Ultreya GB 2025 Durham

FRIDAY 5th:

• Join us for Choral Evensong at Durham Cathedral beginning at 5.30pm followed by a guided tour afterwards and dinner in the Cathedral Restaurant (to be booked in advance).

PLEASE NOTE: The meal in the Cathedral Restaurant is now SOLD OUT!
(You can still submit a form to be put on the reserve list in case of any cancellations)

SATURDAY 6th:

• Ultreya – 9 am arrival and registration for a 10 am start at Elvet Methodist Church, Durham.
• Walk of Witness – 1.30pm outside the Cathedral on Palace Green
• Eucharist – 2pm start at Durham Cathedral

The agenda

Choral Evensong on Friday 5th will start at 5.30pm in Durham Cathedral. The tour will start at 6.30 pm prompt. This is offered after hours, so we will get the place to ourselves. After the tour, we will go for dinner in the Cathedral restaurant around 7.30pm. The tour and dinner will cost £25. A menu will be sent to those to make their choice once payment has been received. Unfortunately, no refunds can be given. For catering purposes, we need all bookings in by Friday 15th August. 

On Saturday, our Ultreya will open its doors for registration at 9am for a 10 am start. Singing to Gather will start at 9.30am. Elvet Methodist Church (DH1 3HL) is not too far from the centre of Durham, opposite the famous County Hotel (ish!). Once the Ultreya is finished, you will have an hour and a half before gathering near Durham Cathedral for our Walk of Witness. We suggest finding somewhere in town for lunch (if you have somewhere in mind, maybe book ahead), or if you bring a picnic lunch with you, we have an area at Elvet Methodist in the hall to offer you. It will be first come first served.

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Parking

The Main carpark in Durham is the Prince Bishops Car Park and is located right in the heart of Durham City and is the closest car park to Elvet Methodist and the Cathedral. The car park has 400 spaces, including 22 accessible parking bays located on Level 1.

With ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) and contactless payment technology available, parking in Prince Bishops Place, Durham Car Park could not be easier – you’ll just need to remember your registration number. It will cost £11.50 for 6+ hours.

Park and Ride

We recommend using the Park and Ride system if possible. Belmont Park and Ride site (PR1) is located on the A690, approximately 300 metres east of Junction 62 off the A1.

Car parks are open from 7.00am to 7.00pm, Monday to Sunday. Buses run every 15 minutes. The bus leaves Belmont Park and Ride at 00, 15, 30 and 45 minutes past the hour. The first bus is at 7.00am and the last bus is at 6.30pm.  Get off the bus at Leazes road underpass.

For the other Park and Ride options, please click the link here

By Train

If arriving by train, there is a bus direct from the station to the Cathedral. The Cathedral Bus service links Durham train station with the city centre, marketplace and Durham Cathedral and Castle. Elvet Methodist church is a 5-minute walk from the Marketplace.

The buses are suitable for wheelchair users and families with children’s buggies.

Tickets cost £1 (50p for children 15 years and under) and are valid all day.

Bus passes are valid for free travel after 9.30am Monday to Friday and all-day Saturday and Sunday.

Durham Park and Ride or Explorer North East ticket holders can travel for free. So, if you get a Park and Ride ticket into Durham, you can use your ticket to get the bus from outside Boots in the Marketplace which will take you direct to the Cathedral.

Accessibility

Essentially, the Cathedral is no more than 10 mins walk from Elvet Methodist church, or any of the car parks in town. Elvet Methodist in only a 5 minute walk from the Marketplace.  However, a lot of it is up hill. The Cathedral Bus from outside Boots in the Market Place, can take away some of the hill element for you if you need accessibility assistance.

Donations
You will be invited, on arrival, to make a contribution towards the cost of the Ultreya.  A card reader will be available as well as receptacles for cash donations.  Durham Cathedral makes no charge for the use of their facilities for the Eucharist.  There will, however, be a retiring collection.  It is a tremendous privilege that we are given free use of this magnificent building (at the centre of the World Heritage Site) and we hope that Cursillistas will be generous in  their support.

Durham Cathedral

Parking at the Cathedral isn’t advised, mainly because there aren’t many spaces, the road is a stress to drive up due to all the pedestrians, and there is a Toll of £5 per day. If you are worried about travel and accessibility, please don’t let it hinder your journey. We can help, so get in touch.