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A family sitting together reading

Families and Lifelong Learning

Durham University Library and Collections offer a range of fun, engaging and accessible workshops, resources and experiences for people of all ages. Find out more below and we look forward to welcoming you to our venues. 

Families and Children 

Discover the incredible collections in our venues for families of all ages with our wide-ranging family programme suitable for multiple age groups.

A parent and child are sat smiling whilst colouring in a craft activity in the Silk Roads Gallery of the Oriental Museum
Families
Child in high-vis jacket taking part in Durham Archaeology Explorers
Durham Archaeology Explorers
An image of a young boy holding a piece of artwork he and his parent, sat to his left have made together. The boy is stood, his mother is sat on the floor.
Under-fives
Crowd of people taking part in the powder throw at Holi Festival. The people are jumping in the air and are covered in coloured powder.
Festivals

Lifelong Learning

People of all ages want to learn and explore, discover our offer for learners of all ages and abilities. Learn something new, discover incredible stories in our collections and meet like-minded people in our welcoming and friendly spaces.

Learn more

Lifelong Learning Groups

We welcome lifelong learning groups such as the University of the Third Age (U3A), Women’s Institute (WI), Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) and more.
Lifelong learning group member taking part in a workshop handling museum objects.

Creative Age

Creative Age is a free, weekly art group for people living with dementia or other long-term health challenges and their carers.
A pair of older participants at Creative Age

Visiting Clubs and Groups

We welcome lifelong learning groups such as Rainbows, Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, Guides or other adult or children's community groups at all our venues.

Book Club

The Library and Collections Book Club meets on the last Thursday of every month from 5pm - 6pm in the Oriental Museum café.
A group of people taking part in the Book Club

Upcoming events

Family Activities: Perfect Perfume

Saturday 4 July, 2026
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Traces of the oily contents of this vessel can still be seen both around the stopper and smeared on the body. The inscription records the name and queenly titles of Hatshepsut as principal wife of Tuthmosis II. The vessel may have been withdrawn from royal stores to be presented as a gift to the burial of one of Hatshepsut’s favoured officials.

Life Drawing at Palace Green Library 

Saturday 4 July, 2026
1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Historic Libraries
Line drawing of a person with text Life Drawing at Palace Green Library

Art Talk: Shafts of Light

Saturday 4 July, 2026
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Oriental Museum
Painting of miners moving heavy coal tub. The miner's helmets have torches with powerful shafts of light shining through the darkness

Family Activities: Wonderful Weather Dolls

Saturday 11 July, 2026
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Image of people crafting and creating at family activities.
View all upcoming events

 

 

People taking part in an accessible touch tour event and handling museum objects.

Accessibility

Support for neurodiversity, physical access and more information can be found here for our programmes and workshops.

Accessible workshops