# Palace Green

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For other uses, see [Palace Green (disambiguation)](/source/Palace_Green_(disambiguation)).

UNESCO World Heritage Site in Durham, England

Palace Green UNESCO World Heritage Site Palace Green from opposite Durham Cathedral Interactive map of Palace Green Location Durham, England Part of Durham Castle and Cathedral Criteria Cultural: (ii), (iv), (vi) Reference 370bis Inscription 1986 (10th Session) Extensions 2008 Coordinates 54°46′28″N 1°34′33″W / 54.77444°N 1.57583°W / 54.77444; -1.57583 Palace Green Location of Palace Green in Durham, England

**Palace Green** is an open space in the centre of [Durham, England](/source/Durham%2C_England), flanked by [Durham Cathedral](/source/Durham_Cathedral) and [Durham Castle](/source/Durham_Castle). The Cathedral and Castle together form a [UNESCO World Heritage Site](/source/UNESCO_World_Heritage_Site).

Although initially not part of the site itself, Palace Green was added to the [UNESCO](/source/UNESCO) site in 2008.[1][2]

It is situated on top of [the narrow, high peninsula](/source/The_Bailey) formed by a sharp bend in the [River Wear](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Dun_Cow#Durham). 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](/source/J._Meade_Falkner), author of *[Moonfleet](/source/Moonfleet_(novel))*.

In summer, Palace Green is sometimes used by students of [Durham University](/source/Durham_University) as a croquet lawn with the permission from the groundsman of [University College Durham](/source/University_College_Durham).[3][4]

'Palace Green' is also the name of a [hymn tune](/source/Hymn_tune) written by Michael Fleming (1928–2006) while a music student at the university, used for the [hymn](/source/Hymn) 'Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above'.[5]

## History

Palace Green served as the main market square of Durham until it was cleared under [Bishop Flambard](/source/Ranulf_Flambard) in the early 12th century, when the area was reserved for administrative buildings for the [County Palatine of Durham](/source/County_Palatine_of_Durham) and the market moved north to the current Market Place.[6] 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.[6]

Two schools were established (one for [plainsong](/source/Plainsong) and one for [grammar](/source/Grammar_school)) on the east side of the green by [Bishop Langley](/source/Thomas_Langley) in 1414 and were later refounded by [Henry VIII](/source/Henry_VIII_of_England) in 1541 following the dissolution of [Durham Abbey](/source/Durham_Abbey). Around 1438, [Bishop Neville](/source/Robert_Neville_(bishop)) 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](/source/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](/source/Stuart_Restoration) in 1660, [Bishop Cosin](/source/John_Cosin) built a number of structures on Palace Green, many of which survive today.[6]

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.[6]

The [Durham Light Infantry](/source/Durham_Light_Infantry) held their final parade in front of their Colonel-in-Chief, [Princess Alexandra](/source/Princess_Alexandra_(born_1936)), on Palace Green in 1968.[7]

During the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic_in_the_United_Kingdom), marquees on Palace Green were used as a testing centre run by the university.[8] 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](/source/2024_pro-Palestinian_protests_on_university_campuses) that year.[9]

## Buildings on Palace Green

Listed clockwise from south:

- [Durham Cathedral](/source/Durham_Cathedral) – grade I.[10]

- Divinity House, [Durham University Department of Music](/source/Durham_University_Department_of_Music) (formerly [grammar school](/source/Durham_School)) – grade II*.[11][12]

- Durham University Department of Music technology suite (formerly music library) – grade II.[12][13]

- Palace Green Library (original [Durham University library](/source/Durham_University_Library), now houses special collections, exhibitions and a café) – grade II.[14]

- [Cosin's Library](/source/Cosin's_Library) – grade II*.[15]

- 15th century Exchequer Building (now part of university library) – grade I.[16]

- [Durham Castle](/source/Durham_Castle) (home of [University College](/source/University_College%2C_Durham)) – grade I.[17][18][19][20]

- University College master's house – grade II.[21]

- Moneyer's Garth (university stonemasons yard).

- Bailey Court (University College accommodation).

- Cosin's Hall ([former college](/source/Bishop_Cosin's_Hall), now the university's [Institute of Advanced Study](/source/Institute_of_Advanced_Study_(Durham))) – grade II*.[22]

- Bishop Cosin's Almshouses (until 2020 a café) – grade II.[23][24][25]

- The Pemberton Rooms (the [Durham Union Society](/source/Durham_Union_Society)) – grade II.[26]

- Abbey House, Durham University Department of Theology and Religion – grade II.[27]

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.

## See also

- [Durham Cathedral](/source/Durham_Cathedral)

- [Durham Castle](/source/Durham_Castle)

- [Durham Castle and Cathedral](/source/Durham_Castle_and_Cathedral)

- [Durham Cathedral College](/source/Durham_Cathedral_College)

- [The Bailey](/source/The_Bailey)

## References

- Margot Johnson. "Palace Green" in *Durham: Historic and University City and surrounding area*. Sixth Edition. Turnstone Ventures. 1992. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [094610509X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/094610509X). Page 4.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["UNESCO World Heritage Convention - Evaluations of Cultural Properties, pp101"](https://whc.unesco.org/archive/2008/whc08-32com-inf8B1ADDe.pdf) (PDF).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Durham's World Heritage Site expands"](http://www.dur.ac.uk/news/newsitem/?itemno=6941&rehref=%2Fnews%2Farchive%2F&resubj=%20Headlines). 20 September 2008. Retrieved 21 December 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Things we've actually heard Durham students say this week"](https://thetab.com/uk/durham/2017/03/11/overheard-in-durham-34704). *Durham University*. 11 March 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** University, Durham. ["University College"](https://www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/colleges/university/). *www.durham.ac.uk*. Retrieved 20 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Michael Fleming"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210316150000/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2006/24-february/gazette/michael-fleming). Church Times. 24 February 2006. Archived from [the original](https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2006/24-february/gazette/michael-fleming) on 16 March 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2008.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Palace_Green_Survey_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Palace_Green_Survey_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Palace_Green_Survey_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Palace_Green_Survey_6-3) Archaeological Services, Durham University (July 2009). ["Land at Palace Green Durham City County Durham"](https://www.durhamworldheritagesite.com/files/palace-green-survey.pdf) (PDF). Retrieved 10 December 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** David Lowther (10 December 2018). ["Remembering the Durham Light Infantry"](https://www.sacristy.co.uk/blogs/blog/remembering-durham-light-infantry). *Sacrity Press*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Sigsworth, Tim. ["Covid-19 updates: University's lateral flow tests available to book from tomorrow"](https://www.palatinate.org.uk/covid-19-updates-michaelmas-2020/). *Palatinate*. Retrieved 20 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Will Dixon; Lily Gershon (20 June 2024). ["Pro-Palestinian encampment to "conclude" before graduation after University notice"](https://www.palatinate.org.uk/pro-palestinian-encampment-to-conclude-before-graduation-after-university-notice/). *[Palatinate](/source/Palatinate_(newspaper))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Cathedral Church of Christ and St Mary the Virgin (Grade I) (1161023)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1161023?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Old Grammar School (University Music Department) (Grade II*) (1160796)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1160796?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-music_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-music_12-1) ["Facilities and Equipment"](https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/music/about-us/facilities-and-equipment/). *Department of Music*. Durham University. Retrieved 30 March 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Music Library (Grade II) (1322866)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1322866?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["University Library (Grade II) (1310414)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1310414?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Cosin's Library (University Library) (Grade II*) (1121382)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1121382?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Former Exchequer Building, now University Library (Grade I) (1160838)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1160838?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["The Castle West Range (Grade I) (1121383)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1121383?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["The Castle North Range (Grade I) (1160921)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1160921?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Castle Gatehouse, Entrance Gateway, Side Walls, Linking Walls And Front Wall (Grade I) (1322867)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1322867?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["The Keep (University College) (Grade I) (1322868)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1322868?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["9 Owengate (Grade II) (1160983)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1160983?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Bishop Cosin's Hall (Grade II*) (1121384)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1121384?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Former Grammar School (University Police Office) (Grade II) (1310306)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1310306?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Cosin's Almshouses (Grade II) (1121385)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1121385?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Former Writing and Plainsong School (Grade II) (1161005)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1161005?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Pemberton Buildings (Grade II) (1121386)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1121386?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** [Historic England](/source/Historic_England). ["Abbey House (Department of Theology) Buildings (Grade II) (1121387)"](https://HistoricEngland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1121387?section=official-list-entry). *[National Heritage List for England](/source/National_Heritage_List_for_England)*. Retrieved 29 January 2023.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Palace Green](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Palace_Green).

- [Durham Cathedral Website](http://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk)

- [Durham University Croquet Club](https://archive.today/20121223093945/http://www.durham.ac.uk/croquet.club/)

- [Palace Green Library](https://www.dur.ac.uk/palace.green/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Palace Green](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_Green) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_Green?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.