Aykley Heads Cultural Venue

As the UK's National Centre for Light Art, this new venue will draw on Durham's many associations with light, from the Venerable Bede's Lunar Calendar to Durham University's work on the James Webb Space Telescope and the biennial Lumiere festival.

Occupying the site of the former Durham Light Infantry Museum and Art Gallery building and its grounds, it will bring together art and science to look to the future and celebrate the county's creativity.

Entry to the venue will be free of charge, in line with the belief that the Durham Light Infantry belongs to us all.

Expected to attract between 60,000 and 150,000 visitors a year, the venue will be refurbished and expanded to include a dedicated space to display key objects from the DLI Collection as well as an exhibition centre, gallery, and a café.

Work will also be carried out to preserve and enhance the grounds of the building to create a reflective garden area.

Learn more about the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) regiment collection.