Durham Fringe 2025 | 23 – 27 July
A good starting point if you would like general information on accessibility in County Durham is AccessAble: Durham, Durham City Car Parks and Durham Public Toilets.
This year’s venues
| Address | 1 First Floor, Owengate House, Durham, DH1 3HB |
|---|---|
| Contact | [email protected] |
| Summary | A picturesque and much-loved café located upstairs from the junction of Owengate and Saddler Street, a stone’s throw from the Castle and Cathedral. The venue can be accessed only via a single flight of 15+ steps. There is no lift. |
| AccessAble Guide | N/A |
| Toilets | A single standard unisex toilet is located up a few steps from the level of the venue. No Accessible or Gender Neutral toilets or Baby Changing facilities |
| Lift(s) | No |
| Parking | Prince Bishops multi-storey (DH1 3UJ) car park is a ten minute walk away from the Cafédral. Please allow plenty of time for parking as car parks can be busy in the evening. |
| Address | 66 Saddler Street, Durham, DH1 3NP |
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| Contact | [email protected] |
| Summary | Fabio’s Bar (above the ever popular La Spaghettata restaurant) is a perennial favourite with students and locals alike. Unfortunately there is no lift and Fabio’s can be accessed only via [3] steep flights of 15+ stairs. |
| AccessAble Guide | N/A |
| Toilets | Male and Female standard toilets. No Accessible or Gender Neutral toilets or Baby Changing facilities |
| Lift(s) | No |
| Parking | Prince Bishops multi-storey (DH1 3UJ) car park is a ten minute walk away from the Cafédral. Please allow plenty of time for parking as car parks can be busy in the evening. |
Durham SU (Dunelm House) – Fonteyn Ballroom & Vane Tempest
| Address | Dunelm House, New Elvet, Durham , DH1 3AN |
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| Contact | [email protected] |
| Summary | Dunelm House is Durham University’s Student Union building. It was opened in 1966 and is a Brutalist concrete building with wonderful views of the River Wear. Unfortunately access is challenging as it is set over 5 floors (Levels A to E) with 15+ steps between each floor and there is no passenger lift. |
| AccessAble Guide | AccessAble: Dunelm House |
| Toilets | Accessible toilets are located on Levels C and D. Female standard toilets are located on Levels A, B and C. Male standard toilets are located on Levels A, B and C. Gender neutral toilets are located on Level D. Baby changing facilities are located on Level D. |
| Lift(s) | There is a stair lift on each set of stairs which can take a single wheelchair. However, it would take 20 minutes to get from the top floor of the building to the bottom floor of the building. In addition each stair lift emits a loud warning sound whilst in motion and so may not be used during performances. If you wish to use the stair lift please discuss it with the Fringe in advance of your visit ([email protected]). |
| Level A | This is the top level and there is level access from the street. However, there are no Fringe activities on this level. To descend to the next level (B) stairs must be used. There are 15+ steps with a handrail.
Toilets: Male and Female standard |
| Level B (Box Office) | This level may be accessed from the street but via steps only. To descend to the next level (C) stairs must be used. There are 15+ steps with a handrail.
Toilets: Male and Female standard |
| Level C (Bar / Waiting Area) | No street access. To descend to the next level (D) stairs must be used. There are 15+ steps with a handrail.
Toilets: Male and Female standard / Accessible |
| Level D (Vane Tempest) | No street access. To descend to the next level (E) stairs must be used. There are 15+ steps with a handrail
Toilets: Accessible / Baby Changing / Gender Neutral |
| Level E (Fonteyn Ballroom) | No street access. There are no toilets on this level |
| Parking | There is metered car parking on the street (Monday to Sunday) 8am to 6pm (PayByPhone) |
| Address | Millennium Place, Durham, DH1 1WA |
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| Contact | [email protected] |
| Summary | Gala Durham is a modern, purpose-built arts venue in the heart of Durham City. There are lifts to all levels and accessible toilets located throughout. |
| AccessAble Guide | N/A |
| Toilets | Located throughout |
| Lift(s) | Available to all levels |
| Parking | Walkergate multi-storey car park (DH1 1SQ) is located 30 seconds walk from Gala Durham, and is easily reached via the slip road under Milburngate bridge or via Freeman Place. Prince Bishops multi-storey (DH1 3UJ) car park is a five minute walk away from the Gala Durham. Please allow plenty of time for parking as car parks can be busy in the evening. |
Department of Music, Palace Green
| Address | Divinity House, Palace Green, Durham, DH1 3RL |
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| Contact | [email protected] |
| Summary | Divinity House, was rebuilt in 1661 and until 1844 was home to Durham School, and is a grade II* listed building and a scheduled ancient monument. The doorways have slightly raised edges and are narrower than usual doorways. The fire exits in the venue itself has a small step, but the main doorway does not. |
| AccessAble Guide | N/A |
| Toilets | There is a male and female toilet provision. The nearest accessible toilet is located in the public toilet block as you come onto Palace Green from Owengate. This is accessible with a Radar Key. |
| Lift(s) | Available to all levels |
| Parking | Prince Bishops multi-storey (DH1 3UJ) car park is a ten minute walk away from Palace Green. Please allow plenty of time for parking as car parks can be busy in the evening. |
Palace Green Stretch Tent
| Address | Palace Green, Durham, DH1 3RL |
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| Contact | [email protected] |
| Summary | An open sided stretch tent on the historic Palace Green. This unique venue is on a World Heritage Site, nestled between the stunning 11th century Durham Cathedral and magnificent Castle. As with all outside performance spaces the weather and various noise sources (airplanes, cathedral bells etc) can contribute to the experience. Please dress appropriately as it may get chilly in the evenings. There is one step up from road level to Palace Green. The venue is on grass. |
| AccessAble Guide | There is no specific guide for Palace Green but this one with the route from the Market Place to the Castle may be helpful AccessAble: Market Pl to Castle |
| Toilets | There is a public toilet block as you come onto Palace Green from Owengate.There are standard male and female toilets and an accessible toilet The accessible toilet can be opened with a Radar Key. |
| Lift(s) | Available to all levels |
| Parking | Prince Bishops multi-storey (DH1 3UJ) car park is a ten minute walk away from Palace Green. Please allow plenty of time for parking as car parks can be busy in the evening. |
| Address | 40 North Bailey, Durham, DH1 3ET |
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| Contact | [email protected] |
| Summary | Fully refurbished in 2019, this beautiful, historic theatre has been serving the city for over 120 years. The theatre is equipped with a wheelchair lift from street level to the Box Office and up to the Bar, accessible bathroom and Auditorium Balcony. This balcony has room for two wheelchairs and seats for carers. Otherwise there are 10+ steps from street level up to the Box Office and another 10+ steps to the auditorium. |
| AccessAble Guide | AccessAble: Assembly Rooms |
| Toilets | Four toilets. One is wheelchair-accessible and gender-neutral. One is gender-neutral. One is a women’s cubicle. One is a men’s toilet with one cubicle and one urinal. |
| Lift(s) | Wheelchair lift only |
| Parking | Prince Bishops multi-storey (DH1 3UJ) car park is a ten minute walk away from Palace Green. Please allow plenty of time for parking as car parks can be busy in the evening. |
| Address | Fowler’s Yard, Back Silver Street, Durham, DH1 3RA |
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| Contact | [email protected] |
| Summary | A 71-seat venue at the heart of the City’s cultural quarter in Fowlers Yard. The City Theatre does not offer disabled access; however it is suitable for anyone able to manage a few stairs at a time. |
| AccessAble Guide | N/A |
| Toilets | TBC |
| Lift(s) | No |
| Parking | Prince Bishops multi-storey (DH1 3UJ) car park is a ten minute walk away from Palace Green. Please allow plenty of time for parking as car parks can be busy in the evening. |
