Oriental Museum
With a National Art Pass you get
The Oriental Museum in Durham houses amazing artefacts from across Japan, China, Egypt, and the Indian subcontinent.
Part of the University of Durham, the museum was founded in 1960 to house an increasing collection of artefacts used by the School of Oriental Studies. The Oriental Museum is the only museum in the north of England dedicated solely to the art and archaeology of North Africa and Asia.
Journey through continents
The museum boasts a collection of over 23,500 artefacts, spanning millennia. The geographically organised galleries allow you to focus on specific areas or embark on a comprehensive journey across continents.
What to see
Explore ancient Egyptian mummies, exquisite Chinese porcelain crafted for the imperial court, or lose yourself in the intricate details of Edo period wood block prints, Japanese anime movie cells, and vintage kimonos. The museum also features artefacts from the Himalayas, Korea, Southeast Asia, and many more regions.
Events and exhibitions
Beyond its permanent collection, the Oriental Museum hosts a program of temporary exhibitions, talks, art workshops, and special evening events. Look out for seasonal festival celebrations too.
Learning for all ages
From sessions for the under 5s to creative workshops for lifelong learning groups, art groups for people living with dementia to an archeology club for 7-11 year olds, the Oriental Museum goes the extra mile when it comes to educating the local community.
Visitor information
Address
Durham University, Elvet Hill, Durham, County Durham, DH1 3TH
01913 345694
Opening times
Opening Hours as of February 2023:
Tuesday to Friday between 10am-5pm
Selected Thursdays until 7pm (see our Events page for dates)
Saturday and Sunday between 12pm-5pm
The Oriental Museum is currently offering free entry to all visitors.
Visitor information
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.