Chorister School, Durham

Nestled within the atmospheric heart of Durham Cathedral’s precinct-commonly known as The College-The Chorister School boasts one of the city’s most historic and beautiful architectural settings. Its Grade I listed buildings, once part of a prebendal medieval house and extensively remodelled in the Georgian and Tudor Revival styles, sit within the Durham Castle and Cathedral UNESCO World Heritage Site. The buildings’ sandy stone facades, Gothic fanlight entrances, and castellated parapets reflect centuries of ecclesiastical heritage, offering a striking backdrop as you explore the cathedral close.

For over 600 years, the school served as the foundational training ground for Durham Cathedral’s choirboys, merging academic excellence with a deep-rooted musical tradition. Today, as part of the Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation, it welcomes pupils aged 3 to 13, nurturing young minds in small, caring classes within buildings that once housed clergy and cathedral officials. The school's curriculum combined strong academics, sport, drama, and music-especially choral performance, theory, piano, and orchestral instruments-making it a centre of cultural and educational excellence.

Although the school formally merged with Durham School in 2021, its legacy remains deeply embedded in the city's fabric. Visitors walking through the green cloisters and arched gateways of The College can still sense the scholarly hustle of choristers arriving for rehearsal and lessons, echoing centuries of contemplative learning. Whether you're on a guided walking tour around the cathedral close or simply soaking up panoramic views of Durham Cathedral across the River Wear, the distinctive buildings of The Chorister School offer a vivid portal into the city's medieval and musical heritage.