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Our services: Libraries and site information: 5 The College

An overview of our libraries

5 The College is a Grade II Listed Building within the cathedral close (called 'The College' in Durham).  It is home to the Durham Cathedral Archive and other collections.

Access to the archive collections is available.

Opening Times and Contact Details

Access is strictly by appointment

Appointments are normally available for the following days:

  • Wednesday: 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm
  • Thursday: 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm

5 The College
DURHAM
DH1 3EQ

Tel: +44 (0)191 334 1210 
Online enquiry form

Ask DULib

Contact us through our enhanced virtual enquiry desk, Ask DULib. Search our FAQs, email us, or chat with a librarian. 
Ask DULib is available to all students, staff and users.

Ask DULib, Library Help

5 The College DH1 3EQ, view of building

How to access 5 The College

On-site access to the Archives and Special Collections is available for members of Durham University and external researchers.  You will need to make an appointment, for which use our online enquiry form.

Please see our separate guides to reprographics services and to accessing the collections virtually, if you are unable to visit in person.

For information on the collections that are managed at 5 The College, see:

Visit Us

The building is within the Cathedral Close (called ‘The College’) located on the south side of the cathedral. Number 5 is at the left side of the main terrace of houses. 

  • Access to The College is through an archway on North Bailey, just before you reach St John’s College 

  • We are at number 58 on the Durham City map or can be found by searching for DH1 3EQ on Google Maps. 

Appointments are required for all visits.  Please use the metal doorbell when you arrive, at the top of the stone steps (see under Accessibility).

There is no car parking available for our visitors within The College.  

The University welcomes the use of face coverings in shared indoor spaces on campus. Details of all our safety measures can be found on our Visiting our Buildings guide.

If you are feeling unwell, please stay at home and try to avoid contact with people. Please visit the University webpages for more details.

There are steps at the front of the building and our archives search room is located on the first floor with no lift access. If no lift access would cause difficulties for you, please mention this when making an appointment and we can make alternative arrangements to access the collections stored here. 

An Access Guide is available from the AccessAble website.