Palace Green

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UNESCO World Heritage Site
Durham Union Palace Green.jpg
Pemberton Building, Abbey House (Theology Department) and Cathedral, all facing onto Palace Green
Location Durham, England, United Kingdom
Part of Durham Castle and Cathedral
Criteria Cultural: (ii), (iv), (vi)
Reference 370bis
Inscription1986 (10th Session)
Extensions2008
Coordinates 54°46′28″N1°34′33″W / 54.77444°N 1.57583°W / 54.77444; -1.57583
Durham map small.svg
Red pog.svg
Location of Palace Green in Durham, England

Palace Green is an area of grass in the centre of Durham, England, flanked by Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle. The Cathedral and Castle together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Contents

Although initially not part of the site itself, Palace Green was added to the UNESCO site in 2008. [1] [2]

It is situated on top of the narrow, high peninsula formed by a sharp bend in the River Wear. The Cathedral is on the southern side, facing the Castle across the Green on the north side. To the east are Durham University buildings including the law, theology, classics and history departments, with the music department and the university's special collections library to the west.

From the north and east Palace Green is accessed by two cobbled streets called Owengate (formerly Queen's Street) and Dun Cow Lane, the latter taking its name from a local legend involving a milkmaid and her cow. From the west a passageway, 'Windy Gap', leads down to the banks of the River Wear between two buildings which are now part of the university Music School. Early in the twentieth century one of the buildings had been the home of the novelist J. Meade Falkner, author of Moonfleet .

In summer, Palace Green is sometimes used by students of Durham University as a croquet lawn on permission from the groundsman of University College Durham. [3] [4]

'Palace Green' is also the name of a hymn tune written by Michael Fleming (1928-2006) while a music student at the university, for the hymn 'Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above'. [5]

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, marquees on Palace Green were used as a testing centre run by the University. [6] It was also the site of a student encampment for 43 days in May and June 2024 as part of the global pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses that year. [7]

Durham Cathedral from Palace Green.jpg
Palace Green from the north, with Durham Cathedral beyond

Buildings on Palace Green

Listed clockwise from south:

Palace Green Durham Panorama.jpg
Panorama view of Palace Green, showing Durham Cathedral to the left, the old University Library in centre, and University College and Owengate to the right.

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References

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  5. "Michael Fleming". Church Times. 24 February 2006. Retrieved 15 March 2008.
  6. Sigsworth, Tim. "Covid-19 updates: University's lateral flow tests available to book from tomorrow". Palatinate. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  7. Will Dixon; Lily Gershon (20 June 2024). "Pro-Palestinian encampment to "conclude" before graduation after University notice". Palatinate .
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