Durham Crown Court

Durham Crown Court is a courthouse in County Durham featuring architectural elements from 1811, with solid stone construction and formal design characteristic of judicial buildings of that era. The building contains multiple courtrooms and continues to handle serious criminal cases.

The building was constructed in 1811 and has operated continuously as a courthouse since then, spanning more than two centuries of legal proceedings in the region. Its long operation reflects the stable institutional framework of English justice over this period.

The courthouse serves as a vital public institution where serious criminal cases are heard and justice shapes the community's daily life. Visitors can observe how the proceedings and the formal space emphasize the importance of law in society.

The building is located near the River Wear and requires visitors to pass through metal detectors and present identification at entry due to strict security protocols. Access is limited since it operates as an active courthouse, so visitors should check in advance which areas are open to the public.

The building holds Grade II* status, placing it among the top 6 percent of protected structures in England and specially recognizing its architectural heritage. This classification acknowledges the quality of its stonework and formal design from that period.