Visitors to Durham Castle can step back nearly 1,000 years thanks to a new immersive light and sound installation in one of England's oldest Norman buildings.
'Jewel of the North' transforms the Castle's historic Grade I listed Norman Chapel through cutting-edge projection art and sound, including music and storytelling.
The artwork is a permanent installation in Durham Castle's Norman Chapel – one of the oldest surviving Norman stone buildings in England.
The experience forms part of the public tours of Durham Castle, which is home to University College.
'Jewel of the North' explores the dramatic years following the Norman Conquest and reveals how Durham became a key part of England’s Norman story.
Using the original words of Anglo-Saxons and Normans, the experience recreates the voices, beliefs and culture of medieval England.
Visitors are taken from the aftermath of the Battle of Hastings to the construction of Durham Castle, discovering the people, events and traditions that shaped medieval Durham.
The installation makes innovative use of the chapel's architecture with projections illuminating centuries-old carvings, including the chapel’s famous mermaid.
Ancient prayers, poetry, chronicles and music fill the space, helping visitors experience the sights and sounds of Norman England.
Created by award-winning artists Ross Ashton and Karen Monid of The Projection Studio, 'Jewel of the North' was developed in collaboration with our historians, heritage specialists, academics and students.
The voices and music featured throughout the installation are performed by members of our University community.
The Norman Chapel dates from the 1070s and 1080s, shortly after William the Conqueror's invasion of England.
The installation highlights Durham’s place within one of the UK’s best-preserved Norman landscapes and shows how the chapel can help tell a much wider story of conquest, faith and community.
'Jewel of the North' also forms part of a wider programme of activities exploring Norman heritage.
It will contribute to the 2027 Year of the Normans celebrations, marking 1,000 years since the birth of William the Conqueror, while paving the way for future exhibitions examining daily life in Norman Durham.
Learn more about Jewel of the North and Book a tour of Durham Castle
See more about Durham Castle, home to University College, and Durham’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.
'Jewel of the North' is supported by Durham's Castle Research Group, Heritage 360.
More about The Projection Studio.
Our Department of History is ranked second in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2027. Visit our History webpages for more information on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Learn more about Transformative Humanities at Durham University.
The Wolfson Foundation awarded £80,000 to the project in 2019 to support the restoration and interpretation of the 11th century Grade I listed Norman Chapel at Durham Castle.
Main picture (L-R): Gillian Rennie, Curator (Castle and College), University College, Durham University, Dr Anne Allen, Senior Manager Durham Castle and Cathedral UNESCO World Heritage Site Partnership, and Professor Giles Gasper, Professor in High Medieval History, Department of History, Durham University, in the Castle’s Norman Chapel. The chapel is hosting the 'Jewel of the North' sound and light projection as a permanent fixture of Durham Castle's public tours.
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