A Light by the Cathedral

The College was the former outer court of the Durham monastery. Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII in the late 1530s, it was converted into the accommodation for the Dean and 12 Prebends.

Periodic remodelling has given the buildings of the College a Georgian appearance, but they are essentially medieval buildings, all of which retain at least part of their original fabric.

The Deanery is the largest residence in the Church of England (excluding bishops' palaces) and is home to the Dean of Durham (and formerly the priors of the monastery). Many of the buildings in The College are now home to members of the Cathedral clergy and other staff, as well as housing part of the Cathedral Library and the Chorister School.