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Oriental Museum
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Oriental Museum

See all things to do
See all things to do
Oriental Museum
4.5
#3 of 87 things to do in Durham
History Museums
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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About
The Oriental Museum is free entry to all visitors. Current opening times are 10am-5pm, Tuesday to Friday and 12pm-5pm, Saturday to Sunday. Thursday the museum is open until 7pm.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
369 reviews
Excellent
256
Very good
95
Average
14
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Stephen W
Farington Moss, UK1 contribution
Interesting
Sep 2023 • Family
OK but probs a bit too detailed/serious for kids to follow & understand
But fairly good overall
Written 9 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill A
4 contributions
Small is beautiful
Sep 2023 • Friends
A hidden gem. The Hiroshima/Nagasaki exhibition is particularly powerful.
Well worth a visit and the staff are lovely.
Written 5 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ruby c
Newton Aycliffe, UK2 contributions
An amazing visit
Aug 2023 • Family
Took the kids out today and it was amazing. They loved the quiz trail and colouring station. Meanwhile I loved learning about ancient China. Our favourite together was the ancient Egypt room as it had a huge mummy inside. We would all say it was a good day out.
Written 4 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael Elliott
County Durham, UK6 contributions
Hidden gem
Aug 2023 • Family
The Oriental museum is a hidden gem. This museum is free entry for families and has a lot to offer. We went as a family of 7. Two adults and five children. The museum offered good interaction with the children, the opportunity to wear the clothing on the respective culture along with drawing and colouring in stations.
The children found it very educational, whilst completing the quiz as we walked around the venue and the knowledge of the staff for any questions was very good. Really please we went here. Thank you for being so welcoming.
Written 10 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Visitor Services Assistant
Thanks so much for visiting with your family. We are often described as a 'hidden gem' as there is a lot to see when you get there and we try to make the museum accessible to all. Hopefully see you again soon!
Written 21 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PompeyTk
Portsmouth, UK22 contributions
Engaging, interesting and FREE !!
Jul 2023 • Solo
Excellent museum much bigger and far better than I expected. A little out of town but walkable and regular buses if, like today, it's raining. Four floors that kept me engaged and interested culminating in a very poignant temporary Nagasaki/Hiroshima exhibition I expect partly timed to coincide with the opening of the Oppenheimer film
Written 23 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Visitor Services Assistant
Thank you for your visit and pleased you made the trip to visit despite the rain! Hiroshima and Nagasaki is a temporary exhibition so hopefully you will be back to see what we have on next!
Written 25 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JVR77
St. Albans, UK137 contributions
Wonderful museum - and free
Jul 2023
This museum was certainly much more impressive than we expected, given that entry is free. Exhibits are all interesting, very well presented and displayed. It is probably the best museum we have ever visited for providing seating and there was thoughtful attention to the needs of disabled visitors. Very well worth a visit.
Written 18 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Visitor Services Assistant
Thank you for your visit and kind words. We try really hard to make sure that the museum is accessible for all so it is great to hear of your experience.
Written 25 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
junkbond007
Norwich, UK73 contributions
Terrific free museum
Jul 2023 • Couples
Great place to visit for a few hours especially on a wet day. Four floors of fascinating artefacts from the ancient Orient. Ice cream, snacks and a hot drinks machine available.
Written 15 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Visitor Services Assistant
Thank you for your visit on a wet day! There is a lot to see and hopefully you'll come back again soon.
Written 25 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Beccy C
111 contributions
Hidden gem that's free
May 2023
Unusual place as you enter on the top floor. There are 3 floors below that are accessible by lift if you can't manage stairs. Interesting exhibits, and enjoyed learning about different times in history. Worth a visit
Written 28 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Visitor Services Assistant
Thank you for your visit and recommendation for others to visit too!
Written 25 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
1999misha
Edinburgh, UK28 contributions
Four Floors of Fascinating Exhibits
May 2023 • Couples
What a fantastic place for an afternoon visit. So much to see and learn. A gem of a place hidden amongst the university buildings. Behind the unassuming entrance lies 4 floors of awesome Oriental exhibits.
Spanning China,Japan,Asia and Egypt.
Would recommend starting on the bottom floor China, working upwards because this floor is so well laid out i according to dynasties which then helps for understanding time periods in terms of BCE and CE.
Can't pick a favourite floor!
Also has a small coffee and snack area and a gift shop with well priced and beautiful merchandise.
It was on the 2nd visit a couple of days later that I discovered the room I had missed which contained a real "mummy" which was impressive.
Well worth a visit at least 2 to 3 hours
Written 23 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Visitor Services Assistant
Thank you for your visit and coming to see us twice! Hope to see you again soon to see our changing exhibition programme.
Written 25 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mobile519904
5 contributions
Enjoyable visit
Apr 2023 • Couples
Although I have lived in County Durham all my life and worked in the City, this is the first time I have visited the museum. I very much enjoyed the visit, helpful staff and informative information sheets on the exhibits. Free entrance and parking. Very reasonably priced souvenir shop.
Written 29 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Visitor Services Assistant
Thank you for your visit. It is like having a hidden gem on your doorstep! Now you know what we have to offer please come back and see us again soon.
Written 16 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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ORIENTAL MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Oriental Museum
Oriental Museum is open:
  • Tue - Wed 10:00 - 17:00
  • Thu - Thu 10:00 - 19:00
  • Fri - Fri 10:00 - 17:00
  • Sat - Sun 12:00 - 17:00