11 Jul 2025
Press release - Magna Carta and the North exhibition opens at Durham Cathedral inviting visitors to reflect on power, justice, and legacy
Durham Cathedral opened its doors today to a powerful new exhibition, Magna Carta and the North, inviting visitors to explore one of the world’s most iconic documents and its enduring relevance in today’s society.
Further images can be downloaded here - https://durhamcathedral.box.com/s/r0h0c70al0pohhkstf7u75c1l4wa5ijc
Celebrating the 800th anniversary of the 1225 issue of Magna Carta, alongside immersive art installations, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to reflect on timeless values such as accountability of leaders, protection of the vulnerable and equality.
The Very Revd Philip Plyming, Dean of Durham says,
"This exhibition is more than a window into the past—it is a mirror held up to our present. Magna Carta and the North invites us to reflect not only on the foundations of justice and liberty in our nation’s history, but also on the enduring call of the Christian faith to seek justice and equality for all human beings made in the image of God. As individuals and communities, we are challenged to consider how we uphold these values today, and how we shape a society that serves the common good with integrity and compassion."
Opened by The Right Honourable The Baroness Hale of Richmond, former President of the UK Supreme Court, the exhibition has already had an overwhelming response. During its opening day, visitors who viewed the Magna Cartas up-close and also paused to reflect on the immersive artworks described the experience as 'amazing' and 'striking' whilst others defined it as 'breath-taking' and 'powerful'.
A key feature of the exhibition is a series of contemporary art installations that respond to the themes of Magna Carta, creating a dialogue between past and present. Among them is the lumious, "The Words That Bind Us"- a large-scale, participatory installation that invites visitors to reflect on the power of language, law, and shared values.
Projected onto the floor of the Nave, the piece creates a rippling river of words that reinterprets the spirit of Magna Carta and its continuing call for justice in today’s world.
Artist Nicola Anthony says,
“The Words That Bind Us is a conversation across centuries—rooted in the ideals of the Magna Carta and shaped by the voices of today. It’s a living river of light and language, inviting visitors to reflect on justice, compassion, and community. I hope people leave with a deepened connection to this sacred space, and a sense of belonging to something larger.”
Visitors can also see large-scale voiles created by artist and photographer Ash Mills. These vibrant, stained-glass-inspired illustrations are suspended in the Galilee Chapel and between the Cathedral’s columns, telling the story and influence of Magna Carta through powerful visual symbolism.
Andrew Usher, Chief Officer for Visitor Experience and Enterprise says:
“Magna Carta and the North is more than a historical display - it’s an invitation to reflect on the values that continue to shape our society. Seeing the 1216, 1225 and 1330 issues of Magna Carta in person is a rare experience. Whether you're drawn by history, art, or if current events are making you want to explore what justice and equality mean today, this exhibition offers a unique and thought-provoking journey for visitors of all ages.”
Running alongside the exhibition is a rich programme of events designed to deepen engagement with the themes of Magna Carta and the North. Visitors can enjoy a variety of talks, tours, panel discussions, and family-friendly events.
The exhibition is now open and runs until 2 November 2025. On display in Durham Cathedral Museum will be the only surviving 1216 Magna Carta, along with issues from 1225 and 1300, and three Forest Charters - practical documents granting access to land and natural resources.
Tickets for the Museum cost £7.50 for adults and will be free for under 18s. There is no admission charge to enter Durham Cathedral, donations are welcome.
For more information visit www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/magnacarta
Contact Information
Clare Knowles
Head of Marketing & Digital
Durham Cathedral
clare.knowles@durhamcathedral.co.uk
Notes to editors
Please get in touch if you would like further information or images
Magna Carta, or the ‘Great Charter’, has been described as the most famous document in English history and a cornerstone of modern democracy. First issued in 1215, it was the first document that put into writing that the king and his government were not above the law, in order to prevent the king from exploiting his power. With three clauses from the 1225 Magna Carta still in force today, the document remains a cornerstone of British democracy.
Durham Cathedral is a Christian Church of the Anglican Communion, the shrine of St Cuthbert, the seat of the Bishop of Durham and a focus of pilgrimage and spirituality in North East England. It inhabits a treasured sacred space set in the natural and human landscape of the World Heritage Site.
Its purpose is to worship God, share the gospel of Jesus Christ, welcome all who come, celebrate and pass on its rich Christian heritage and discover its place in God’s creation.
The building of Durham Cathedral commenced in 1093 and took around 40 years to complete. It replaced a Saxon cathedral built by the Community of St Cuthbert after it arrived in Durham in 995 following its flight from the ‘Holy Island’ of Lindisfarne 80 miles North of Durham. The body of St Cuthbert is enshrined in the Feretory at Durham Cathedral and the Tomb of the Venerable Bede is in The Galilee Chapel. The Cathedral existed as a Benedictine Monastery until 1539 when it became one of the Church of England’s major Cathedrals.
It continues to be a focus for pilgrimage and attracts visitors from all over the world. The Cathedral has internationally important collections of artefacts, manuscripts and books that include St Cuthbert’s coffin and his pectoral cross; superb examples of Anglo-Saxon craftsmanship. Durham Cathedral is often referred to as the best example of Romanesque architecture in Europe, or as American writer Bill Bryson put it, ‘the best Cathedral on planet earth.’
Since its construction Durham Cathedral has been alive with people and a centre for community activity. The Cathedral is home to a vibrant worshipping community and continues to celebrate the English Choral Tradition with sung services by its highly acclaimed Choir. As a new century unfolds Durham Cathedral aspires to enrich the many different ways in which it engages with people and organisations. It is cherished equally by those who live, work and study in the region and by those who come to visit.
Find more information at www.durhamcathedral.co.uk
Powered by Onclusive PR Manager © 2025