Discover 10 Exhibitions Across the Culture County in 2025

Explore the cultural wonders of the Culture County and dive into a world of art, music, and culture at every turn and discover enthralling exhibitions across the Culture County. We have picked a few highlights below…

Student Art Prize: Paradise

Durham University’s fifth annual Student Art Prize showcases artwork from current Durham University students. The theme for this year is Paradise, a subject intended to enable a wide range of interpretative exploration and creative reflection. Each student has responded to the Student Art Prize theme and created artworks and narratives they feel are important and want to communicate. The Student Art Prize exhibition is on display at the Palatine Centre until March 31.

Welcome to our County: The Children of Yesterday and Tomorrow at The Story

 ‘Welcome to our County: The Children of Yesterday and Tomorrow’ has been devised and created by Durham Youth Council and is currently on show at The Story. The exhibition showcases the fascinating untold stories of children from County Durham’s past. Drawing on objects and documents from The Story’s extensive collections, the exhibition shines a light on children throughout history, including the Roman Empire, Medieval times, Victorian era and more. The exhibition is on display at The Story until April 1.

S&DR200 Festival

This nine-month international festival will take place across Durham and Tees Valley from March to November 2025. The festival is inspired by the first journey on the S&DR which gave birth to the modern railway. The Story’s exhibition will focus on the impact the Stockton & Darlington Railway had on the region and local people. You will be able to listen to authentic voices from letters, diaries, court papers, and other day-to-day records from their collections. Locomotion will highlight the innovation at the heart of S&DR with a line-up of iconic locomotives and rail vehicles that will speak to 200 years of railway history. Also, there will be additional S&DR related exhibitions and displays including exhibitions at the Mining Art Gallery, the Bowes Museum and Raby Castle from March 1 to 30 November. 

From Joséphine Bowes Trendsetters and Trailblazers at The Bowes Museum

A landmark exhibition honouring the pioneering spirit and 200th anniversary of museum co-founder, Joséphine Bowes. This visually stunning exhibition showcases three centuries of eclectic art and creativity including a curated selection of works from The Bowes Museum’s collection and major loans from across the UK, Europe and United States. Expect to see an extraordinary mix of paintings, sculptures, textiles and ceramics from world-renowned artists including Pablo Picasso and Sir Grayson Perry CBE. The exhibition offers a glimpse into how Joséphine’s remarkable understanding of artistic trends and cross-genre approach to collecting might have shaped the collection today, the exhibation is aviable to see from 8 February to 29 June.

Shakespeare Recovered: Durham's First Folio at Palace Green Library

In December 1998, the Durham First Folio, a copy of William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies, was stolen along with six other items while on display in Cosin’s Library. For a decade, there was no news of the missing books and Durham University had to accept that the First Folio was lost. But the story didn’t end there…

In 2008, a badly damaged book was brought to the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington D.C. The book was presented to experts as a newly discovered copy of the First Folio that needed authentication for sale. Staff at the Folger quickly recognised the possibility that this book was in fact Durham’s missing copy and after verification it was returned to its rightful home on Palace Green. The exhibition tells the story of what happened next and how the conservation team made the First Folio accessible again. The exhibition is available to see April 1 to November 2.

Fuelling the Railway Revolution at the Mining Art Gallery

This exhibition explores the link between coal mining and railways, highlighting how mining powered railway development. Coal fueled iron, iron made rails, and rails moved coal, completing the Industrial Revolution's engineering cycle. The Great Northern Coalfield was a key player in this transformation. Discover this story through the work of artists who witnessed and were inspired by these changes from June 27 at the Mining Art Gallery

Meet the Art Collection: Local Artists

See a selection of works by contemporary artists working in the North East. The Meet the Art Collection exhibition is on display at The College, Library on 2 April, giving you a chance to immerse yourself in the vibrant world of art created by talented local artists.

Celebrating 60 years of the Pennine Way 1965-2025.  

Throughout 2025 there will be a rolling exhibition along the Pennine way trail, showcasing how people have been inspired by the trail and inspiring others to get out and walk the route. ‘60 Years of the Pennine Way: A Trail of Inspiration’ will will feature artists, poets, musicians from July 1 to 31 August.

Magna Carta and the North at Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral will have on display three issues of Magna Carta, including the only surviving 1216 issue and further engrossments from 1225 and 1300, along with three Forest Charters including one of only two surviving 1217 issues, and further issues from 1225 and 1300.

Recognised as being one of the most important documents in history, Magna Carta was first issued in 1215. It established the principle that everyone is subject to the law, even the King himself, and guaranteed the rights of individuals, the right to justice and the right to a fair trial. With three clauses from the 1225 Magna Carta still in force today, the document remains a cornerstone of British democracy.  The Magna Carta and the North will be on display at Durham Cathedral from July 11 to 2 November.

Lumiere

Lumiere’s 9th edition will take centre stage across the Culture County this November with a brand-new programme promising to feed the imagination with magic and joy. Transforming the city into an illuminated art gallery with spectacular artworks and exclusive commissions by UK and internationally renowned artists. This year, Lumiere 2025 will continue to enchant visitors and locals in a revised format, taking place over three evenings from the 13 to 15 November.

 Get ready to dive into a world of art, music, and culture in 2025 across the Culture County. Make an enthralling exhibition part of a great getaway to Durham.