Museum

Welcome to The DLI Museum

The story of The Durham Light Infantry - County Durham's own Regiment.

For 200 years (1758-1968) soldiers of the DLI served around the world - from South Africa to Borneo, from Normandy to New Zealand.

The DLI Museum remains one of the North of England's finest military museums. It tells the story of one of the most famous County Regiments in the British Army. More importantly, it tells the story of ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives. 

- The stories of Crosier Surtees, Jimmy Durham and Horatio Robley illustrate the early years of the regiment, along with a display of uniforms, headgear and silver.

- The First World War is interpreted through a trench like area, with uniforms and weapons brought to life through the stories of those who took part.

- See the gun on which Newcastle's Adam Wakenshaw laid down his life to save his battalion from destruction and gained the Victoria Cross.

- Visit the Medal Room which contains campaign medals from Crimea to Korea, including eight original Victoria Crosses, and understand what made these men 'Local Heroes'.

 We have worked hard to produce an event every day of the school holidays and for the first time we're delighted to be offering special toddler sessions! See the museum events page for more details.

- For families we've got a series of art and craft Family Drop In Activities,

- For adults and children over five we have Art in the Museum,

- For toddlers we have Mini Artists - Craft and Story Telling Sessions,

- For those people interested in the museum collections our visitor assistants will run a series of Handling Sessions.

- And for those people who have a keen interest in the DLI and the army more generally there will be a Talks programme.

Finally don't forget to visit our café for a drink and light snack. You may also want to take home a unique souvenir of your visit from our well stocked gift shop.

We all look forward to seeing you soon at the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery!