A County Durham heritage and registration venue has attracted almost 60,000 people in its first five
months – more than twice the number of visitors projected.
From its opening day on Friday 14 June to the end of November, The Story welcomed 57,763
people, and is on track to double its annual target by the end of the 2024/25 financial year. More
than 3,000 documents and objects from the Durham County Council venue’s historic collections
have been viewed in person – up 34 per cent on previous years – with thousands more accessed
digitally in The Story’s Search and Discover space. The venue’s new and enhanced online search
facility has received more than 35,000 hits.
Many children and families have attended a range of activities and workshops in The Story’s
Learning Studio.
Located in the recently restored Mount Oswald House, The Story is also home to the County
Registration Service and has proven a popular wedding venue. Between Monday 17 June and
Saturday 30 November, the team conducted 328 marriage and civil partnership ceremonies. They
also took 920 notices for marriage, registered 985 births and conducted 171 citizenship ceremonies.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with one visitor writing: “Fabulous centre, with
excellent free parking and free entry. Lots of quality interactive experiences. Super little cafe with
fabulous views and beautiful open space where children could run. Very pleasant and helpful staff.”
Another wrote: “Can highly recommend. We got married here just over a week ago. Stunning
setting and the registrars were brilliant guiding us through everything. The manor house gave a
beautiful back drop for our pictures.”
Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships,
said: “It’s wonderful to see so many people visiting and enjoying The Story.
“Restoring a grade II listed manor house and relocating more than six miles of archives, 15,000
objects and our entire registration service was no mean feat, and we did encounter challenges along
the way. However, hearing the feedback from visitors and seeing the smiles on people’s faces as
they learn more about County Durham and celebrate their own special milestones, has made it all
worthwhile.
“There are lots of exciting things coming up at The Story and we are looking forward to welcoming
even more people in 2025 and beyond.”
A gateway to the history of County Durham and its people, The Story is home to five collections of
historic records, documents and objects, including the Durham Light Infantry Collection and Archive.
There is a Search and Discover space for visitors to access digital content using enhanced search
facilities and cutting-edge tools, including A1; a Collections Room where people can request to see
and examine original documents; and a free interactive exhibition space and café.
The Story also hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions, which have so far shone a light on the
Battle of a Kohima, and lesser-known stories of children from County Durham’s past. The latter,
which runs until the spring, is called Welcome to our County: The Children of Yesterday and
Tomorrow and has been curated by Durham Youth Council.
As a registration venue, meanwhile, The Story’s Georgian ceremony rooms and the ceremonial
staircase provide an elegant backdrop for weddings, civil partnerships and vow renewing
ceremonies.
The Story is open every day and entry is free. To find out more about the venue, including
upcoming events and activities, visit www.thestorydurham.org
Information about Christmas opening times is available at www.thestorydurham.org/visit .
