 January 2023}}</ref> * Moneyer's Garth (university stonemasons yard). * Bailey Court (University College accommodation). * Cosin's Hall (former college, now the university's Institute of Advanced Study) – grade II*.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England| num= 1121384 |desc=Bishop Cosin's Hall|grade=II* |accessdate=29 January 2023}}</ref> * Bishop Cosin's Almshouses (until 2020 a café) – grade II.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England| num= 1310306 |desc=Former Grammar School (University Police Office)|grade=II |accessdate=29 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{National Heritage List for England| num= 1121385 |desc=Cosin's Almshouses|grade=II |accessdate=29 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{National Heritage List for England| num= 1161005 |desc=Former Writing and Plainsong School|grade=II |accessdate=29 January 2023}}</ref> * The Pemberton Rooms (the Durham Union Society) – grade II.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England| num= 1121386 |desc=Pemberton Buildings|grade=II |accessdate=29 January 2023}}</ref> * Abbey House, Durham University Department of Theology and Religion – grade II.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England| num= 1121387 |desc=Abbey House (Department of Theology) Buildings|grade=II |accessdate=29 January 2023}}</ref>

{{wide image|Palace Green Durham Panorama.jpg|1000px|Panorama view of Palace Green, showing Durham Cathedral to the left, the old University Library in centre, and University College and Owengate to the right.}}

==References== *Margot Johnson. "Palace Green" in ''Durham: Historic and University City and surrounding area''. Sixth Edition. Turnstone Ventures. 1992. {{ISBN|094610509X}}. Page 4. {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Palace Green}} * [http://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk Durham Cathedral Website] * [https://archive.today/20121223093945/http://www.durham.ac.uk/croquet.club/ Durham University Croquet Club] * [https://www.dur.ac.uk/palace.green/ Palace Green Library]

Category:Buildings and structures of Durham University Category:Durham, England Category:Parks and open spaces in County Durham