University College ('The Castle') at the University of Durham

University College at the University of Durham

Robert J. O’Hara (rjohara@post.harvard.edu)

University College at the University of Durham, commonly known as “the Castle,” was the first of the Durham residential colleges, established in 1832 at the time of the founding of the university. The central buildings of the college are those of Durham Castle, constructed soon after the Norman Conquest and continuously occupied ever since. These informal photos by Robert J. O’Hara were taken during a speaking visit to Durham. For more information about residential colleges please visit the main Collegiate Way page.

[Durham Castle, the home of University College, Durham, viewed from the west]

Durham Castle, the home of University College, viewed from the west. This honest-to-goodness medieval castle houses Durham undergraduates and most of the offices and common rooms of University College.

[Main entrance to the Castle (University College) from Palace Green, Durham]

The main entrance to University College as seen from Palace Green, Durham.

[Formal entrance hall near the SCR and dining hall of the Castle, Durham University]

The formal entrance hall near the Senior Common Room and dining hall of University College at the University of Durham.

[Coffee before dinner in the SCR of the Castle, Durham]

Coffee before dinner in the Senior Common Room of University College, Durham.

[Formal dinner in the medieval hall of the Castle, Durham University]

Weekly formal dinner in the great medieval dining hall of University College (The Castle) at the University of Durham.

[The master's wine cellar in the Castle, University of Durham]

The master’s wine cellar in University College, Durham. (A secret: The bottles are in fact all empty souvenirs accumulated over several years of entertaining in the college.)

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University College at the University of Durham