Cosin's Library, Durham

Tucked between Durham Cathedral and the Castle, Cosin’s Library offers a calm step back into the scholarly world of the 1600s. Founded by Bishop John Cosin after the turmoil of the English Civil War, it was created as a “public” library in an age when books were rare and expensive. Today, the wood-panelled room, tall sash windows, and ranks of leather-bound volumes give visitors a vivid sense of how learning once looked and felt-quiet, ordered, and beautifully crafted.

What makes a visit special isn’t only the setting but the books themselves. Many are early printed works from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, covering theology, law, science, and the classics. You’ll notice hand-tooled bindings, handwritten notes in the margins, and the occasional quirky title that hints at past intellectual fashions. Exhibits often rotate to showcase treasures from the collection, so even returning visitors tend to find something new.

Cosin’s Library sits within the Palace Green Library complex, part of Durham University, which means it’s easy to combine with other small exhibitions nearby. Plan on 30–45 minutes for a gentle look around, longer if you enjoy reading labels and studying bindings. Check current opening hours before you go, as access can vary during university terms and special events. Photography is usually limited, and large bags may need to be stowed, so travel light. When you step back outside, you’re already in the heart of UNESCO-listed Durham-perfect for a stroll around the Cathedral close or a coffee on the cobbled streets just beyond the Green.