See three rare Magna Cartas for the first time in eight years at Durham Cathedral’s new exhibition, Magna Carta and the North, recognising the 800th anniversary of the 1225 issue in our collection. Until 2 November 2025, the only surviving 1216 Magna Carta, along with issues from 1225 and 1300, and three Forest Charters will be on display in Durham Cathedral Museum.
Magna Carta, the ‘Great Charter’, is perhaps the most famous document in English history. First issued in 1215, it was the first document that put into writing that the king and his government were not above the law. With three clauses from the 1225 Magna Carta still in force today, the document remains a cornerstone of British democracy. Many cathedrals just kept the most recent version of Charters and disposed of earlier, outdated issues, but at Durham they were carefully stored away for future reference.
The rare documents are on display as part of the exhibition alongside contemporary artworks and interactive installations throughout the cathedral that tell the story of these 800-year-old documents which remain a powerful symbol of social justice in the world today.
The Words That Bind Us
Sculptor and artist Nicola Anthony‘s contemporary work projects river of light onto the cathedral floor. It imagines a more compassionate and fair society and reinterprets the spirit of Magna Carta and its continuing call for justice in today’s world.
Written collaboratively with the public, this collective vision of a ‘Modern Charter’ continues to evolve each day. As you walk through the words, they will ripple and flow. After seeing issues of the Magna Carta in the Museum, visitors have the opportunity to choose a word or phrase that resonates most, so the principles that matter the most ripple and grow in real-time.
‘Stained-glass’ Voiles
Gaze up to huge voiles and banners in the west end of the cathedral and in the Galilee Chapel created by artist and photographer Ash Mills. Large voiles and banners hang between the columns and tell the story and influence of Magna Carta through ‘stained-glass’ illustrations.
24/7 Secure Parking for Durham Cathedral
Walkergate Durham is located just a short walk from Durham Cathedral, and provides 24/7 secured parking for visitors to the World Heritage Site – perfect if you’re planning a trip to visit the Magna Carta and the North exhibition!
